Summary

Chapter 29, Introduction: The introduction begins with a description of the political situation in which the historical characters portrayed in the show found themselves: a presidential election (in 1800) which resulted in a virtual tie between Burr and Jefferson. This leads McCarter to a description of debates between a pair of journalists, one conservative and one liberal, about which candidate (Burr or Jefferson) they would have voted for, and why. The debates end with no resolution, but with the journalists’ shared recognition of the ultimate Americanism of the question that the columnists see the show asking: “Are my dreams big enough? Am I making the most out of my life” (257)?

Chapter 30, Introduction: Here, McCarter begins his exploration of the creative / interpretive relationship between Miranda and the enigmatic character of Aaron Burr with a description of Miranda’s process of continually refining the character, and of how...