Gentlemen, Be Seated! The Rise and Fall of the Minstrel Show

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The minstrel show emerged in the 1840s as a unique form of entertainment, featuring melodies inspired by enslaved individuals and comedic performances by white actors in blackface. Central to these shows was the master of ceremonies, Mr. Interlocutor, accompanied by two endmen, Mr. Bones and Mr. Tambo, who engaged in humor that often mocked the lives of enslaved people. This document explores the cultural and historical significance of minstrel shows within American literature and society.