THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DORINE IN REVEALING MORAL
MESSAGES
IN
MOLIERE’S
TARTUFFE
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of SarjanaSastra
in English Letters
By
BONDAN ADHI WIBOWO Student Number: 024214040
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA 2008
This undergraduate thesis is dedicated to
My Beloved Family,
My Friends,
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The first and foremost, I would like to bestow my deepest gratitude to
Jesus Christ for giving me his blessing, strength, chance, and patience. Thanks for
always guiding me every second in my life.
Secondly, my greatest appreciation goes to my beloved parents, Heru
Pramono and Pudjiningtyas, who always give me love, encouragement, and
motivation to finish my study. I thank my brother Ivan Adi Prabowo for his love
and support in many ways. My gratitude is also for my big family, I thank them.
A special thank for my advisor, Maria Ananta Tri Suryandari, S.S., M.Ed.,
who has always give me her precious time in guiding me to finish this thesis. I
thank her for correcting my thesis so that I could complete this thesis. Big thanks,
for helping me to realize my ideas. I also would like to thank to my Co. advisor,
Paulus Sarwoto, S.S., M.A for his suggestions and ideas. I thank to all lecture in
Sanata Dharma University for teaching me many things.
My gratitude also goes to all my best friends; Yabes, Sigit Nugraha, Fitra,
Leo, David, Dimas, D N G, Yere, Jeff, Maynard, Koh Abun, Garry, Alfa, Parjo,
Steva, Wawik. I thanks to all my friends at class 2002 and all my friends in
English Literature department. I am proud to know them all. I thank to all
Panggung Boneka’s crews.I thank Dodi, Koh Yuan, Surya, and Cipoo. I thank
them for our precious moments together. I thank Priska, Saras, Angga, Wawan,
Eka, Dietha, Kasdu XiX, Mas Yunus, Om Ponco, Om Sasongko, Mbak Ratna and
all Plengkung Youth Community. I thank to all “Woyo” team in GKJ Plengkung
Magelang. I thank for those whom I cannot mention one by one, for their fun lives
and ideas.
Last but not least is my gratitude for “Adek” a thousand thanks for love,
laugh, strength, and support. I love her.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER II: THEORETICAL REVIEW ………. 7
A. Review of Related Studies ………. 7
B. Review of Related Theories ………... 10
1. Theories on Character and Characterization ………. 10
2. Theories on Message ………. 14
3. Theories on Moral ………. 16
4. Theory on Moral Teaching……….. 17
5. The Relation Between Literature and Moral ………. 18
C. Theoretical Framework …... 19
CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY ……….. 20
A. Object of the Study ……… 20
B. Approach of the Study ……… 21
C. Method of the Study ………... 22
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS ………... 24
A. Dorine’s Characteristics ………... 24
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION ……….. 53
ABSTRACT
BONDAN ADHI WIBOWO. The Significant of Dorine in revealing moral messages in Moliere’s Tartuffe. Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters, Faculty of letters, Sanata Dharma University, 2008.
Tartuffe tells about a family in a kingdom where the king has been blinded by someone whom he considers a saint. He lost everything he has because of this. However, a lady-maid was able to save this family from destruction. The writer tries to analyze the characters of this lady-maid and conclude some things which can be taken as moral messages.
In this thesis, the writer would try to analyze (1) how are Dorine’s personalities portrayed in Tartuffe,and (2) how are the moral messages portrayed through the character of Dorine.
To do the analysis, the writer did several steps. First, the writer conducted close reading on the novel in getting deeper understanding about it especially concerned with the problems stated above. Next, the writer examined the secondary data. After getting all the selected data, the writer would start to analyze the problems and apply those related theories in the analysis. The writer would start by describing the characters of Dorine in the novel. Then, after analyzed Dorine’s characters the writer tries to analyze what are the moral messages can be taken from the characters of Dorine by applying significant theories. Then, in the last step, the writer drew a conclusion as the result of the analysis.
The result of the analysis shows that the writer found five Dorine’s characters. In the play Tartuffe, Dorine is described as a brave, unselfish, calm, wise and caring to the family. Those characteristics are the characters which make Dorine able to help this kingdom family save from destruction. While the messages which can be concluded after analyzed Dorine’s characteristics are; firstly, people should have bravery so that people will firm and steady, especially when they have to defend for the truth. Secondly, people should be unselfish so that people can have a passion of belonging a family and growing the feeling of togetherness. Thirdly, people are taught to be calm in everything people do so that people will able to think clearly in solving problems. Forth, people are taught to be wise so that people will know how to do and to act. Fifth, People should care to their family so that people understand the essence of a family. From these messages, the writer concludes that the moral message of this play is that people must tell the truth in every situation and condition.
ABSTRAK
BONDAN ADHI WIBOWO. The Significant of Dorine in revealing moral messages in Moliere’s Tartuffe. Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters, Faculty of letters, Sanata Dharma University, 2008.
