gender roles in hamilton. anonymous
In the introduction to Thomas C. Foster’s book Twenty-Five Books that Shaped America, he discusses “the idea of change as something that helps develop the national character, that defines but also in some way directs who, and possibly more importantly, what we are... which is to say, the myth of America.” The myth of America he describes as “everything we think about ourselves, our history, our capabilities, our values, our interests, our most basic principles” (Foster xiv). One of the main topics of this myth is gender roles, specifically for women. In Lin Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton: An American Musical, Miranda challenges the “myth of America” described by Foster, especially in the ways he portrays women, putting them “back in the narrative” (Hamilton). Miranda challenges Thomas C. Foster’s “myth of America” by breaking gender norms and stereotypes for women by showing their major impact in the story of Hamilton. Lin Manuel Miranda tells Eliza Schuyler’s narrative in the play Hamilton to publicize her story and the impacts she had on fulfilling Hamilton’s legacy and making progressive and political change. Miranda broke certain gender stereotypes, one being the assumption that women were unintelligent. The Schuyler sisters were born into a rich family and therefore were some of the few women that got an education during this time. In the song, The Schuyler Sisters, the sisters introduce themselves to the audience as smart, funny, and ambitious young women. In this song, Angelica says the iconic line, “And when I meet Thomas Jefferson. I’ma compel him to include women in the sequel. Work!” (Hamilton). This line shows that the sisters are willing to work to advocate for women’s rights and equality. This line is one of the most famous in the entire play, as Hamilton fans appreciate all it stands for. Angelica was especially smart and would write many letters to Hamilton throughout the play discussing life and politics. These sisters,
