Voltaire’s tragedy, Alzire, ou les Américains (Alzire, or the Americans) relates how the father of Alzire, a young Native American woman who converted to Christianism, convinces her to marry Guzman, the Spanish governor of Peru, while Alzire believes that her fiancé Zamore is dead. La Fille obéissante (The obedient Daugther) parodies this play with puppets (manuscript of the Soleinne collection, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Département des manuscrits, FF 9313). It follows the key moments of the plot of Voltaire’s tragedy, but sets the play in Mexico and transforms the governor of Peru into a common bailiff. The fact that the puppet of Polichinelle was used for the character of Zamore, and that of Dame Gigogne for Alzire, probably partook of the comic relief.

Alvarès makes his son Guzman a bailiff and promises that he will marry Alzire. Alvarès convinces Alzire’s father, Monteze, to have her marry Guzman. Alzire believes that her fiancé Zamore is dead, but he is released from prison. When he learns that Alzire will marry Guzman, Zamore tries to kill him and thinks that he has succeeded. Zamore and Alvire, who is thought to be his accomplice, are sentenced to death. Just when Zamore is about to be hanged, Guzman appears, wounded. He forgives Zamore and lets him marry Alzire.