full title Arcadia
author Tom Stoppard
type of work Play
genre Serio-Comic Modern Drama
language English
time and place written 1993, England
date of first publication 1993
publisher Faber and Faber, Ltd.
tone The tone of Arcadia is passionate, yet restrained. While infusing his characters with great emotion, the plot and story are in the style of a classic comedy of errors whereas the characters have a conscious comedic function.
setting (time) Early nineteenth century and contemporary times
setting (place) Sidley Park in Derbyshire, England
protagonist Thomasina Coverly and Hannah Jarvis
major conflict Hannah Jarvis attempts to reconstruct the stories of Sidley Park.
rising action Thomasina proposes chaos theory; Hannah researches; Bernard arrives at estate; Hannah and Bernard argue about Bernard's theory; Thomasina pleads for a waltz and kiss from Septimus; Gus gives Hannah Thomasina's drawing
climax Septimus lights Thomasina's candle
falling action The couples dance
themes Emotion versus intellect; the mystery of sex; the path of knowledge
motifs Fire; sex; mathematics
symbols Primer; apple; Regency clothes
foreshadowing Thomasina draws a hermit in Noakes's drawing; Hannah describes the a mind in "chaos suspected of genius"; Chloe tells Hannah Gus is in love with her; Septimus asks Brice where his wife is; Bernard mentions Septimus's tortoise, Plautus; Valentine describes the irreversible motion of heat
