Mercy Otis Warren. The Motley Assembly, a Farce. Boston: Nathaniel Coverly, 1779.
In this short play, stinging satire functions as a powerful political weapon. Playwright Mercy Otis Warren (1728-1814) skewers Boston Loyalists across just fifteen pages, mocking elite women who prioritized socializing over supporting the Patriot cause. Although the play appeared anonymously and featured humorous character names such as Mrs. Taxall and Mrs. Bubble, Boston residents at the time almost certainly recognized the individuals being targeted. Copies held at AAS include penciled identifications of both the author and the real people she satirized.
Publication / Creation Year
1779