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| image = [[File:BluesForMisterCharlie.jpg|200px]]
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| image_caption = First edition cover
| image_caption = First edition cover
| author = [[James Baldwin (writer)|James Baldwin]]
| author = [[James Baldwin]]
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'''''Blues for Mister Charlie''''' is [[James Baldwin (writer)|James Baldwin]]'s second play, a tragedy in three acts. It was first produced and published in 1964.<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/70518/Blues-for-Mister-Charlie "Blues for Mister Charlie", ''Encyclopaedia Britannica.]</ref> It is dedicated to the memory of [[Medgar Evers]], and his widow and his children, and to the memory of the dead children of [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]]."<ref name="New York Times review">''[[New York Times]]'', Theater: 'Blues for Mister Charlie' by Howard Taubman, April 24, 1964 [http://www.nytimes.com/books/98/03/29/specials/baldwin-charlie.html]</ref>
'''''Blues for Mister Charlie''''' is [[James Baldwin]]'s second play, a tragedy in three acts. It was first produced and published in 1964.<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/70518/Blues-for-Mister-Charlie "Blues for Mister Charlie", ''Encyclopaedia Britannica.]</ref> It is dedicated to the memory of [[Medgar Evers]], and his widow and his children, and to the memory of the dead children of [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]]."<ref name="New York Times review">''[[New York Times]]'', Theater: 'Blues for Mister Charlie' by Howard Taubman, April 24, 1964 [http://www.nytimes.com/books/98/03/29/specials/baldwin-charlie.html]</ref>


== Plot introduction ==
== Plot introduction ==

Revision as of 23:16, 5 December 2012

Blues for Mister Charlie
First edition cover
AuthorJames Baldwin
LanguageEnglish
GenrePlay
PublisherDial Press
Publication date
1964
Publication placeUnited States

Blues for Mister Charlie is James Baldwin's second play, a tragedy in three acts. It was first produced and published in 1964.[1] It is dedicated to the memory of Medgar Evers, and his widow and his children, and to the memory of the dead children of Birmingham."[2]

Plot introduction

In a small Southern town, a white man murders a black man, then throws his body in the weeds. In the aftermath of Richard Henry's murder, the trial of store owner Lyle Britten gives way to a reflection upon racism in America. The play is loosely based on the Emmett Till murder that occurred in Money, Mississippi, before the Civil Rights Movement began.[3]

Title explanation

"Mister Charlie" is a phrase used by African Americans that refers to the white man.[2]

Characters

Meridian Henry, a Negro Minister.

Tom, Ken, Arthur, Juanita, Lorenzo, Pete, all Negro students.

Mother Henry, Meridian Henry’s mother. Lyle Britten, a white storeowner. Jo Britten, Lyle’s wife. Parnell James, editor of the local newspaper. Richard, Meridian Henry’s son. Papa D., owner of a juke joint.

Hazel, Lillian, Susan, Ralph, Ellis, Rev. Phelps, George, all white townspeople.

The State

Counsel for the Bereaved

Congregation of Rev. Henry’s church, Pallbearers, Blacktown, Whitetown

References

  1. ^ "Blues for Mister Charlie", Encyclopaedia Britannica.
  2. ^ a b New York Times, Theater: 'Blues for Mister Charlie' by Howard Taubman, April 24, 1964 [1]
  3. ^ Blues for Mister Charlie at stageplays.com

{{{{1960s-PLAY-STUB}}}}