Paper
The play “The Devil and Daniel Webster” was written by Stephen Vincent Benйt in 1938. Stephen Vincent Benйt was born in 1898 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. His education came from Yale University and the Sorbonne in Paris, France. “The Devil and Daniel Webster” has a wide array of characters, each with a distinguished personality, yet an overall temperment that would be fitting of a New England community. The main character is Jabez Stone, a wealthy New England statesman whose possition was the state senator of New Hampshire. He had started out as a farmer though, but moved up in life and, when he was about thirty years of age, married the fair woman, Mary Stone- who was in her early twenties. The fiddler, though not incredibly important, was a key character in that he provided foreshadowing.
When he said, “But the very devil’s got into that fiddle of mine.”, he was forshadowing the coming of the devil to disturb the merriments. A very key character in this play is the devil himself, which took the name of Scratch (for that was what he was called in New England communities). He had come to steal the soul of Jabez Stone, claiming that he had a right to Jabez because of a legal contract.
Last- but most certainly not least in this story- is the great Governor of New Hampshire, loved by all, Daniel Webster. Daniel Webster was not only the governor, but an excelent orator. He had a way of using words to pursued the opinion of others, sometimes by conveying feelings or emotion. The play starts out in the ornate home of Jabez and Mary Stone, right after their wedding has taken place. The Fiddler, who sat upon a Cider Barrel, played a tune on the Fiddle, and all of the guests danced to it. Basically, it was a wedding reception. At first, there was nothing more than small talk going on, but by using even this smalltalk, Benйt very accurately described the lifestyles of the New England residents.
As the play progressed, political favor of the day was expressed as Daniel Webster arived, associating himself with Jabez Stone. One man cried out, “Vote the Whig ticket!” and another, “Hurray for Daniel Webster!” Of course, political disfavor was also shown, as Scratch (the devil) portreyed himself as a lawyer from Boston, implying that the political party from Boston was disfavored. Later on, after some forshadowing by both Jabez and Mary, it is learned that Jabez had sold his soul to the devil. He had done this because of the dessolite land he had to farm, it was entirely baren, and had an abundance of large stones there. In return, the devil brought him prosperity- for a time. Jabez had become state senator, married a wonderful woman, and had friends in high places. But it did not last forever.
A small climax- more like a turning point- occurred when Scratch had driven all the guests away from fear. He then left for a short time, preparing to come back at a later time to reclaim his “prize”. Daniel Webster, however, felt confidant that he could defeat Scratch in a fair trial and/or debate. As it turned out, both happened.
When Scratch came back, they had a trial- a trial with a biased jury of the undead. A great oratory debate soon followed between Scratch and Daniel Webster. It was a fierce debate, though it did remain civil. Webster used his cunning intellect against Scratch, but in every case, either Scratch would refute his claim, or the judge at this trial, Judge Hawthorne of the Salem Witch Trials, would over-rule Daniel Webster- no matter how logical he had been. For instance, when Daniel Webster claimed that “Mr. Stone is an American citizen, and American citizen may be forced into the service of a foreign prince.”, the devil replied that he was no foreigner with “…when the first wrong was done to the first Indian, I was there. When the first slaver put out for the Congo, I stood on her deck…”. Such a trial was impossible to win, until Daniel Webster used his words to bring back memories of the undead jury- of when they had been alive and human. He appealed to them, one by one, and slowly changed the sway of the biased jury of the undead. In the end, the verdict was “not guilty”, and old Scratch was finally flung out the door. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this play by Stephen Vincent Benйt, and I would recommend reading it.
Другие работы по теме:
Devil And Tom Walker Poem Essay Research
Paper Once there was a man by the name of Tom Walker, Who had a wife, but lived only to mock her. They had lived together a few miles from Boston, In a forlorn-looking house that clearly didn t cost them.
What Is Science Essay Research Paper What
What Is Science Essay, Research Paper What is Science? Several dictionary definitions of science in Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary define science as a system of knowledge about a specific topic. The systems come from systematic, or precise, observations of natural events; a random example would be the study of the movement of a caterpillar.
Book Report Essay Research Paper The Chosen
Book Report Essay, Research Paper The Chosen, Chaim Potok The Chosen is about two Jewish boys, one a Orthodox Jew and one a Hasidic Jew, and how different and yet the same their lives are. The orthodox Jew, Reuven, is the main character of the story. He lives with his father and his mother is dead. Reuven is a very nice boy who is fourteen years old and aspires to be a Rabbi when he grows up.
