Abstract

The contemporary British playwright Tom Stoppard deeply discusses the changes in the contemporary British family relation in his play The Real Thing. He illustrates the influence on the social value and marriage imposed by commercialization and industrialization. In this play, the author who criticizes the materialism, talks about the spiritual crisis and alienation in the modern British families, such as betrayal, distrust, loneliness and fear, calling for the return of love between family members. 

Key words: Tom Stoppard; The Real Thing; commercialization; ethics

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1 Introduction.1

2 Literature review.2

3 Betryal and distrust.3

   3.1Betryal and distrust between Henry and Charlotte.4

   3.2Betryal and distrust between Henry and Annie.5

   3.3Betryal and distrust between Max and Annie.6

   3.4Betryal and distrust between Billy and Annie.7

4 Loneliness and fear.8

   4.1 Loneliness and fear of the female character.8

   4.2 Loneliness and fear of the male character.9

5 Conclusion.10

References .12