Edwin Davies Schoonmaker
The Americans
"The Americans" by Edwin Davies Schoonmaker is a dramatic piece written in the early 20th century. The play is part of a series addressing various racial dramas, with this installment focusing on the industrial conflict between workers and management during a labor strike. It explores themes of social injustice and the dynamics between different classes, primarily illustrating the struggle of mill workers against the wealthy owners. At the start of the drama, the setting is established in a desolate timber region, hinting at the harsh realities faced by the characters, who are engaged in a search for a lost mine that could signify hope and prosperity. The opening scene introduces Cap Saunders and Harvey Anderson, who are searching for a log that might lead to the mine's location while discussing the struggles of mill workers under the management of J. Donald Egerton. Their conversations reveal their frustrations and aspirations amidst an atmosphere of impending conflict as the tensions surrounding a significant labor strike escalate.