Zangwill's "The Melting Pot": Ethnic Tensions on Stage

Abstract

author, opened at Columbia Theater in Washington, D.C. Entitled The Melting Pot,' it told story of David Quixano, a Jewish immigrant who came to United States after his family was slaughtered in a Russian pogrom. During course of play, David writes a great symphony falls in love with a Russian Christian noblewoman. In final scene symphony receives great acclamation, David wins Vera for himself. The opening night audience responded enthusiastically to play. According to Mrs. Zangwill, opening was a great success, theater manager told her husband, 'It's hell of a success for you.' There were cries for Zangwill after every scene, President Roosevelt himself joined in applause. During play he sat next to Mrs. Zangwill and positively raved. When Zangwill took his bows afterward, the President shouted across theater, 'that's a great play, Mr. Zangwill.' 2 This warm reception suggests that The Melting Pot presented a picture that was attractive to many Americans. Throughout drama David argues that United States is a land of universal love brotherhood. He sees it as a place in which divisions among men will soon disappear. Early in first act he proclaims America to be God's Crucible, great Melting Pot, where all races of Europe are melting re-forming! At Ellis Island, he says, they stand in fifty groups with as many languages histories, as many hatreds rivalries. But immigrants will change, for they have come to fires of God. A fig for your feuds vendettas! Germans Frenchmen, Irishmen Englishmen, Jews Russiansinto Crucible with you all! God is making American. David reiterates this vision in play's final scene. Gazing over a brilliant