Synopsis
The Contrast: A Comedy In Five Acts is a play written by Royall Tyler and first published in 1920. The play is set in New York City in the late 18th century and follows the story of Maria Van Rough, a young woman who is torn between her desire for a romantic and passionate relationship and her duty to marry a wealthy but dull man. The play explores the contrast between the traditional values of the old world and the emerging values of the new world, as well as the contrast between different social classes and their attitudes towards love, marriage, and money. The main characters include Maria Van Rough, her suitor Colonel Manly, her fianc����� Mr. Dimple, and her friend Charlotte. The play also features a group of comical characters, such as the Frenchman Monsieur D'Harmand and the Irish servant Patrick. Throughout the play, Tyler uses humor and satire to comment on the social and cultural norms of his time, as well as to highlight the contradictions and hypocrisies of the upper classes. The play also includes several musical interludes and dance sequences, which were popular features of plays during the time period in which it is set. Overall, The Contrast: A Comedy In Five Acts is a witty and entertaining play that offers a glimpse into the social and cultural landscape of late 18th century America.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
About the Author
Born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1757 to Royall Tyler and Mary (Steele) Tyler, Tyler attended the Boston Latin School, Yale and then Harvard, where he earned a reputation as a quick-witted joker. After graduation, he briefly served in the Massachusetts militia under John Hancock during the abortive Rhode Island expedition. In late 1778, he returned to Harvard to study law, and was admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1780. He opened a practice in Braintree, Massachusetts, eight miles outside of Boston. After a brief stint in suppressing the 1787 Shays's Rebellion, Tyler moved to Boston and boarded in the house of Elizabeth Palmer. After unsuccessfully courting Abigail Adams for many years, in 1794, he wed the Palmers's daughter, Mary Palmer, took her to his new home in Vermont, and with her had eleven children. In 1801, Tyler was appointed to the Supreme Court of Vermont as an assistant judge, and was later elected chief justice. In 1812 he ran unsuccessfully for the US Senate. In 1826, he died in Vermont, of facial cancer that he had suffered from for ten years.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
