Overview
Synopsis
The Rivalry is Norman Corwin’s dramatization of the great Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858. Lincoln, then a little-known country lawyer, challenged the popular Douglas for his Senate seat and, although he lost the race, gained such extraordinary fame that he would be elected President two years later. The debates centered on slavery – Douglas for the states’ right to determine, Lincoln against on grounds of inequality – and all of its attendant issues, including federal vs. state interests, the rights guaranteed under the Constitution, and the way in which political discourse shaped public behavior. Corwin uses the exact words of the two men, but edits them together to form a compelling dialogue, one which resonates even today.
Show Information
- Book
- Norman Corwin
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1959
- Genres
- Drama
- Time & Place
- washington dc, summer of 1858, various towns in illinois
- Cast Size
- small
- Ideal For
- Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Small Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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