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The Relevance Of Ron Chernow's Alexander Hamilton

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Hamilton’s relevance is rooted in its ability to educate. Lin Manuel Miranda did not create a musical “inspired by” the life of one of America’s founding fathers, but rather created a musical that takes the facts of the life of one of the founding fathers and presents it in a new medium. By following the actual events of Alexander Hamilton’s adult life, Hamilton gives the audience the opportunity to experience a defining point in our country’s history in a way that crosses generational and educational barriers. Up until this point, educating yourself on the lives of the founding fathers would require reading historical accounts of their lives, like Ron Chernow’s Alexander Hamilton, or watching a documentary. While valid forms of obtaining information, historical nonfiction and documentaries appeal to a particular portion of the population, and are inaccessible to members of …show more content…

In “My Shot,” the intensity with which Hamilton fights for his chance is evident both in how Miranda sings it and in the lyrics. Lyrics like “I’m just like my country / I’m young, scrappy and hungry” and “I’m a diamond in the rough, a shiny piece of coal / Tryin’ to reach my goal” convey a sense of urgency and dedication to “making it” in America, a mentality that immigrants today can identify with. Presenting a founding father primarily through his immigrant identity encourages audiences to question their own thoughts and perceptions of immigration while also giving modern American immigrants a presence on stage in the musical theater world. With immigration a critical issue during this election season, Hamilton brings together the current political world with that of America’s past, highlighting modern issues without becoming a political statement for or against any current American political

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