12.2 Royall Tyler's The Contrast

The Contrast, a groundbreaking American comedy from 1787, pits traditional American values against European influences in post-Revolutionary New York. The play follows Colonel Manly, a patriotic soldier, and Billy Dimple, a Europeanized American, as they vie for Maria Van Rough's affections.

Through its characters and plot, The Contrast explores themes of nationalism, identity, and cultural clash. It uses comedy and satire to critique European affectations while celebrating American virtues, setting a precedent for future American dramas and helping establish a distinct national voice in theater.

Plot, Characters, and Themes in The Contrast

Plot and characters of The Contrast

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• Set in New York City shortly after the American Revolution in the late 18th century
• Colonel Henry Manly embodies patriotism, honesty, integrity, and loyalty to his country as an American soldier
• Billy Dimple, a wealthy and fashionable American, adopts European manners and values serving as a contrast to Manly
• Maria Van Rough, a young American woman, initially attracted to Dimple but ultimately recognizes the value of Manly's character
• Letitia, Maria's sister, influenced by European fashion and manners
• Jessamy, Dimple's servant, imitates his master's affectations representing the influence of European culture on the lower classes
• Romantic rivalry between Manly and Dimple for Maria's affections drives the plot
• Manly's brother, Jonathan, arrives from the country confused by the city's social norms and customs
• Dimple's true character is exposed and Maria decides to marry Manly affirming the superiority of American values

Themes of nationalism and identity

• Highlights differences between American and European values and manners in the post-Revolutionary period
• American values represented by Manly and Maria embodying honesty, simplicity, and loyalty to their country
• European values portrayed through Dimple and Jessamy obsessed with fashion, social status, and superficiality
• Promotes American nationalism by celebrating the virtues of the new nation and critiquing European cultural influence
• Emphasizes the importance of cultural identity and the need for Americans to develop distinct values and customs
• Explores the contrast between rural and urban life with Jonathan's character highlighting the differences

Comedy and satire in The Contrast

• Employs comedy and satire to expose and critique the affectations and follies of characters who have adopted European manners
• Dimple's character satirically represents the pretentious and superficial aspects of European culture
• Jessamy's character satirizes the influence of European culture on the lower classes and the absurdity of imitating foreign manners
• Jonathan's character provides comic relief through his naivety and confusion when confronted with urban social norms
• Humorous situations and witty dialogue entertain the audience while conveying the author's social and political messages
• Encourages Americans to recognize the importance of their own values and resist the allure of European cultural influence

Significance in American drama

• Considered one of the first American comedies and an important milestone in the development of American drama written in 1787
• Helps establish a distinctly American voice in theater moving away from the dominant influence of European plays and themes
• Success demonstrates the potential for American playwrights to create works that resonate with American audiences and reflect their experiences
• Themes of nationalism, cultural identity, and the celebration of American values set a precedent for future American plays
• Use of comedy and satire to critique society and promote American ideals influences subsequent generations of American dramatists
• Structure including a romantic plot, comic subplots, and a moral message becomes a model for many later American comedies
• Serves as a pioneering work that helps shape the direction and character of American drama in the post-Revolutionary period