Arcadia: Full of Connecting Book Ends

Submitted by ciidp43 on Wed, 2012-05-23 18:17

I really enjoy this play so far. There is humor, but there for sure is a deeper meaning. I love the idea of the two time periods, but same location. The way everything flows together is really incredible. One of my favorite connections that we mentioned today was the idea of the papers for an algorithm. Valentine says that tens of thousands of pieces of paper are needed to create such a math problem which is why Thomasina couldn’t complete one.

However, tens of thousands of pieces of paper with scribble on them were found in the hermitage, but then burned. So my guess right now is that Thomasina has some connection to the hermit or is the hermit herself.
However, I see an even bigger connection between the two periods. When talking with Septimus, Thomasina was so angry about the library of Alexandria being burned and therefore destroyed. Countless works of literature that could have changed the course of history went up in flames. I think it’s ironic that she has such a view. Then, what I suspect has her own papers, works go up in flames when discovered believed they are nothing more than a waste of paper and the work of a lunatic. I think this is such an interesting connection because she was so angry about the destruction of Alexandria. In addition, Septimus earlier told her, that her works would not survive past her own years. Yet, the funny thing is that her journal does and these papers, with maybe some solutions, don’t. Whether the papers belonged to Thomasina, as I think they do, it still works a great bookend to two intertwining tales.

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ecsoccergirl's picture

BookEnds that NeverEnd

Submitted by ecsoccergirl on Wed, 2012-05-23 19:17.

Personally, I enjoy the literary brilliance behind Arcadia. However, I am having trouble catching all of the book ends due to the two different plots. Also, reading it aloud in class, I find that it can be hard to follow the characters and the plot as new people portray each character every page. That being said, it is fun when I actually am able to make the connection on my own.

I did not remember the fact that Septimus Hodge had told Thomasina that her works would not be remembered, yet Hannah and Valentine were discussing and reading them. However, when Mr. Scotese brought that up, I was awed behind the connections that I think Tom Stoppard realized some of these book ends.

The one connection that keeps popping up not only in this book but in many works of literature is the use of a garden and apple. First of all, some of the story takes place in a garden. In a garden, vegetation grows, and in this plot, knowledge goes. Then from there I think of the tree of knowledge. In this play, an apple is mentioned frequently and bitten by Septimus. One could look at Septimus as sinful for eating the apple, just like Adam and Eve. His evil actions include him telling Thomasina all about "carnal embrace" along with sleeping with Mrs. Chater. As we continue to read act two, I look forward to see if there will be a consequence. In addition, Hannah plays with the leaf from the apple. I look forward to thinking about whether she is learning from the tree of knowledge or sinning for touching it.

For me, this book end is something to look forward to as I read and keeps me on my toes. These connections remind me of the Stephen Booth moments we had with words in literary books. However this time, more than with the other works we looked at, I think these connections serve a purpose, just practicality since it is a play and many things must stay due to the limitations of a set.