'Manahatta': A Tale of Displacement and Capitalism

Mary Kathryn Nagle's play draws parallels between the exploitation of the Lenape people in the 17th century and the 2008 financial crisis.

Mary Kathryn Nagle's play 'Manahatta' at the Public Theater explores the exploitation of the Lenape people by Dutch settlers in the 17th century and parallels it with the 2008 financial crisis.
The play presents two overlapping stories, one set in the 17th century and the other in 2008, highlighting the themes of capitalism, racism, trade, power, and identity.
The central character in the modern storyline, Jane Snake, is a Lenape woman who leaves her home in Oklahoma to pursue a career in banking in Manhattan, symbolizing the ongoing displacement and struggle of indigenous peoples.
Critics note that while the play's themes are powerful, the characters often feel flat and the dialogue is considered stiff and predictable.
Despite its structural shortcomings, 'Manahatta' is seen as making a resonant point about displacement, kinship, home, and the enduring forces of capitalism.