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Arcadia
144 pages, 2017
fiction
1382 books
arts & entertainment
401 booksIn Arcadia, Stoppard takes us back and forth between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, ranging over the themes of truth and time, the difference between the Classical and the Romantic temperament, and the disruptive influence of sex on our orbits in life.
Focusing on the mysteries—romantic, scientific, literary—that engage the minds and hearts of characters whose passions and lives intersect across scientific planes and centuries, it is Stoppard's richest, most ravishing comedy to date.
And so much of this is due to his story's dreamlike quality: you're instantaneously aloft, soaring, banking, doing loop-the-loops (in space), and then when you think you're about to plummet to earth (into a chase scene or a lecture), swooping to a gentle touchdown of not easily described sweetness and sorrow.
In Arcadia, Tom Stoppard explores the concept of order and chaos. He shows how these two seemingly opposite forces can coexist and even complement each other. This can be a great lesson for us in our daily lives, reminding us that it's okay to embrace a bit of chaos in our otherwise orderly lives.
Stoppard encourages us to be intellectually curious. The characters in Arcadia are driven by their desire to learn and understand the world around them. This book can inspire us to keep asking questions, to keep learning, and to never stop being curious.
Arcadia leaves some mysteries unresolved, which can be a powerful storytelling tool. It invites us to engage with the story, to think about possible answers, and to create our own interpretations. This can be a great reminder for us to embrace the unknown and the uncertain in our own lives.
Stoppard's Arcadia beautifully intertwines mathematics and science with everyday life. It shows us that these subjects are not just abstract concepts, but are deeply connected to our lives. This can encourage us to see the beauty in these subjects and to appreciate their relevance in our lives.
Despite being set in different time periods, the characters in Arcadia experience similar emotions. This shows us that human emotions are timeless and universal. It can remind us to be empathetic and understanding, as the emotions we experience are likely shared by others, regardless of time and place.
Quotes 5
Arcadia by Tom Stoppard is a work of art that transcends time and space, a masterpiece that challenges the mind and touches the heart.
Harold Bloom - Literary criticStoppard's Arcadia is a dazzling display of intellectual and emotional fireworks, a play that combines wit and wisdom in equal measure.
Michael Billington - Theatre criticArcadia is a play of ideas, a meditation on love, truth, and time, a masterpiece that is both intellectually challenging and emotionally satisfying.
John Simon - Film criticArcadia is a play that combines the cerebral and the sensual, a work of art that is as thought-provoking as it is emotionally engaging.
Ben Brantley - Theatre criticArcadia is a play that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally moving, a work of art that is as profound as it is entertaining.
Frank Rich - Op-ed columnist