Tartuffe menceritakan tentang sebuah keluarga kerajaan dimana sang raja telah dibuat buta oleh seseorang yang dianggapnya orang suci. Dia kehilangan segalanya karena hal ini. Namun seorang pembantu raja tersebut mampu menyelamatkan keluarga tersebut dari kehancuran. Penulis mencoba menganalisa karakter dari pembantu tersebut dan menyimplkan beberapa hal yang dapat diambil sebagai pesan moral.
Dalam thesis ini, penulis akan menanalisa (1) bagaimana karakter Dorine digambarkan di dalam Tartuffe, dan (2) apa saja pesan moral yang disampaikan lewat karakter Dorine tersebut.
Dalam menganalisa, penulis melakukan beberapa langkah. Pertama, penulis melakukan pembacaan seksama agar diperoleh pemahaman lebih mendalam mengenai drama tersebut, khususnya berkenaan dengan masalah yang diungkap di atas. Lalu, penulis akan memeriksa data-data sekunder. Setelah memperoleh seluruh data, penulis akan memulai menganalisa dan menerapkan seluruh teori yang berkaitan. Penulis akan mulai mendeskripsikan karakter Dorine dalam novel. Kemudian, setelah menganalisa karakter Dorine, penulis mencoba menganalisa pesan-pesan moral apa saja yang bisa diambil dari karakter Dorine dengan mengaplikasikan teori yang berkaitan. Kemudian, langkah terakhir adalah menarik kesimpulan dari hasil analisa.
A. Background of the Study
”Literature is a social institution that uses a social creation, i.e. language as
its medium. It is the representation which is in a large measure, a social reality”
(Wellek and Warren, 1956: 94). A literary work is created by using social
creations to represent the social reality. Moreover, literature can contain social
aspects such as social relationship or social values in which particular social
circumstances rule the way of life of certain group of people. Literature can also
be regarded as a means of communication with certain society or even a nation by
composing a particular piece of literary works. For some people, literary work is
something precious that gives knowledge and pleasure for those who read it.
According to Wellek and Warren, a literary work does not only please the readers,
but also gives them a kind of knowledge (1956: 30-31). From this idea, the writer
thinks that the audiences can get knowledge by reading a literary work. Literature
can also be regarded as human being’s manifestation of his own life. It usually
describes human being’s experiences of life. Therefore, it can give a kind of
lesson of life by understanding and learning the content of literary works the
readers read. It was stated by Moody in the following quotation:
And all of us who read literary work will find our knowledge broadened and deepened, whether in the individual, the social, the racial, or in the internal sphere; we shall understand the possibilities of human life, both for good and evil; we shall understand how we come to live at particular time and place, with all its pleasure and vexations and problems we shall
understand the ways onwards which are open to us, and we shall perhaps be able to make right rather than wrong choices (1968: 2-3)
It is obvious that the audiences can get experiences from the activity of
reading a piece of literary work. Literary work can also enrich their knowledge
and give them a kind of guidance to endure their life in a better way. It can make
the audiences wiser to decide something related to their choices. It helps them
face the world with its problems realistically. Therefore, when the audiences can
learn many things from literature, it can be a very good teacher of human’s life.
There are many genres of literary works in the world. The examples of
genres of literary works are poetry, prose, and drama. In this thesis, the writer tries
to analyze one of the genres of literary works, which is drama. Drama is an
interesting media which is easy to be enjoyed because the audiences just need to
sit and watch the drama. Everything in it has been set up including the characters
and the setting of the drama, so that the audiences do not need to imagine a certain
condition or a certain character just like when they read a literary work. When
they have to read a literary work, they have to imagine certain condition or
character which is presented by the author. Inside drama there are many elements
that can be analyzed such as; character, society, and even philosophical idea. In
this thesis, the writer tries to analyze one of the elements of drama which is
character. An appearance of character is very important in a literary work.
Through the character, a theme, a moral message, and other intrinsic elements of a
literary work can be revealed. A character can be used to describe something or to
In this thesis the writer is interested in one of Moliere’s (1622-1673) plays
Tartuffe, because the play is a satiric comedy, which for some people is
pleasurable, and can be easily understood. From this satiric comedy, the writer
thinks that the audiences can get knowledge by reading or watching the play.
Molière is known to be one of the greatest playwrights in the history of France.
Born in 1622, his given name was Jean Baptiste Poquelin. He has written many
satiric comedies. “His plays were what we call "satirical", which basically means
he poked fun at everything and everyone! And example of this is in the play
Tartuffe.” (Orlando Shakespeare Theater, 2002)
The writer in this thesis will focus on moral message which is seen in the
play Tartuffe, because the writer believes that Moliere, through Dorine, states some moral messages. The writer believes that the moral messages can give
knowledge for the audiences which can be used by the audiences as a kind of
guidance in their life. In the play Moliere tries to show the moral message from
the behaviors of the lady-maid Dorine. Dorine as a minor character in Tartuffe
portrays a symbol of roman dramatic comedy. She is a lady maid of Orgon’s
family. Even she is just a minor character and a lady-maid, she is used by Moliere
to reveal the moral messages in this play. This is shown by many acts given to the
character of Dorine and her dialogues with other characters. She is shown in
almost every scene. In the play, she is described as a clever lady maid that helps
the family overcome all the problems.
world, a satiric comedy. The play is actually a criticism toward the relation
between religion and kings in that particular time. Religion had a very strong
effect/influence to the authority of a king. The play is set in an urban landscape.
