Skip to main content

Where is the thesis in the biography Hamilton by Ron Chernow?

One of Ron Chernow's intentions in writing his biography of Hamilton is to show the dramatic life of the real Hamilton. Hamilton had many brilliantly innovative ideas in the early American government. As the first Secretary of the Treasury, he advocated the federal assumption of debt and the promotion of domestic industry. He is best known for these ideas, but behind his ideas lies the story of a fascinating man. As Chernow writes, "Drama shadowed...

One of Ron Chernow's intentions in writing his biography of Hamilton is to show the dramatic life of the real Hamilton. Hamilton had many brilliantly innovative ideas in the early American government. As the first Secretary of the Treasury, he advocated the federal assumption of debt and the promotion of domestic industry. He is best known for these ideas, but behind his ideas lies the story of a fascinating man. As Chernow writes, "Drama shadowed his footsteps" (page 41). In addition, Chernow contends that so many of Hamilton's ideas, including his authorship of The Federalist Papers and his establishment of the Bank of New York, were innovative for the time and laid the foundation for the modern America.  The thesis can be found in the Prologue, in which Chernow writes, "In all probability, Alexander Hamilton is the foremost figure in American history who never attained the presidency, yet he probably had a much deeper and more lasting impact than many who did."


Chernow establishes Hamilton's legacy through presenting the details of each stage of Hamilton's life. As Chernow writes, Hamilton's story is in some ways the story of the American Dream. Hamilton was the son of a woman who had left her abusive husband in the Caribbean without a formal divorce, meaning that all her future children, including Alexander, would be illegitimate. Hamilton, born in the West Indies, won a scholarship to what is now Columbia University in New York. He went on to fight alongside George Washington with the commitment and zeal that characterized each part of his life, and he had a meteoric rise in the government of the early American Republic, as well as a startling demise in the duel with Aaron Burr. Chernow's work goes back to the historical record to present Hamilton's real story, separate from myth, and to present the idea that his legacy is greater than that of many of our Presidents. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more