Ambrose Gwinett; or, a sea-side story: a melo-drama, in three acts

Name: Ambrose Gwinett; or, a sea-side story: a melo-drama, in three acts
Author: Douglas William Jerrold

By Douglas William Jerrold

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About This Book

The three-act melodrama traces Ambrose Gwinett, a young man whose attempt to visit relatives leads to a false charge of robbery and murder after a found coin and a mistaken arrest. He is convicted and publicly hanged yet survives and is clandestinely rescued; subsequent travels expose him to hardship and a confrontation with the supposed victim, revealed to have been pressed into service. Returning broken and impoverished, he ekes out a living as a road sweeper. The play interweaves themes of wrongful conviction, social vulnerability, and dramatic spectacle, with added elements of love and jealousy and detailed stage business and costuming for performance.

About the Author

Douglas William Jerrold

Douglas William Jerrold was a prominent English playwright, journalist, and humorist of the 19th century, known for his sharp wit and satirical commentary on society. He gained fame with works such as "Mrs. Caudle's Curtain Lectures," a series of humorous monologues that reflect domestic life and marital dynamics. Jerrold's contributions to literature also include the melodrama "Ambrose Gwinett; or, a sea-side story," showcasing his versatility as a writer. His essays and letters, compiled in collections like "The Essays of Douglas Jerrold" and "The barber's chair; and, The hedgehog letters," further illustrate his keen observations and engaging prose. Jerrold's legacy endures as a significant figure in Victorian literature.