Summary

Chapter 32, Introduction: McCarter describes how the show’s final scene reminds audiences of the historical reality that for the most part, Hamilton’s rivals tried to eliminate his role in America’s history. Those efforts, McCarter further comments, were challenged by Eliza who, for 50 years until her death, strove to keep Hamilton’s legacy alive, a striving that, McCarter comments, is finally being fully realized by the presentation of the show. McCarter then describes the opening night party, an excited frenzy of music, improvised rap, fireworks – and the realization that family members had come from all over America to see what their children had accomplished. McCarter comments that “it looked like the Fourth of July” (279).

Summary of the Scene: the show’s finale explores Eliza’s determination to preserve Hamilton’s legacy while, at the same time, communicating one of the show’s overall...