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Act 2: The Adams Administration
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Hamilton, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Collaboration, Disagreement, and Democracy
Stories vs. History
Ambition and Mortality
Immigration and Diversity of Influence
Honor
Summary
Analysis
Jefferson, Burr, and Madison accuse Hamilton of using his role in the Treasury to embezzle money. Hamilton explains that he has not stolen money—but he also overshares, confessing his affair with Maria. Before Burr leaves, he hints to Hamilton that he might use this scandalous information against him.
The same drive that allows Hamilton to write 51 Federalist Papers now causes him to blurt out the very information that could destroy him. As Miranda has discussed at length, one of the things Hamilton most lacks is “restraint.”
Themes
