Developmental Stages: Thomas Holcroft's Early Fiction, Elocutionary Rhetoric, and the Function of the Theater in the Progress of Character

Political opposition to it continued beyond the first night and criticism of the contents of the play was exacerbated by hostility to the perceived political views of the playwright himself. The reviewer is able to identify similarities with earlier plays by Folcroft, including, crucially, its underlying "sentiment", but, at the same time can conclude that it is "perfectly harmless and secure". The dreadful state of the English drama has long been deplored, but few authors have been bold enough to oppose what have appeared to be the principles of public taste. The plot parallels with He's Much to Blame, with its tale of Sir George and Delaval's courtship of Lady Jane and their interaction with Lord and Lady Vibrate, are self-evident. Holcroft presented a serious investigation of contemporary social corruption and injustice and yet was simultaneously able to offer an optimistic "comic" resolution.