The Prisoner of Second Avenue Historical Context

This Study Guide consists of approximately 21 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of The Prisoner of Second Avenue.

The Prisoner of Second Avenue Historical Context

This Study Guide consists of approximately 21 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of The Prisoner of Second Avenue.
This section contains 272 words
(approx. 1 page at 400 words per page)
Buy The Prisoner of Second Avenue Study Guide

Sheridan Morley, in his review of the play for Spectator, writes that The Prisoner of Second Avenue “deals with a moment in history when not only the central character but Manhattan itself was on the brink of a total nervous collapse.” The events that occurred in 1971, the probable year in which the action of the play takes place, illustrate this pervasive deterioration. City police went on strike along with eight thousand state, county, and municipal employees and local members of the Communications Workers of America. Crime rates soared while two city policemen were murdered and participants in a Puerto Rican Day Parade were attacked. In September, riots broke out in New York State's Attica Prison, which lasted for several days. When order was restored, thirty-two prisoners and eleven guards and police were dead.

Social institutions were strained to the breaking point...

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This section contains 272 words
(approx. 1 page at 400 words per page)
Buy The Prisoner of Second Avenue Study Guide
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