5 Comments
User's avatar
Emma - Journeys into Genealogy's avatar

Theatre is a good way to describe the court process - everyone is playing a part. Some people know more than others (generally everyone except the defendant) as they have experienced it before. Showboating is another word for it.

Expand full comment
Cynthia Boatright Raleigh's avatar

It is definitely performance art.

Expand full comment
Bibiana's avatar

Wow! Drama big time. When I was in undergrad, I used to bring a sandwich and sit with the seniors in the gallery of criminal court near my campus, but we rarely got anything even close to this. This post is wild. Love the end note.

Expand full comment
Cynthia Boatright Raleigh's avatar

I love these 19th century newspaper articles. Being the main news outlet of the times, they can provide a boatload of information, not only about the event, but information that would be too personal for publication these days. It's also entertaining and has to be taken with an eye to intended drama and sensationalizing. It provides a good basis for confirming and documenting facts we might never know.

Expand full comment
Bibiana's avatar

Your articles are the coolest! Definitely taking it on the perspective part. It certainly feels like some things have not changed, even I am guilty of enjoying a public spectacle from time to time. The internet doesn't work well here...

Expand full comment