Satan Lives Essay Research Paper I am
Satan Lives Essay, Research Paper I am here to let you know that satan is real. I am writing you to tell you that hell is real. I want you to know that regardless of what you think or believe that hell and the devil are as real as the chair you are sitting in. I was attacked in my house by the devil, I was paralized with fear and could not move a single finger.
Robinson Crusoe Essay Research Paper Daniel Defoes
Robinson Crusoe Essay, Research Paper Daniel Defoe?s most famous novel was published in 1719 with the full title, The Life and strange and surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. It is based, in fact, upon the experiences of Alexander Selkirk who had run away to sea in 1704 and requested to be left on an uninhabited island to be rescued five years later.
Flowers For Algeron Essay Research Paper The
Flowers For Algeron Essay, Research Paper The story “Flowers for Algernon”, by Daniel Keyes, that we read in English was about a mentally retarded person, named Charlie who had an operation to increase his intelligence, but the operation was a failure and Charlie is slow again. He wants to move now so society won t ridicule him for being slow again.
Young Goodman Brown Essay Research Paper Matt
Young Goodman Brown Essay, Research Paper Matt Hamacher YOUNG GOODMAN BROWN This story is one that is well-written while at the same time one that makes you think. We observe the main character, Goodman Brown, a somewhat common man, go from seeking goodness and perfection to the exact opposite: ending up in total failure and alienating himself from humanity.
Depression Essay Research Paper Depression
Depression Essay, Research Paper Depression Depression, it is defined by Webster’s Unabridged Edition Dictionary as: in psychology, an emotional condition, either normal or pathological,
Webster Essay Research Paper After the Whig
Webster Essay, Research Paper After the Whig Party was formed in 1834, Webster became one of its leaders, receiving the electoral vote of Massachusetts for President in 1836. In 1841 Webster was appointed secretary of state by President William Henry Harrison, a position he retained under President John Tyler.
Changes In Education Essay Research Paper There
Changes In Education Essay, Research Paper There are many significant events in the world of education. Each one changed the way that teachers taught; the way schools were run and what they learned. To this day, something new and exciting happens all the time.
The Day The Devil Struck Heaven Essay
, Research Paper The Day The Devil Struck HeavenIt was a spooky night. The shutters slammed, the Lightning cracked, everything was terrible. Satin had risen from the dead for the final show down to try to break the pearly gates of heaven that stop him from resurrecting every angel. Satin and his crew of Devil’s began their fly through the sky towards heaven to invade heaven.
A Comparitive Study Of The Work Of
The Devil Essay, Research Paper It is true that the study of the devil or evil in general as a part of the world has intrigued man for centuries. This is mostly because it is something people don’t have
Aristotelian Hero
’s Essay, Research Paper Don’t Aristotelian Hero’s Have Enlightenment? An Aristotelian hero has a hamartia, downfall, suffering and enlightenment and
Clay Calhoun Webster Essay Research Paper In
Clay, Calhoun, Webster Essay, Research Paper In 1816, soon after the end of the War of 1812, the British, who had failed to defeat the Americans in battle, attempted to shut down the newly formed American manufacturing business. They were sending over materials to the U.S. and extremely low prices in an effort to crate a stronghold over the U.S.
Dysfunctional Family Essay Research Paper FamilyWhat is
Dysfunctional Family Essay, Research Paper Family What is a dysfunctional family? According to Webster Dictionary dysfuntional means “abnormal” (Webster’s Dictionary 66), while the word Family means “related group of people.” So if you put both definitions together you get an “abnormal related group of people.” To many people in the US think that a dysfuntional family is a bunch of deranged psychos, I should know I was one of them.
The Devil And Tom Walker Human Intent
And The Aftermath Of It Essay, Research Paper The Devil and Tom Walker: Human Intent and the Aftermath of It Washington Irving, in writing “The Devil and Tom Walker”, and Stephen
Daniel Webster Essay Research Paper Born January
Daniel Webster Essay, Research Paper Born January 18, 1782, in Salisbury, New Hampshire, Daniel Webster was a central figure in the nation’s history. He successfully combined his political and legal career and played a role as lawyer, congressman, orator, secretary of state, leader of two parties, and a presidential candidate.
Devil And Daniel Webster MovieBook Comparison Essay
, Research Paper The Devil and Daniel Webster Movie In the movie and the short story, ?The Devil and Daniel Webster?, written by Stephen Vincent Benet, there is illustrated the battle between the forces of good and evil. Although the story allows the reader to mentally picture the scenes and the movie does the depicting for the viewer, there are several similarities in each script.
