@article{ART003033914},
author={JUN, JOON-TAEK},
title={Reconsidering the History of Minstrel Shows: Before and after Uncle Tom’s Cabin},
journal={Journal of Modern English Drama},
issn={1226-3397},
year={2023},
volume={36},
number={3},
pages={117-144}
TY - JOUR
AU - JUN, JOON-TAEK
TI - Reconsidering the History of Minstrel Shows: Before and after Uncle Tom’s Cabin
JO - Journal of Modern English Drama
PY - 2023
VL - 36
IS - 3
PB - 한국현대영미드라마학회
SP - 117
EP - 144
SN - 1226-3397
AB - To fully analyze the most controversial plays of this century, it is important to understand the historical development of the nineteenth-century blackface minstrel show. Jim Crow was invented by T.D. Rice and the classic minstrel show created by Christy Minstrel consisted of three parts. Part I consisted of comic dialogue between the interlocutors and Tambo & Bones with songs by Stephen Foster. Part II was literally an Olio and Part III was often a skit set on a Southern plantation featuring stereotypical black characters portraying idealized plantation life and happy slaves.
Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin changed the theatrical scene. Two stage adaptations of the novel were distinct. Aiken’s version blended minstrelsy and melodrama, and the third part of Christy Minstrel frequently turned into a minstrel burlesque of the novel. After the Civil War, Christy Minstrel shows declined and all stage versions were categorized as Tom Shows. Since Tom Shows have been known as minstrelsy in the twentieth century, it becomes impossible to analyze some of the provocative pieces inspired by the structure of the classic minstrel show.
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the history of Christy Minstrel and Tom shows. In this way, this paper encourages further research on the classic minstrel structure, as The Scottsboro Boys and Tambo & Bones were inspired by Part I. Young Jean Lee’s The Shipment was a deconstruction of Olio, and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Neighbors dealt with the conflict of the Zip Coon character from Part II with the black minstrel families that Part III and the Tom Shows brought together. These plays can only be evaluated by understanding classic minstrel structure.
KW - blackface;Christy Minstrel;Stephen Foster;Uncle Tom’s Cabin;George Aiken;Tom Show
DO -
UR -
ER -
JUN, JOON-TAEK. (2023). Reconsidering the History of Minstrel Shows: Before and after Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Journal of Modern English Drama, 36(3), 117-144.
JUN, JOON-TAEK. 2023, "Reconsidering the History of Minstrel Shows: Before and after Uncle Tom’s Cabin", Journal of Modern English Drama, vol.36, no.3 pp.117-144.
JUN, JOON-TAEK "Reconsidering the History of Minstrel Shows: Before and after Uncle Tom’s Cabin" Journal of Modern English Drama 36.3 pp.117-144 (2023) : 117.
JUN, JOON-TAEK. Reconsidering the History of Minstrel Shows: Before and after Uncle Tom’s Cabin. 2023; 36(3), 117-144.
JUN, JOON-TAEK. "Reconsidering the History of Minstrel Shows: Before and after Uncle Tom’s Cabin" Journal of Modern English Drama 36, no.3 (2023) : 117-144.
JUN, JOON-TAEK. Reconsidering the History of Minstrel Shows: Before and after Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Journal of Modern English Drama, 36(3), 117-144.
JUN, JOON-TAEK. Reconsidering the History of Minstrel Shows: Before and after Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Journal of Modern English Drama. 2023; 36(3) 117-144.
JUN, JOON-TAEK. Reconsidering the History of Minstrel Shows: Before and after Uncle Tom’s Cabin. 2023; 36(3), 117-144.
JUN, JOON-TAEK. "Reconsidering the History of Minstrel Shows: Before and after Uncle Tom’s Cabin" Journal of Modern English Drama 36, no.3 (2023) : 117-144.
