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The Yankee Figure in Early American Theatre Prior to 1820

Schultz, Charles A.

Abstract Details

1970, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, Theatre.
The purpose of this study was to trace the development of the Yankee figure in American drama prior to 1820 to determine if his character served as a prototype for the popular stage Yankee specialists of the 1820's-40's. Six early American plays, the only one's extant, containing the Yankee figure were analyzed: The Contrast, The Politician Out-Witted, Tears and Smiles, Fashionable Follies, Love and Friendship, and The Yankee in England. Early non-dramatic forms, both European and American were examined, as well as the acting of the Yan­kee character before 1820. The Yankees in the six early scripts demonstrated general characteristics which were definitely similar to those devel­oped by the later Yankee specialists. Apparently, the early stage Yankee figure was influenced in its development by sim­ilar comic types created by American as well as European authors. Although the early Yankee actors followed to a degree the elevated acting style of foreign predecessors, they employed a somewhat more natural acting style. Without doubt, the early Yankee actors were inspirational instigators of a development in American comedy identified with a strong native realistic style, and they provided a variety of models on which the Yan­kee specialists of the 1820's-40's could draw.
Harold B. Obee (Advisor)

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Schultz, C. A. (1970). The Yankee Figure in Early American Theatre Prior to 1820 [Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1554464085298191

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Schultz, Charles. The Yankee Figure in Early American Theatre Prior to 1820. 1970. Bowling Green State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1554464085298191.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Schultz, Charles. "The Yankee Figure in Early American Theatre Prior to 1820." Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University, 1970. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1554464085298191

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)