The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail
by Jerome Lawrence, Robert E. Lee
What readers are saying
Readers appreciate the play's exploration of Henry David Thoreau's philosophy and civil disobedience, noting its relevance to contemporary issues. Many find the integration of humor and thought-provoking themes engaging, and it serves as a compelling introduction to Transcendentalism. However, some reviews suggest it can feel dry or confusing at times depending on the format of consumption.
Synopsis
This drama opens with Thoreau in jail for refusing to pay taxes to a government conducting a war of aggression in Mexico, at midpoint shows Emerson visiting him, and ends on the morning of his release.
Scenes portray his return from Harvard where he idolized Emerson, his attempt to establish a transcendentalist school, his career as a handyman and tutor in Emerson’s household, and his romance and his friendship with an illiterate cellmate.
The end is a grotesque dream in which the characters take up guises in a mortal assault on Mexico.
Press Reviews
"Absolutely fascinating [...] Imaginatively commanding."
— Washington Post
"Scene after scene moves you to laughter or close to tears."
— Newsday
Publication
The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail is a play written by Jerome Lawrence and published by Samuel French (2000).
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Restrictions: Major Markets Only (US) / Standard Restriction (UK)
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