Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve undoubtedly heard of the lyrical masterpiece Hamilton. The second Broadway production by the musical genius Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant who grew up to become one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Lauded for its innovative use of rap, the production has skyrocketed in fame; even the nosebleed tickets are now regularly sold for thousands. But why does an almost-rock opera set in colonial America have such a deep impact here in Australia? Unless you’re willing to travel, the extent of our connection with the musical is binge-listening to the soundtrack on YouTube, yet even that alone is enough to deepen our obsessions. So why is it relevant to us?
The reality of the situation is that Hamilton is a reflection of three social issues that warrant addressing in every country, not just the United States. In the current political and social climate, it’s all the more relevant to investigate how the media we consume reflects our situation. Here in Australia, lyrics are more than enough to encourage discourse.
1. Immigration and Refugees
“How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot in the Caribbean by providence, impoverished in squalor, grow up to be a hero and a scholar?”
A buzzword for so many politicians at the moment, immigration is easily one of Australia’s more contentious issues. So how is it reflected in Hamilton? Alexander Hamilton himself was born in St Croix, a small island in the Caribbean. After experiencing personal tragedies with the death of his mother and suicide of his cousin, the talented trader took to the sea and crossed to the United States, arriving in New York where he sought to make his name.
“See him now as he stands on the bow of a ship headed for a new land, in New York you can be a new man”
In New York he grew his position, championing discourse and education above all as he spearheaded a revolution to gain independence from Britain. He was respected in his field, a master of the economy, eventually becoming the country’s first Secretary of the Treasury and one of the nation’s Founding Fathers. His immigrant status, though commented on, didn’t prevent his meteoric rise – if anything, it made his success all the more incredible. His voice and talents spoke for themselves, and anyone that listened was inspired.
“Raise a glass to freedom, something they can never take away no matter what they tell you.”
Australian politicians are often trying to tell us that we’re better off blocking refugees from entering Australia, with new legislation being introduced to render arriving by boat illegal in certain circumstances. Refugees fleeing terrible conditions are confined on islands like Nauru and Manus, with little thought to what they could possibly contribute to the country. If colonial America had chosen to close its coastal borders, Alexander Hamilton would never have had his shot to make a difference on the political climate.
Consider for a moment how many people are currently in detention centres, waiting for their chance to enter Australia. These people are fleeing war, famine and devastating conditions, only for their freedom to be reduced even more in a cell. Any number of them could be capable of making a positive impact in Australia, just like Hamilton. Any number of them could have the chance to contribute, if not for the political strategy of refugee imprisonment.
2. Republicanism
“When are these colonies gonna rise up?”
The question of whether Australia should become a republic has been circling around for a long time, with the push to hold a referendum getting stronger each year. The central storyline of Hamilton focuses on his successful attempt to gain independence from what the British Empire, fighting alongside historical giants like George Washington and Aaron Burr to shrug off the blanket of British monarchism. Though the technology and brutality would most certainly be different if Australia was to decide on becoming a republic, it’s interesting to consider what the ramifications of such a decision might be.
“If we win our independence, is that a guarantee of freedom for our descendants? Or will the blood we shed become a cycle of vengeance and death with no defendants”
Luckily for us, any retaliation from Britain is far less likely to include mass bloodshed. The most significant changes would be to our constitution and legal system, which borrow heavily from the UK model. Beyond this, the flag and money would be changed; we would likely be excluded from the Commonwealth Games; and may need to change the national anthem (though many would argue that last point isn’t such a bad thing – who uses the word ‘girt’ anymore?).
“Oceans rise, empires fall, we have seen each other through it all. And when push comes to shove, I will send a fully armed battalion to remind you of my love.”
The most concerning argument against Republicanism is the shake up it would give a lot of political alliances. Australia is already hugely aligned with the United States, and to extricate itself from UK rule may strengthen that tie, however it will al
most certainly weaken our alliances within the Commonwealth. It’s definitely something to consider as we have a republican advocate for a Prime Minister.
If nothing else, Australia should rest assured that we will not have a public vote on it until Queen Elizabeth II passes. Malcolm Turnbull stated earlier this year that he felt the movement needed more grassroots support, having led a failed charge for republicanism back in the nineties that had more momentum than the movement currently has.
3. Feminism
“We hold these truths to be self evident; that all men are created equal. And when I meet Thomas Jefferson, I’m gon’ compel him to include women in the sequel”
Now I will be one of the first to admit that Lin-Manuel Miranda’s depiction of women within the production could be better, however there are a number of lyrics that demonstrate a highly progressive outlook for 21st century women. The above lyric is an almost self-referential nod to the fact that Hamilton’s setting was a pretty awful time for women, but it’s imbued with a contemporary reflection.
“I’m a girl in a world in which my only job is to marry rich. My father has no sons so I’m the one who has to social climb for one.”
The lyrics are pertinent in consideration of today’s gender disparity – Angelina, the eldest of the Schuyler sisters, is fully cognisant that her main job is the find a rich partner in order to further her family’s interests, regardless of her own career and personal aspirations. In the modern climate, this is still shown through a pay gap that rewards men doing the same job, and the tendency to relegate women to domestic roles (aligning with the stereotype that women should be receptionists and nurses, not CEOs and doctors).
“He’s after me cause I’m a Schuyler sister, that elevates his status, I’d have to be naive to set that aside.”
Women in the 21st century have come a long way, with voting rights and a slightly lessened wage gap, however Hamilton presents another area of inquiry: appropriate female representation in media. Within the whole show, there are only four female characters (namely, the Schuyler sisters and Alexander’s mistress). Though one might argue that the play’s time period necessitates this gender disparity, the fact that the cast is entirely composed of people of colour shows that this production isn’t exactly a stickler for historical accuracy.
It’s interesting to see a production that on the one hand advocates for equal rights in one breath, then limits women to social climbers and mistresses on the other. It’s important to consider how productions like Hamilton play into a social narrative – both then, and now.