Setting Essay Essay Research Paper Setting EssayThere
Setting Essay Essay, Research Paper Setting Essay There is a place high in the limestone bluffs of Southern Illinois, where Daniel loves to spend his time. He perches on fallen tree trunks and watches flowers bloom in the springtime. He inhales their fragrant smell and daydreams until evening. This green haven of luscious moss and feathery ferns is peaceful year round.
Why Is The Play Called The Cruicible
Essay, Research Paper Why is the play called the Crucible? Webster and his book the dictionary defines a crucible as, A container in which metals are heated, involving a change. A severe test or trial.
Mrs Doubtfire Essay Research Paper MRS DOUBTFIREMrs
Mrs. Doubtfire Essay, Research Paper MRS. DOUBTFIRE Mrs. Doubtfire is the creation of a man, unwilling to accept the role of being a weekend father. Daniel, the father, is determined to spend more time with his children and goes to extreme measures to do so. When Daniels wife, Miranda, starts divorce proceedings, he impersonates a middle-age female English nanny.
Jacksonian Democracy 2 Essay Research Paper Jacksonian
Jacksonian Democracy 2 Essay, Research Paper Jacksonian Democracy The Jacksonian’s view of themselves is accurate in all but a few areas. Jacksonian democracy paved the way for more equality among the common people. Yet with all the changes that were made during the Jacksonian, the equality that was achieved was only held among the white men of the day.
Untitled Essay Research Paper Young Goodman Brownby
Untitled Essay, Research Paper Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel HawthorneIn short stories, I have learned that there is much more than what at first meets the eye. Almost everything in the story has meaning. All I
Hawthorne And Symbolism Essay Research Paper Hawthorne
Hawthorne And Symbolism Essay, Research Paper Hawthorne and Symbolism Symbolism is a key in all or most writings. Symbolism is what the reader needs in order to use his imagination. In “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, through different symbolism, Hawthorne writes about a man who in his coming of age.
Daniel Webster Essay Research Paper Daniel Webster
Daniel Webster Essay, Research Paper Daniel Webster was the ninth born son of Ebenezer Webster, who was a farmer and tavern-keeper. He was born in Salisbury, New Hampshire on January 18th in 1782. He was nicknamed ?Black Dan.? When he was a child he was mostly bedridden, many thought he wouldn?t make it. He was forced to read.
Daniel Boone Essay Research Paper Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone Essay, Research Paper Daniel Boone was responsible for the exploration and settlement of Kentucky. Daniel?s father was a weaver and blacksmith, and raised livestock in the country near
Rock 2 Essay Research Paper The music
Rock 2 Essay, Research Paper The music genre of Rock, thought by some to be the devil s music, to me is an inspiration and it helps me deal with situations going on in my life. If you listen to Rock you know what I m saying, but by most people who do not, they are so put in there ways of believing that anybody even listening to it is a devil worshipper, or some drug addict and is out casted because of what they listen to.
Jacksonian Democracy Essay Research Paper Jacksonian DemocracyThe
Jacksonian Democracy Essay, Research Paper Jacksonian DemocracyThe Jacksonian’s view of themselves is accurate in all but a few areas. Jacksonian democracy paved the way for more equality among the common people. Yetwith all the changes that were made during the Jacksonian, the equality that was achievedwas only held among the white men of the day.
Solitude Isolation And Loneli Essay Research Paper
Solitude, Isolation and Loneliness Solitude, isolation, and loneliness are enormously powerful and most often overwhelming feelings. They possess the ability to cause great pain and suffering or personal triumph. Solitude is defined as the state of being solitary, or alone; seclusion, isolation, or remoteness, and listed as a synonym is isolation (Webster s`.).
Hell Day Essay Research Paper Hell day
Hell Day Essay, Research Paper Hell day is a fun day where everything is like a burn day. If you would listen you could learn about this day and be apart of this day. If you are wise then you will relize that hell day is satans Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MY MOMMA SAYS Essay Research Paper My
MY MOMMA SAYS Essay, Research Paper My momma says that alligators are ornery because they got all them teeth and no toothbrush. My momma says that happiness comes from little rays of sunshine that sprinkle down from above when your happy. My momma says thyat Vicky Valencourt is the devil. I disagree, I think shes really great, she helped me play football and I like her.