In what ways did melodrama as a cultural form speak to the concerns of American theatregoers during the nineteenth century?

In what ways did melodrama as a cultural form speak to the concerns of American theatregoers during the nineteenth century? Discuss Augustin Daly's sensational melodrama "Under The Gaslight" and the ways in which it negotiates the issues of class and ethnicity in nineteenth century New York. This essay will look at melodrama in the nineteenth century. It will establish whether the issues of class and ethnicity were included in the melodramas performed in New York …

…it can be seen that melodramas were used for different reasons, at different times, by different classes. The melodramas help raise current issues, or portray subliminal messages, to the audiences watching. The overacted and exaggerated plots allowed these to happen subtly. This was appropriate as the plays initial task was to entertain its audience. It wasn't until the beginning of the twentieth century that melodramas died down and gave way for new "realist" plays.