Alexander Hamilton: Movie Analysis

Alexander Hamilton: Founding Father, writer of the Federalist Papers, Secretary of State, and rapper? In the Hamilton soundtrack Lin-Manuel Miranda tells the story of Alexander Hamilton through rap and hip-hop. Lin-Manuel Miranda tells Hamilton’s story from beginning to end. From orphaned immigrant to being killed after the War. Immigration plays an important role both in the soundtrack and in our daily lives. Through his work, Miranda expresses immigration as having a positive effect in the history of the United States.

In the article “How Lin-Manuel Miranda Shapes History” Edward Delman questions Miranda about the soundtrack for Hamilton. Preluding the interview Delman writes “Perhaps the most significant lesson the show might teach audiences, and one that has particular relevance today, is the outsized role immigrants have played in the nation’s history. Alexander Hamilton was an immigrant—a fact that Miranda repeatedly emphasizes throughout the show”. With a main character that was an immigrant Miranda can show how immigrants can influence and shape history. Immigration has been an on-going debate for many years. Later in the interview Miranda even admits “I didn’t know Hamilton was an immigrant, and I didn’t know half of the traumas in his early life.” He continues saying that “when he gets to New York…I know this guy.” This statement proves that despite being an immigrant Alexander Hamilton made an impact on American history.

In the opening sequence “Alexander