In The Contrast by Royall Tyler,
there are numerous differing, or even contradicting, thoughts and ideas that
are presented through the characters. I will be talking about the different
views on marriage as seen throughout the play by Maria and Maria’s father.
As the play
begins, we clearly see the differences in the definition of marriage as believed
by the two characters. Maria is about to take part in an arranged marriage set
up by her father. However, she does not want to get married to whom her father
arranges her to marry. Her father wants her to marry Mr. Dimple. But her father
insists on the marriage despite of his daughter’s feelings. Mr. Dimple is quite
different from Maria and she wants out of the relationship as he becomes quite
snobbish.
In the beginning,
we hear Letitia and Charlotte talking about the marriage. Letitia says that if
Maria gets married to Mr. Dimple, it will be without her heart. Maria insists
that she should marry someone who she believes she can cherish for her
lifetime. On the other hand, Maria’s father says the marriage is more than a
commitment to finding someone of mere profit. His daughter’s feelings are
boloney to him and think money is the most important thing she should look out
for.
Throughout the
play, we read on as Maria falls in love with another man, Charlotte’s brother
named Manly. He is supposed to be a contrasting character to Mr. Dimple. Surprisingly
at the same time, Mr. Dimple is courting two other women, both Letitia and
Charlotte. But in the end, after finding out more about Mr. Dimple, Maria’s
father allows the wedding to be canceled and agrees to let his daughter marry
the man she truly loves, Manly.
I agree about the contradicting ideas that Maria and her father have. It was very clear that he was worried about the money involved than his daughter's happiness. He does come to surprise you though, after hearing Maria and the Colonel's conversation. This surprising support for this man who admits to not have as much money as Mr. Dimple.
ReplyDeleteAs a side note, I thought that I would mention that Maria reminded me of Matilda. I do not know if you have watched the childhood book/ movie, but she, too, begins to find differences between her and her family after delving into books!