The play is about tragedy and romantic comedy-love, honor, loyalty, and of
course hypocrisy, and betrayal. Tartuffe tells about a man named Tartuffe that
affects the life of a family through Orgon, a king in that particular time. Tartuffe
is described as a hypocritical, and Orgon is obsessed with him. It is Orgon’s
obsession of Tartuffe which is used by Tartuffe to take over all Orgon’s
properties. Moreover, Tartuffe uses Orgon to fulfill his own fantasy of autonomy
and authority. It is because Tartuffe realizes that Orgon always do what he said.
Tartuffe transforms him into a kind of monster. Orgon comes near to selling his
daughter, disinheriting his son, allowing his wife to be raped, and losing his
family’s property and fortune. Orgon does not realize that what he did is
advantages Tartuffe and makes him suffer a loss. When he realizes that, he lost all
that he has. However, through the cleverness of Dorine, he can get back
everything he has lost.
The writer chooses Tartuffe because Moliere tends to draw the moral messages through the character of Dorine.
B. Problem Formulation
Referring to the background of study in the previous part, there are two
questions formulated as follows.
2. How are the moral messages portrayed through the character of
Dorine?
C. Objectives of the Study
The aim of this thesis is to present a discussion about moral messages on
Moliere’s Tartuffe. The discussion is mainly to answer the two questions in the problem formulation. The objectives of the study are presented as follows.
Firstly, the writer tries to describe the characteristics of Dorine in the play.
In this discussion, the writer will analyze the characteristics of Dorine as a minor
character in the play. Secondly, the writer tries to know how the moral messages
are revealed through Dorine’s characteristics as seen through the behaviors and
the dialogues of Dorine from the beginning of the play until the end of the play.
D. Definition of Terms
In this part, the writer tries to explain some terms in order to help the
readers understand this thesis and to avoid misunderstanding in meaning. Some
words will be defined to guide the readers in understanding this thesis. The writer
gets definition of the specific terms mostly from books, which are considered well
- qualified.
1. Character and Characterization
Character means personality; it is the mental and moral quality of a figure,
and Burto, 1988: 71). The writer can conclude that there is a mental and a moral
quality inside someone’s personality.
According Rohrberger and Woods, characterization is the process by
which an author creates a character, the devices by which he makes us believe a
character is the particular type of person he is (1971: 80). It means that
characterization was aimed to help the readers to understand the character that
have been described by the author.
2. Message
Message is defined as an idea that someone tries to communicate to
people. It also the meaning, thought or idea that is intended to express (Sinclair,
1988: 490). The writer concludes that a message is an idea or thought which is
expressed through a literary work. According to Jerome Beaty and J Paul Hudson
in New World of Literature (1989: 899), message is the real "meaning" inside that
leads to oversimplification and give the illusion that a work of literature exists for
its statement. In this study, the message revealed by character is focused.
3. Moral
According to John K. Roth's book entitled Encyclopedia of Ethics "moral" is concerned with personally held ethical beliefs, theories of obligation, and the
social elements that reinforce ethical decisions. (1978: 367). The writer can
conclude that moral is an attitude of someone that able to judge or differentiate
between right or wrong. According to “Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary”,
moral means concerned with principles of right and wrong behaviours. Moral also
CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL REVIEW
A. Review of Related Studies
Born in the 1622, Moliere, whose given name was Jean Baptiste Poquelin,
was one of the famous French playwrights. Beside a playwright, he is also known
as a great dramatist and a fine comic actor as well and he performed in his own
plays. He became an important playwright and both acted and wrote in a splendid
series of plays that satirized the manners and morals of elegant society. Those
were Les Precieuses Ridicules (1659), Sganarelle (1660), School For Husbands
(1661), School For Wives (1662), Don Juan (1665), The Misanthrope (1666), The Doctor In Spite Of Himself (1666), The Miser (1668), The Learned Ladies (1672),
and The Imaginary Invalid (1673). Among above, Tartuffe is the best-known work that the writer is interested in.
Basically, the play Tartuffe is criticism about the relation between the
religion and the king in French under Louis XIV. The play is about authority and
power. The religion and the king had absolute power in the society. Particularly
religion and politics were bound together. Through the idea of Moliere, Tartuffe
was created in the form of comedy. Although the comedy pleased the king, the
Catholic Church banned it for the strong criticism shown in it.
