Gulzara; or The Persian Slave

Written in the 1840s, 'Gulzara; or The Persian Slave' by Anna Cora Mowatt Ritchie is a unique Victorian melodrama intended for private theatrical performances. The play features an all-female cast, with the only male character portrayed by a young girl, and is set in a harem in Constantinople, revolving around the abduction of Sultan Suliman’s son. This work provides insight into the lives of young women in the U.S. during the 1840s and 50s, making it a notable example of female-authored drama from this era.