Genre
Play
Language
English
Setting and Context
London, early 1700s
Narrator and Point of View
There is no narrator, but the point of view is that of Sarah Millwood,
Tone and Mood
Threatening, underhanded, sordid, forgiving.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonist is Geoge Barnwell, the antagonist is Sarah Millwood
Major Conflict
There is conflict within George himself, as he is torn between betraying his boss and doing what Sarah wants him to do. There is conflict between Sarah and George when he does not want to steal from his boss.
Climax
George is sentenced to death, but is forgiven by his boss, and manages to make peace with God and himself.
Foreshadowing
Sarah intimates that she has been thrown out of her home because George stayed overnight which foreshadows the pressure she puts upon him to steal from and murder his uncle.
Understatement
Sarah is said to be a prostitute but her perceived immorality is understated in that she is not stated to be a con artist or a swindler.
Allusions
The play alludes to a lack of morality that the playwright sees in the working classes.
Imagery
The imagery is very sordid and there is a great difference in the scenery used for Sarah's environment and for both Thorowgood and George's uncle's homes which emphasizes the differences between them.
Paradox
George steals from his boss and betrays his kindness to him but Thorowgood forgives him and ultimately helps him make his peace with God before his is executed.
Parallelism
There is a parallel between Sarah's desire for money and the lengths she will go to in order to get it.
Personification
N/A
Use of Dramatic Devices
N/A
