The Melting-Pot

With a Chapter From English Humorists of To-day by J. A. Hammerton

Israel Zangwill, J. A. Hammerton

• Publisher: Read & Co. Books
• Year: 2020
• ISBN:
  9781528790055
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Film Screenplays

"The Melting Pot" is a play by Israel Zangwill. First performed in 1908, it tells the story of the Quixanos, a Russian Jewish immigrant family. In an attempt to forget the horrors of his time spent in a pogrom that killed his sister and mother, David Quixanos writes an "American Symphony" that harks forward to a fairer and safer society devoid of ethnic divisions. After falling in love with a Russian Christian immigrant named Vera, David is forced to confront the man responsible for his family's treatment in the pogrom: Vera's Father. Israel Zangwill (1864–1926) was a British author. He was a leading figure in cultural Zionism during the 19th century, as well as close friend of Theodor Herzl. In later life, he renounced the seeking of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Other notable works by this author include: "Dreamers of the Ghetto" (1898), "Ghetto Tragedies" (1899), and "Ghetto Comedies" (1907). This classic work is being republished now in a new edition complete with an introductory chapter from "English Humourists of To-Day" by J. A. Hammerton.

ACT III

April, about a month later. The scene changes to Miss Revendal's sitting-room at the Settlement House on a sunny day. Simple, pretty furniture: a sofa, chairs, small table, etc. An open piano with music. Flowers and books about. Fine art reproductions on walls. The fireplace is on the left. A door on the left leads to the hall, and a door on the right to the interior. A servant enters from the left, ushering in Baron and Baroness Revendal and Quincy Davenport. The Baron is a tall, stern, grizzled man of military bearing, with a narrow, fanatical forehead and martinet manners, but otherwise of honest and distinguished appearance, with a short, well-trimmed white beard and well-cut European clothes. Although his dignity is diminished by the constant nervous suspiciousness of the Russian official, it is never lost; his nervousness, despite its comic side, being visibly the tragic shadow of his position. His English has only a touch of the foreign in accent and vocabulary and is much superior to his wife's, which comes to her through her French. The Baroness is pretty and dressed in red in the height of Paris fashion, but blazes with barbaric jewels at neck and throat and wrist. She gestures freely with her hand, which, when ungloved, glitters with heavy rings. She is much younger than the Baron and self-consciously fascinating. Her parasol, which matches her costume, suggests the sunshine without. Quincy Davenport is in a smart spring suit with a motor dust-coat and cap, which last he lays down on the mantelpiece.

SERVANT

Miss Revendal is on the roof-garden. I'll go and tell her.

[Exit, toward the hall.]

BARON

A marvellous people, you Americans. Gardens in the sky!

QUINCY

Gardens, forsooth! We plant a tub and call it Paradise. No, Baron. New York is the great stone desert.

BARONESS

But ze big beautiful Park v...