The Bluestocking 2023-24

puddings and knitting stockings, to playing on the piano and embroidering bags. It is thoughtless to condemn them, or laugh at them, if they seek to do more or learn more than custom has pronounced necessary for their sex. (Bronte 1: 139, ch.xii). Jane’s views of equality between men and women regarding their intellect and ambition were striking for the time. Even though in the end Jane falls into a nurturing role abandoning some of her passionate beliefs, in general she is a driven and empowering female character. Like Jane Eyre, Hamilton is set in a time when women were second-class citizens who were confined to roles as wives and mothers. They had no vote, few worked outside the home and they held no power. It is not surprising then that in a musical that retells the historical events of the American Revolution, the female characters reflect the realities of women of their time. Mariah Reynolds is an example of one such stereotypical woman. Her character reminds the audience of the value placed on women: they are sexual objects who have no voice and no backbone. She and Alexander Hamilton engaged in a sexual affair manipulated by her husband. When Hamilton received a letter from Mr. Reynolds blackmailing him, he angrily approached Mariah and the only words she could say were, “No sir! Please don’t go sir! I don’t know about any letter. I didn’t know any better. I am ruined. Please don’t leave me with him helpless. Just give him what he wants and you can have me. Whatever he wants, if you pay you can stay'' (Miranda, 1:31:59-1:32:26). Back in the time period of Hamilton, women were submissive, complacent and supposed to just go along with what the men in their lives wanted. Mariah fits into that description because whether or not she knew exactly what she was doing, she was being used as a pawn for her husband to get what he wanted. After this one song, Mariah never speaks again. She is seen on stage expressing a sorrowful look, especially when she is reading “The Reynolds Pamphlet” that Hamilton published expressing details of their affair without her consent or knowledge. Mariah’s voice is almost non existent. 43