Dec 20, 2009

Nothing but the Truth | Themes and Characters

Perhaps Nothing but the Truth is to be best understood as a tragedy, with some of the same elements found in Shakespeare's drama Hamlet. Miss Narwin is an idealist, as is Hamlet. She is brought down primarily by her good qualities, as is Hamlet. Her ruin is as unfair as Hamlet's death. The "Miss" in Miss Narwin's name is highlighted by Philip's contemptuous reference to it, as if no man would have her, but Nothing but the Truth deals heavily in dramatic irony, and Philip's cruel remarks actually serve to underline the fact that Miss Narwin is married to her work, dedicated...