The Contrast (play)

The Contrast, written in 1787 by Royall Tyler, is an American play in the tradition of the English Restoration comedies of the seventeenth century; it takes its cue from Sheridan's The School for Scandal, a British comedy of manners that had revived that tradition a decade before. Royall satirizes Americans who follow British fashions and indulge in 'British vices'.

The Contrast marks the first American play that was professionally produced and written by an American citizen. The play's prologue is an evaluation of home-made versus foreign goods and ideas and the play's most prominent part, along with the introduction of the Yankee character (Jonathan).

Primus ego in patriam

Aonio--deduxi vertice Musas.

I, the first in the homeland Aonio, having founded this colony, turn to the Muses.

Characters

• Charlotte
  • Has friends and good social standing
  • In need of money
• Letitia
  • Possesses monetary wealth
  • Looking for friendship
• Mr. Billy Dimple
  • Primary redeeming values are his looks and wealth
  • Attempts to manage relationships with Charlotte, Letitia, and Maria at once
  • Snob / Persona of Europe
• Maria Van Rough
• Colonel Manly
  • A contrasting character to Mr. Dimple
  • Gentleman / Persona of America
• Van Rough
  • Maria's father
• Jessamy
• Jonathan
• Jenny
• Servants

Plot summary

Act I

Scene i

The audience is introduced to two friends, Charlotte and Letitia. They discuss the upcoming marriage of Mr. Dimple and Maria Van Rough. During the engagement, Dimple traveled to England, leaving Maria to read books. In reading books, her tastes improved to the point of finding Dimple's love letters poorly written and rather vain than honest.

Maria speaks to her father about her depression, which he attributes to her reading. In a soliloquy, Maria believes that if she tells her father how she truly feels, he will understand.

Scene II

Charlotte and Letitia return from shopping. Charlotte is pleased with her purchase of a fashionable dress, despite its poor fit. She was also happy to buy a hat, preventing Sally Slender from buying it.

External links

Online text of the play [1]