Vignettes of Manhattan; Outlines in Local Color

"Vignettes of Manhattan; Outlines in Local Color" by Brander Matthews is a collection of urban sketches and character portraits written in the late 19th century. This work aims to capture the essence and diverse life of New York City through a series of vignettes that reflect various aspects of its society and environment, showcasing the interactions of different types of people in the metropolis. Each vignette serves as a snapshot, introducing readers to the unique characters and happenings that define the city's lifestyle during that era. At the start of the book, Matthews sets the tone with a reflective letter addressed to Theodore Roosevelt, explaining his affection for New York. He presents the city not just as a backdrop but as a character in its own right, filled with life and variation. The opening portion includes a poignant depiction of a funeral in a small church, highlighting the lives of actors and sympathetic characters who gather for a young man's burial. This setting serves as a stage for exploring themes of ambition, loss, and the fleeting nature of life, inviting readers to delve deeper into the multifaceted world of Manhattan as portrayed throughout the collection. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

James Brander Matthews was an American academic, writer and literary critic. He was the first full-time professor of dramatic literature at Columbia University in New York and played a significant role in establishing theater as a subject worthy of formal study by academics. His interests ranged from Shakespeare, Molière, and Ibsen to French boulevard comedies, folk theater, and the new realism of his own time.