However, in this thesis, the writer does not focus on the criticism of the
relation between religion and the king, but in the moral messages shown by the
character of Dorine. The play does not explicitly offer moral, however, the writer
tries to draw the moral messages. It is why the writer attempts to explore moral
issues in this play rather than focusing on the criticism the relation between the
religion and the king in French under Louis XIV.
The character of Dorine and the way she acts are the main idea of the
writer to make this thesis. The writer wants to analyze Dorine’s characteristics
through her behaviours. Most of actions and dialogues from Dorine will be
analyzed to find the moral messages inside the characteristics of Dorine.
The play of Tartuffe tells the reader about the character Dorine, who has characteristics through the way she acts and from her dialogues with other
characters. From these characteristics, she also brings some moral message for the
reader. Dorine is a stock character found in many Molière’s comedies, and in fact,
has become a type of character found in comedies of all periods. She is a wise
servant who sees through all pretence, and while being the inferior. She lives
under the absolutism of Orgon and the hypocrisy of Tartuffe. Dorine’s directness
and her simple honesty make her interesting to be analyzed. (Alex Went, 2000)
A maid is a female servant to another female. Typically the
lady-maid would help the woman with her bath, do laundry, help with dinner, and other
household chores. But in Tartuffe Dorine is not such typical maid. Instead, she is
very outspoken and tends to always give her opinion, whether needed or not. She
not only does this with her lady, Mariane, but with other family members. For
example, in Act I, Scene I, Orgon is trying to convince Damis how wonderful
Tartuffe is and that he is not the person that everyone else sees him being. This
opinions than the others about Tartuffe. She frequently satires the man named
Tartuffe right in front of Orgon. Later in Scene II, Dorine confronts Orgon about
his plans to insist that Mariane must leave Valere and marry Tartuffe. Dorine
knows that Mariane loves Valere and that the two should be together, instead of
sacrificing their happiness. Dorine is making a mockery of Orgon’s appalling
idea. (Gerard Lucas, 2006)
Dorine is not simply just a minor character as in other literary works have.
In Tartuffe, she has a significant role. Her character is depicted as a rational character outside the family. She is the representation of truth. She is an honest
lady-maid who is not afraid to point out what is right and what is not. From the
beginning of the play to the end, Dorine is there to point out the inconsistencies
and the flaws within the characters in the play. Dorine is the actual focal point of
the author’s views. She herself is not a hypocrite nor is she blinded by any of
Tartuffe’s hypocrisy. Her vision and ability to see the trickery of Tartuffe, and the
foolishness of the actions of the family are valuable to the understanding of the
play itself. From the explanation above, it can be summed up that through the
character and characterization of Dorine, the writer sees that the role of Dorine
can reveal the moral message that Moliere want to show. (Mega Essays LLC,
2001)
Based on these opinions, it is seen that the characteristics of Dorine is
interesting to be analyzed. Dorine is a calm thinker, brave, wise, unselfish and
caring to Orgon’s family. The writer tries to reveal the message that the readers
Then the writer has mentioned already that even though the play is about
the strong criticism religion and absolute authority in the society, the story of
Tartuffe has other purpose to be revealed. It is to reveal messages or moral values from a character by analyzing her characteristics.
B. Review of Related Theories
There are some theories that the writer wants to apply, such as theory on
character and characterization, theory on message, and theory on moral. These
theories will support the analysis of the play Tartuffe. 1. Theories on Character and Characterization
Character in a literary work is very important. It is needed so that the
readers can understand the story. A character plays an important role in a literary
work. Without a character, the story will not run well. Therefore, the theories of
character and characterization are needed.
According to Murphy (1972: 161-173), there are nine ways that an author
can apply to present the characterization of characters in a literary work. They are:
a. Personal description
The author can describe a character’s appearance and clothes. The readers
will get only a visible look of a character.
b. Characters as seen by another
The author can describe a character through the eyes and opinions of other
c. Speech
The author describes a character by giving readers an insight into the
characteristics through what he says. Here the readers are able to analyze a
character from the sentences he uses.
d. Past life
The author can provide a clue to events that help to shape a person’s
characteristics by giving the readers the character’s past life. This is quite helpful
to analyze the motives that a character has when he has a particular characteristic
or does something special.
e. Conversation of others
The author can also provide a clue to a person’s characteristics through the
conversation of other people and what they say about him or her. Readers will
learn that what others say about a character may reveal some of his characteristics.
f. Reactions
The author can describe a person’s characteristics by showing how a
character responds to various situations and events. The reaction may give a clue
to what characteristics a character has.
g. Direct comment
The author may describe a person’s characteristics by directly giving
readers comments on the character. This is somehow the best way for the readers
to find out any characteristics because they know what exactly the author wants to
h. Thoughts
The author gives readers direct knowledge of what a person is thinking
about. Here the author is able to do what people cannot do in a real life. He can
tell readers what different people are thinking of. In a literary work, it is
acceptable. The readers then are in a privileged position; they have a secret
listening device plugged in to the inmost thoughts of a character in a novel.
i. Mannerism
The author can characterize a character through the mannerisms, habits or
idiosyncrasies. It may tell readers something about his characteristics.
