Caragiale is believed to have used and developed several themes already present in Romanian theatre. One such precursor is the author of comedies Teodor Myller, especially through his play Fata lui Chir Troancă ("Kir Troancă's Daughter").Cioculescu, pp. 181-182 The writer was most likely very familiar with the comedies authored by his two uncles, Costache and Iorgu Caragiale, which have been shown to develop themes he later explored in depth. Among the minor 19th century dramatists whose comedic works were familiar to Caragiale, and in many ways similar to his, own was Costache Halepliu.Cazimir (1967), pp. 73-76, 79 Another often-cited influence is his predecessor and adversary Vasile Alecsandri, whose Coana Chirița plays are an early critique of Westernization.Cazimir (1967), pp. 70-72 The two authors nonetheless differ in many ways, with Caragiale assuming a more complex role, and observing a more complex society.Cazimir (1967), pg. 72; Mîndra, pg. 32
