Seeing the Elephant: Play Guide and Free Edition
Seeing the Elephant: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
Seeing the Elephant is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Baker, George M. (George Melville) (1832–1890).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Seeing the Elephant" by George M. Baker is a comedic play written in the early 1870s. This theatrical work revolves around the humorous consequences of a farmer's drunken antics at an auction where he inadvertently bids on an elephant, leading to chaos in his household and community. The play reflects the lively and comedic style of American theater during its time, highlighting themes of alcohol consumption, familial obligations, and humorous misunderstandings. The story centers on Silas Somerby, a farmer with a penchant for drink, who stumbles into a series of comedic misadventures after accidentally bidding on an elephant while intoxicated. As he grapples with the fallout of his drunken behavior, Silas faces demands for damages from angry neighbors whose properties his so-called elephant has destroyed. Throughout the play, Silas's family members, including his wife Rachel and son Johnny, react with disbelief and exasperation as they contend with the repercussions of his decisions. The situation is lightheartedly resolved when Harry, a friend who is in love with Silas's daughter Sally, proposes a plan to help Silas reclaim control over his life by promising to marry Sally if Silas gives up drinking. The play concludes with a blend of laughter and moral lesson, as Silas promises to reform and navigate his responsibilities more wisely.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Seeing the Elephant
- Author credits: Baker, George M. (George Melville) (1832–1890)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- American drama -- 19th century
Gutenberg collections
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Humour
- Category: Plays/Films/Dramas
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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