Abrams says that
Characters are the persons presented in a dramatic or narrative work, who are interpreted by the readers as being endowed with moral and dispositional qualities that are expressed in what they say – the dialogue – and by what they do – the action. The grounds in a character’s temperament and moral nature for his speech and actions constitute his motivation (1981: 20).
The quotation means that characters in literary works are understood by readers as
persons whose behavior and individuality are observed through their speeches and
actions. Later, their dialogues and actions can serve as clues to their motivations
for committing some particular events. This is what is expected for the readers to
recognize when they read literary works. They do not only enjoy the aesthetic
value of the stories but also identify the reasons for any events.
Definition of character based Stanton’s A Introduction to Fiction, stated
that the term “character” refers to the mixtures of interests, desires, emotions, and
In this study the writer agrees with Barnet, Berman, and Burto’s opinion
that the mental and moral quality of a figure can be seen through a figure’s
character (Barnet, et al, 1988: 71). A characteristic shows the mental and moral
quality of a figure. Based on this theory, the writer tries to reveal the moral from a
figure in the story.
Perrine in his book states that character can be seen through their actions,
from what a character thinks or says or does (1974: 68). It means that all the
actions can show the character. We can analyze the character from the way they
speak with another character or what they think about another character.
The writer also agrees with Murphy in his book Understanding Unseens
that a character can be described through the eyes and opinion of another
characters, from the other characters say, from conversation of other people and
the things they say about a character or from the reaction of the characters to
various situations and events (1988: 161- 173). Based on this theory, a character
can be described through the other characters opinion, the other characters say and
through the reaction of the characters to various situations and events.
In the book entitled Approach to Literature (1981: 91) Graham explains that a character can be studied from some aspects. The first is the person basic
characteristic which can be seen through the physical condition of the character;
including his or her age, the social relationship between other characters or wider
relationship a social class and occupation, and the mental qualities, that is typical
ways of thinking, feeling and acting. The second is analyzing a person’s
herself, how various other character see him or her, how she develops or fails to
develop during the story.
Mary Rohrberger and Samuel H. Woods in Reading and Writing about Literature said that “characterization is the process by which an author creates character; the devices by which he makes us believe a character is the particular
type of person he is” (1971: 80). From the statement the writer can conclude that
characterization has strong relationship with the author, because the author itself
creates characterization. Those theories are needed in order to help the writer
draws the characteristics and characterization on the play.
2. Theories on Message
Every work of literature consists of and offer moral message. Of course
there are moral lesson conveyed. Fiction, especially play, sometimes may have
more than message. More over the interpretations come from many other readers
may have not involved them. The types of message occurs in literary work
depends on the author’s belief, wish, and interest.
Henry Hudson in his book “An Introduction to the Study of Literature” states that a good message is a message that discloses new a large possibility they
do not realize, most writers would try to tell and to show those possibilities by
using their work. In fact, he even tries to create those possibilities themselves. A
good message does not tend to follow general pattern or norm but it creates new
pattern based on human values (1958: 23).
speech, or the meaning, the thought of idea, that is intended, to express (1988:
490). The example of message can be in form of valuable of words, advice, and
God’s commandment as guidance to give advice and the like.
According to Beaty and Hunter in New World of Literature, message is
the real meaning or some easy conclusion that can be simply stated or
summarized inside a work of art (1988: 899). This means that inside a work of art
there is something that an author wants to give which is can be summarized or
found through a work of art.
The model of literary communication is the author encodes a message that
the readers receive or the author sees a great truth that he reaches the readers by
example. Usually, message seeks to inform or conceive even though it is possible
that it seeks to have the readers comprehend and empathize so that the ideas are
more broadly accessible.
Sometimes, message has a relationship with moral. It means that talking
about message also discussing moral. It can be said that, in general, moral means
a teaching of good and bad (Kenny, 1966:89). However, people’s point of view
about moral and values from one place to another is not always the same. Usually
their point of view is influenced by their way of life.
Every work of literature may offer a moral message and there are many
types of moral lesson conveyed. The type of message occurring in a literary work
depends on the author’s belief, wish, and interest. Moreover the messages have
not been involved by the interpretations that come from the readers. Message in a
option about the values of truth. Message in a story is intended as a suggestion
related to practical lesson that can be taken by the readers through the story. They
are closely related to problems in life, such as attitude, behavior, and the like. The
readers can find them in a real life, in the same manners as they are reflected in
the story through its characters.
The message is distributed through those various ways. By contrast, if the
readers want to understand or interpret the message, they should do it based on the
story and the character’s life.
3. Theories on Moral
Morality comes from Latin word moralis which means customs or
manners. Morality is about the relationship between human being. Thiroux in his
book Ethic Theory and Practice states that the area of morality concentrates on
human conduct and human values (Thiroux, 1995: 3). The morality of a person
depends on their action and their relationship between one and another in the
society.
