Past Redemption: A Drama in Four Acts

"Past Redemption: A Drama in Four Acts" by George M. Baker is a theatrical play written in the late 19th century. This engaging drama unfolds through the intertwining fates of characters like Harry Maynard, a young man who leaves his pastoral life behind for the city, and Charity Goodall, who seeks to redeem the lost. The story explores themes of ambition, temptation, and the complexities of love, as it delves into the struggles of individuals facing the consequences of their choices. At the start of the play, we are introduced to a barn bustling with activity during a corn husking event, where various characters engage in light banter and flirtation. Among them are Tom Larcom, who is infatuated with Kitty Corum, and Harry Maynard, who is preparing to leave home for the city. The conversation touches on aspirations and relationships, with undertones of rivalry and longing. Meanwhile, Robert Thornton, a wealthy man with questionable intentions, looms in the background, hinting at the darker paths that lay ahead for Harry. As the act progresses, the idyllic atmosphere begins to fray, foreshadowing the challenges and moral dilemmas the characters will encounter as they navigate their fates. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

George Melville Baker (1832–1890) was a playwright and publisher in Boston, Massachusetts, in the 19th century. He worked for Lee & Shepard publishers, then opened his own imprint. "George M. Baker & Co." issued works by authors such as Henry M. Baker, F.E. Chase, and Herbert Pelham Curtis. Baker's company ceased in 1885, succeeded by his brother's "Walter H. Baker & Co." George Baker also performed with comedian Henry C. Barnabee, appearing in "lyceum entertainments" in New England. He belonged to the Mercantile Library Association. He married Emily Bowles in 1858; children included novelist Emilie Loring, playwright Rachel Baker Gale, and screenwriter Robert Melville Baker.