Entertaining the Nation

"Entertaining the Nation" offers a comprehensive examination of American drama from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, highlighting how plays reflected and influenced societal issues during this era of nation-building. The book explores shifts in theatrical taste, the impact of realism, and how American playwrights and themes evolved alongside political and cultural changes, from issues of equality to representations of everyday life. It also considers the international influences and the role of the theater in shaping American identity, providing a detailed look at the relationship between drama and society during this formative period.