Another theory is taken from Gardner’s book On Moral Fiction, which is appropriate in this thesis. Gardner says that art is essentially and primarily moral –
that is, life-giving-moral in its process of creation and moral in what it says.
Gardner also says that the “Good for man, which rightly understood cannot be
divorced from what is good for his society and environment, is by another
formulation (whenever action is called for) the moral.” Morality is the body, or
can no more exist independent of function than time can exist without a natural or
man made clock (1933:134)
Still from Gardner, he says that morality is definitely complex to be
reduced to any code, which is why it is suitable matter for fiction, which deals in
understanding, not knowledge (1933: 135)
Daniel C. Maguire in his book The Moral Choice stated that morality is relational. It means that morality depends on the relation between people. He also
said that what is moral for one person may be immoral for another because of the
diversity of circumstances (1978: 63). From that statement we can see that people
may see morality in different perspectives.
In the book Norms of The Novel, Harold C. Gardiner stated that:
In Aristotle’s concept, art is essentially, if indirectly, a moral activity-the individual act captured in the creative activity always implies a relationship towards ends and purposes. Such a relationship is a moral fact and the portrayal of such relationship is a moral activity (1953:121)
From the quotation, we can conclude that moral found in art is different
from each person’s perspective. It depends on the relationship among people, and
the circumstances in which the character lives in the play, or if related to the
audiences, then it will depend on the circumstances in which the audiences live.
4. Theory on Moral Teaching
Every literary work contains and offers moral teaching. There are many
types of moral teaching conveyed. Fiction, like plays, sometimes may have more
than one moral teaching. Roth states that moral teaching is "a learning that results
advancement in thought and emotions from a self-centered orientation to socially
the moral teaching based on one of the character from the play. Then the writer
finds out the messages in the play to conclude the moral teaching. As we know,
not all messages are a kind of moral teaching, however, moral teaching in literary
work can be in the form of message. Therefore, the writer also uses theories of
message to analyze the moral teaching inside the play.
5. The Relation between Literature and Moral
According to Guerin, the function of literature is to teach morality and to
probe philosophy issues. The reader would interpret literature within a context of
the philosophical thought in a period of group existence. (1979: 29)
Matthew and Arnold, quoting from Guerin’s The Victorian Ethic, state that
a great literary work must possess “high seriousness”, in each instance. The critic,
working from a moral bent is not unaware of firm, figurative language, and other
purely aesthetic considerations but they also added that the important thing is the
moral or the philosophical. (1979: 30)
Gardner says in his book On Moral Nature of Human that literature as an
art is essentially and primary moral that is life giving (1978: 15). Gardner wants
to say that literary works, such as a novel, may contain moral values reflected
from human life and experiences.
Gardner also states that a work of art, which contains moral lesson,
provides values and rouse trustworthy feeling about the best and the worst in
human action (1978: 19). This means that throughout literary works, the reader
can obtain moral messages as the lesson by understanding the context; in
C. Theoretical Framework
In this study the writer uses some theories that the writer have explained
previously to draw the topic above. The theories have their own contribution to
the analysis.
The first theory that the writer used is theory character and
characterization. This theory is used to analyze Dorine’s attitude and behavior
from the beginning to the end of the play and to understand how Dorine’s
character develops during the story. After analyzing the description of Dorine’s
character, it can be seen that her character bring moral messages for the readers.
The second theory is theory of message. The theory is used as the basic to
reveal the message of the story. The theory is needed to analyze the message that
described from Dorine’s character. Through what Dorine’s action, the writer sees
that Dorine did what she has to do. She has done the right things. From this point
the writer is able to see the lessons given by the character of Dorine through her
action. The lessons given by Dorine become the moral messages of the play.
The next theory is the theory of the relation between literature and moral.
The moral message obtained from the play is shown that literature and moral are
related each other. Literature, through the play, literature can give moral values to
the reader or the audience.
Based on the writer explanation above it can be seen that those theories are
related to each other, one theory supports the others. The writer needs those
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
A. Object of the Study
The writer uses Tartuffe, a 17th century satirical comedy which has five
parts of act. Tartuffe was first performed in a private production for King Louis
XIV of France in 1664.
Tartuffe is a contemporary play that mirrors the religious struggles of the
seventeenth century. This is a play about authority and power, and the reality is
that “Orgon himself is largely responsible for Tartuffe's imposture” (Gossman,
112). Religion and politics were inextricably bound together, with the way to
temporal power being ecclesiastical. It also has to do with the family and its
potential destruction by an intruder.
This play Tartuffe iswritten by Moliere. Born in 1622, his given name was Jean Baptiste Poquelin. The play was criticized by Catholic churches for its
portrait of hypocritical piety. The church was so upset by this, so that the play has
been banned for three times before King Louis the XIV, a big fan of Molière's
work, allowed it to be performed. Molière had almost as many enemies as he had
friends. In fact, his plays were banned in the cities all over France, including in his
hometown.
