Alexander Hamilton: Bastard, Orphan, Adoptee?

 

I was so excited to see Hamilton Friday, July, 3, the day it debuted on Disney Plus, with my mother and daughter in the comfort of the Grubb house.  We threw a little party for this long-awaited event as we had never seen it live on Broadway.  (Alexander Hamilton will henceforth be referred to as “Alex” – yep, a little legal humor).

The movie on Disney Plus is not actually a movie but a 3-day film shot of the live performance of the “best-rehearsed cast” that performed in June, 2016.  I was pleased that Lin Manuel was in this version, because I don’t think I would have been as excited to view it had he been absent from it.

My daughter knew all the lyrics of the soundtrack and because of that, knew what was coming ahead before I did, but I was content to be surprised and was only familiar with the more often-played songs that happen at the beginning of the show.

My daughter and I have an inside joke about how many Disney or other movies, books or media have orphans as the main theme. It seems that the world has a fascination with people who lose their parents which likely results from one of the great fears of humanity--to be abandoned when helpless.  

Alex was never formally adopted in law that I am aware, however, he had multiple losses: he lost his father to abandonment, his mother to death, his cousin to death and then was separated from his brother before sailing to America in 1772.

Alex seemed to contain more confidence than most adoptees I know, until later in life, after they find “their people” and come out of “the adoption fog”.  Alex was not burdened with not knowing his mother since he was raised by her part of his life and therefore would be referred to in the adoption community as an adoptee-lite or half-adoptee, as he did not have his father in his life (it is assumed he knew who the man was since history documents his name to be James Hamilton). 

Alex penned over half The Federalist Papers, joined the colonial army, and became George Washington’s aide.  He was briefly part of the Continental Congress, became a lawyer in New York, reorganized the US financial system and then became the first US Secretary of Treasury from 1789-95. 

While viewing the show, I noticed that Alex didn’t waste any time focusing on his past (like many adoptees do); he used all of his confidence and energy to make change for the future.  Although some writers have hypothesized that Alex may have been manic during his writing sprees, whatever was behind his prolific abilities, he rose above his station and is a true American rags-to-riches hero. 

I recognized some traits in Alex in myself.  First and foremost, the drive to make something of my life, to “prove my value,” despite what happened. (i.e. my family “gave me away” or in Alex’s case, his father abandoned him and his mother’s widower took all their money). 

That incessant drive and push to overcome the circumstances of his birth (“son of a whore . . .impoverished in squalor”) was evident throughout his entire life.  He left his homeland in St. Croix in search of  . . . .what exactly?  I doubt he knew at the time, but he definitely knew he was moving on out and hopefully, ahead. 

I have spent my entire life searching for . . . . information, acceptance, who my parents were/are.  Some moments during the show, I was very aware of Alex's "adoptedness", for example, when George Washington kept calling him, “son” and he kept telling George to knock-it-off.  Alexander was sensitive about the father issue and could you blame him? 

There were so many “writing nuggets” to glean from in this show.  I will be watching it again and again just for those!  Alex, like myself, is somebody who says what was on his mind, which many times gets him in trouble.  Many adoptees are super people pleasers, and would be more like Aaron Burr – afraid to take a stand, smile and say what they think others want to hear (think, “the good adoptee”). 

So, if I had to classify Alex in adoption-speak, it would be to compare him to the “bad adoptee”. The “bad adoptee,” does not accept their lot in life – they are the rebel, the wave-maker, the scapegoat of the family.  

He/she does not accept that they may “never know” who their parents are, does not accept that an adoption decree or birth certificate changes genealogy, and forges ahead, to create change, to find the truth, no matter the cost.  

The “bad adoptee” can be their own worst enemy if the enormous energy inside is self-defeating, instead of used for creating positive change in their lives, as I have learned the hard way; however, like Alexander Hamilton’s life demonstrates, allowing the status quo to rule, will never get us to where we want to go.

What lessons have you gleaned from Alexander Hamilton's life?  Please leave your thoughts in the comment section here or on Facebook!

Lynn 💓