In 'Tom Stoppard?s plays: Patterns of plenitude and parsimony' Nigel Purse assesses the complete canon of Tom Stoppard?s works on a thematic basis. He explains that, amongst the plenitude of chaotic comedy, wordplay and intellectual ping-pong of Stoppard?s plays, the principle of parsimony that is Occam?s razor lies at the heart of his works. He identifies key patterns in theme ? ethics and duality - and method ? Stoppard?s stage debates and his dramatic vehicles - as well as in theatrical devices. 0Quoting extensively from all Stoppard?s published works, many of his interviews and also unpublished material Nigel Purse arrives at a comprehensive and unique appraisal of Stoppard?s plays.