Molière is known to be one of the greatest playwrights in the history of
France. However, his life was far from glamorous. He took up the pen name
little respect in the social structure of France. (Orlando Shakespeare Theater,
2002)
Tartuffe by Moliere is about a life of a family under the hypocrisy. In Tartuffe, Orgon, a wealthy family man, takes in a stranger by the name of Tartuffe
to stay in his home. Tartuffe appears to be an extremely pious and devout man of
religion, and Orgon regards him almost as a saint. Orgon offers Tartuffe his best
food and drink and places the needs of his guest above those of his wife, Elmire,
and children. He plans to force his daughter, Mariane, to marry Tartuffe and to
disinherit his son, Damis, in order to make Tartuffe the sole heir to his fortune. All
of Orgon’s friends and family regard Tartuffe as a con man who only pretends to
be of the highest moral authority but who does not practice what he preaches.
Orgon has been warned that Tartuffe may be deceiving him in order to gain both
financially and socially, but Orgon is blind to these warnings. Orgon finally learns
that he has been betrayed by his guest when he overhears Tartuffe trying to seduce
his wife. However, when he orders Tartuffe to leave his house, Tartuffe seeks
revenge by trying to seize all of Orgon’s property and to have Orgon arrested. In
the end, through the intervention of the King and the help of the lady-maid,
Dorine, Tartuffe is arrested, and harmony is restored to Orgon’s household.
(Thomson Gale, 2005)
B. Approach of the Study
In order to obtain a deep understanding about literary work, the writer
writer will use philosophical approach. The writer chooses
moral-philosophical approach because the approach will help the writer in analyzing
how the main character reflects moral values. As stated in the story, the characters
show some moral values. Guerin states that moral-philosophical approach is
approach which insists on ascertaining and stating what is exposed and taught
(1979: 39). The statement here means that the moral-philosophical approach
achieve the moral quality through what is seen and learnt from a character.
Another theory from Wilbur that the study of the technique of literature is
a study of mean, whereas it concerned with the end of literature as affecting man,
with literature as it takes place in the human forum of ideas and attitudes (1962:
123-125). The proponent of this approach emphasize that moral lesson beneath
the story is needed to govern human attitude and behavior. Moral attitude of
individual is confined by the personal circumstances. Therefore, the writer
analyzed the person’s character development that revealed moral lesson. In that
case, it is reasonable to apply the moral- philosophical approach.
C. Method of the Study
In this study the writer used literary research in analyzing Moliere’s
Tartuffe. This literary study employed library research, meaning that books are most important sources in it. There were two kinds of resources used in this study.
The primary source of the research was obtained from the novel Tartuffe
written by Moliere. The secondary sources were obtained books on literature
development, the relation between literature and moral, and message, such as
Abrams in his book A Glossary of Literary Terms, Mary Rohrberger and Samuel
H. Woods in Reading and Writing about Literature, An Introduction to Fiction by Stanton, Forster in Aspect of the Novel and Related Writing, Beaty and Hunter in
New World of Literature, An Introduction to the Study of Literature by Henry
Hudson, Gadner in On Moral Nature of Human, Meredith and Fizgreald in their book Structuring Your Novel: From Basic Idea to Finished Manuscript and
Perrine in his book Literature, Structure, Sound and Sense.
This literary study also employed internet in order to get complete
knowledge in analyzing the novel, the writer did search by browsing in the
internet. There are many data that can be found by the writer in supporting the
study in some websites.
The next step was starting to analyze the play. The analysis focused on
obtaining the answers of two questions stated in the problem formulation. In this
part, firstly, the writer tried to answer the first problem by finding what Dorine’s
personalities are. In this case, the writer tried to pay attention to the whole text
focusing on the Dorine’s attitudes. The next step, I tried to answer the second
problem by finding out the moral messages portrayed through the character of
CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
In this chapter, the writer tries to answer the question above which has
been mentioned in the problem formulation. The writer uses some theories that
have been discussed in previous chapter to find out the characteristics of Dorine,
and the moral message through the character of Dorine.
A. Dorine’s characteristics
Dorine as a minor character in Tartuffe portrayed a symbol of roman
dramatic comedy. She is a lady’s maid of Orgon’s family. In the play she is
described as a very clever lady’s maid that helps to overcome all the problems.
Dorine as a neutral side in the play tries to reveal the hypocrisy presented by
Tartuffe and Dorine help unite Orgon’s family. Dorine is described as a brave,
unselfish, calm, and wise person. She cares for the Orgon’s family, and Dorine is
also a clever lady-maid.
Dorine’s characteristics as seen in the play are important to the writer to
support the process of the analysis. The writer tries to describe the characteristics
of Dorine through her dialogues to others characters and through her actions in the
play.
