Arcadia: A Play by Tom Stoppard Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Arcadia: A Play
Book Review: Oscar Wilde with a dash of Thomas Pynchon
Summary: 4 Stars
An interesting play, with some great one-liners; but as in Oscar Wilde's plays, the one-liners seem to be contrived (expecting a rimshot almost), and sometimes it's embarrassing watching Stoppard trying to be clever. Also, the references to math and physics are a bit forced; one gets the idea that Stoppard is operating out of his range. Perhaps Stoppard is trying to be Pynchon, but Pynchon had a science education and knew his stuff.No matter what, this is a very entertaining piece of work, and the characters and situations are clever and memorable. I only disagree with the reviewers who say this is amazingly brilliant or profound; I simply don't see it. Perhaps some of the themes elude me -- as I am just an individual reading this for fun, not in a college class -- or perhaps some of the other reviewers are reading things into the play that Stoppard didn't intend (like maybe the other reviewer's whole thing about the 2nd law of thermodynamics). I wouldn't go as far as to say it's the best or even funniest theatre of the 20th century (I still prefer Christopher Durang's humor), but it's notable, as is most anything from Stoppard.
Book Review: PURE BRILLIANCE! SHEER GENIUS! AWESOME PLAY!
Summary: 5 Stars
Tom Stoppard does it again with "Arcadia!" The playwright writes a story with feeling and emotion. I'm 12 1/2 years old, and I found the play strangely easy to understand. This is a great book! I reccomend it! The feeling that the people express during the play is amazing. He blends story with reality, in a way that nobody else can. Reading this play was and absolute joy for me! Read it!Book Review: Playwriting at its best
Summary: 5 Stars
A widely-acknowledged master of his craft, Tom Stoppard again displays his genius in "Arcadia". Although many tend to concentrate on the brilliant ways in which he includes science, mathematics, literature, history, and philosophy in the text, what most strikes me is the complicated, fascinating way in which he tells a story and creates characters, lest we forget that this is still a play that strives to entertain as well as enlighten.Probably the most interesting aspect of "Arcadia" is the use of a double plot structure, in which two disparate plots unfurl in the same room at the same time, but in completely different eras in history. It would perhaps be more conducive to an understanding of the play to see it, rather than merely read it, yet a thorough read reveals many of the witty remarks, nuances of character, and subtext not entirely apparent in a performance, at least the first time around. What you realize further in a close reading of the play is the ingenious way in which Stoppard structures plot and character. Each character has a complicated, interesting relationship with each of the other characters, and each subplot plays itself out masterfully by the play's conclusion. Stoppard has created complex, inspired, real characters with human wants, needs, desires, and motivations, and they enthrall the reader/audience.
Infused with wit, wisdom, and wonder, "Arcadia" is a must-read, must-see work of art.
Book Review: Powerful play about philosophy, science and the human heart
Summary: 5 Stars
The urbane play `Arcadia' by the erudite dramatist Stoppard is wonderful on a multitude of levels, emotionally, philosophically, satirically and intellectually. I arrived at this conclusion partly because of the unique characterisation, partly because the colourful dialogue packed with innuendo, sarcasm, wit, intellectual discourse and repartee and partly because of the powerful philosophical issues which it addresses so elegantly. Stoppard sets the play partly in the 19th century where he brings together upper class aristocrats, middle class professionals and working class domestics and partly in the 20th Century where the stage is shared by a set of zealous authors, researchers and academics both occurring in the stately Croom estate.
In the 19th Century time period, Stoppard introduces us to the precocious, young aristocrat Thomasina Coverly and her cynical polymath tutor Septimus Hodge and uses their academically charged conversations to ask several vital questions that shape humanity and the universe, from chaos theory vs determinism, the fate of the universe according to the second law of thermodynamics, Romanticism vs. Classicism, the importance of discovery and the head vs. The heart to name a few. Stoppard does not short change the audience in comedy in doing this though, quite the contrary, he allows us to witness numerous farcical situations between the impossibly conceited mother of Thomasina, Lady Croom and the hapless Chater (whose harlot wife is Septimus's latest conquest) and their interrogation of the randy young tutor on his sexual liaisons with various women on the estate,which provides for highly compelling comic relief.
As the story progresses, Stoppard introduces the 20th Century characters, the candid, forthright author Hannah Jarvis who is researching the estate for her new book, the foppish, Machiavellian university don Bernard Nightingale who believes there is a connection between the death of Chater and Byron and Valentine who is Coverly progeny and a biological mathematician along with his impetuous, hormonal sister Chloe Coverly. In the modern day plot, Stoppard investigates the importance of truth, and discovery through the arguments between Hannah and Bernard on how Chater really died while he confers on the importance of Science and Literature through Bernard's mean spirited, petulant diatribes and sophomoric, obstreperous attacks on a docile Valentine. I found both of these highly engaging and interesting debates.
Stoppard also cleverly constructs certain characters such as Chloe and Valentine as legatees of Thomasina and Septimus to behave as vehicles to facilitate the audience to observe the change in social norms and mores through time, from the class conscious patriarchal society of the 19th Century where the brilliant Thomasina can't follow her dreams to become a scientist to the socially emancipated 20th century where Chloe engages in loose sexual relationships with the callous, pseudo-intelligent academic Bernard. Stoppard uses this to demonstrate class marginalization and ostracism in the 19th Century and its change to the 20th Century and the consequences of patriarchy on history which led unquestionably to the loss of real intellect due to superfluous social forces.
Stoppard incorporates stage props and costumes to complement the eclectic stage action seamlessly; he allows both plots to occur on the same stage enabling the central themes and motifs to always be evident to the vigilant audience member. But perhaps Stoppard's most remarkable innovation in Arcadia was allowing the 19th and 20th Century characters to appear on stage simultaneously with the same costumes during a waltz, the conversations mirror through the time periods and makes for spellbinding, enthralling entertainment. Arcadia is a truly unique experience and Stoppard introduces ideas and issues in cascading proliferation like no other play which culminates in an ending that will surely tug at one's heartstrings. It has everything a play should have, do everything you can to buy or watch this truly marvellous play.
Book Review: Read it once, then read it again
Summary: 4 Stars
You'll be glad you did. I love this play, but admittedly, I wasn't sure what to make of it the first time I read it. A second reading allowed me to make the connection as to how the scientific theories parallel the overall message and emotion of this play and be amazed at the beauty of its intricacy, as well as its intellect and wit.