Why Do People Use Sound In Show Boat?

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Show Boat (1936) is an impactful musical that uses sound to bring forth the emotion that the dialogue does not. While there are musical numbers that speak to the emotions of the characters, the choice of background music has an even more drastic effect. For instance, soft, romantic music accompanies the meeting of Nola and Ravenal, setting an intimate and tender tone. Conversely, somber music underscores the moment when Julie is exposed for being mixed-race, highlighting the tension and gravity of the situation. In contrast, there are moments where one may typically expect background music, and there are not. The most powerful example of this is when Nola receives the letter stating that Ravenal is not coming back to her. This silence demonstrates