Based on the theory of character and characterization, the writer analyzes
Dorine’s characteristics. One theory given by Murphy is that seeing a character
character. It can be seen from some of her dialogues or her speech with some of
the characters in the play. In one of the scenes, she shows her argument with the
king, Orgon. She argues with her king, Orgon, to defend Mariane from her
father’s plan. This shows Dorine’s characteristic who is brave to fight for truth.
She defends Mariane from her father’s plan to marry her to Tartuffe. In this
occasion, the scene is a dialogue between Orgon and Mariane. Orgon tries to
persuade Mariane to marry Tartuffe. However, Mariane has already engaged to
Valere. She does not want to marry Tartuffe because she is in love with Valere.
She also reminds her father that her father has already given his blessing to them.
Dorine, then, quietly join the conversation between the two. She heard Orgon’s
plan about the marriage. She disagrees with Orgon’s plan. She believes that
Mariane should be with the man she loves. She shows her bravery by interrupting
Orgon’s words when he had the conversation with his daughter. Then it becomes
a hard conversation between Orgon and Dorine. Instead of continuing his words
to Mariane, Orgon is arguing with Dorine. Once Orgon has a chance to speak, she
always replies to him. Actually Orgon is speaking to his daughter, but Dorine is
always giving the response before Mariane has a chance to speak. Even though
she is not the member of the family she confidently does that. She interrupts
Orgon’s words by giving him satirical words about Tartuffe, the man Orgon’s
want Mariane to marry. She does not fear Orgon, even when Orgon threaten her
with his words. She is ready with anything that could possibly risk her. She could
king. She stands firm on her words because she believes that Mariane deserves
get the best.
Dorine: If I didn’t protest this sinful marriage, my conscience couldn’t rest Orgon: If you don’t hold your tongue, you little shrew…
Dorine: What, lost your temper? A pious man like you?
Orgon: Yes! Yes! You talk and talk. I’m maddened by it. Once for all, I tell you to be quiet.
Dorine: Well, I’ll be quiet . But I’ll be thinking hard. (Act II, scene 2, 94)
Another Dorine’s bravery against Orgon is when she is asked by Orgon about the
condition of the family when Orgon left the house. Dorine answers all his
questions with satire words when she is asked about the condition of Tartuffe
while she is telling the health of Elmire. In the conversation between the two, it is
very obvious that Dorine does put herself to defend Elmire. Her bravery is shown
by mocking Tartuffe in front of her master. Dorine strongly disagreed with
Orgon’s attitude which more concern to Tartuffe rather than his own wife. She
shows it by stating unfriendly words when she tells him about the condition of
Tartuffe. At the same time she bravely tells the condition of Elmire even though
Orgon unserious asking about the condition of his wife. Orgon always repeat his
question on Tartuffe. “Ah, and Tartuffe?”. It shows that Orgon is more concern to
Tartuffe rather than his wife. In this occasion, Dorine is showing her bravery by
showing her responsibility to take care her lady. Even though Orgon does not care
with the condition of his wife, still Dorine believe that she has to do the report as
it must be done by a lady-maid. Even, she strongly disagrees with what Orgon
Dorine: Well, the pains continued strong, and so she tossed and tossed the whole night long, now icy cold, now burning like a flame. We sat beside her bed till morning came
Orgon: Ah, and Tartuffe?
Dorine: Why, having eaten, he rose, and sought into his room, already in a doze, got into his warm bed, and snored away in perfect peace until the break of the day. (Act I, Scene 4)
Dorine is also brave in facing Madam Pernelle. Madam Pernelle is Orgon’s
mother. She is very powerful in Orgon’s house. However, Dorine is not afraid to
states her opinion. In this play Madam Pernelle has the same opinion about
Tartuffe with Orgon. She believes that Tartuffe is a saint. Still, Dorine is stating
truth and disagrees with Madam Pernelle’s opinion about Tartuffe. Later, Dorine
and Madam Pernelle is having a debate on Tartuffe. Madam Pernelle thinks the
way Orgon thinks, that Tartuffe is a good man. She does not like Tartuffe being
mocked by the family, especially by Dorine who is just a lady-maid. She defends
him by telling the family that Tartuffe is a man send by God. Dorine, in the other
hand thinks that Tartuffe is just a hypocrite, and she believes it is true. Here,
Dorine showing her bravery by arguing Madam Pernelle’s word and firmly
believes that Tartuffe is a hypocrite. She bravely mocks Tartuffe in front of
Madam Pernelle straight away.
Madam Pernelle: And practices precisely what he preaches. He’s a fine man, should be listened to. I will not hear him mocked by fools like you. (Act I, Scene 1, 43)
Another scene which shows that Dorine is brave is when Monsieur Loyal comes
to the Orgon’s house and command he and his family to leave the house because
the house has now belong to Tartuffe. Dorine also shows up. She does not run
away or doing nothing. This proves that she is a brave lady-maid. She is there to
defend the family. She bravely uses satirical words to argue with Monsieur Loyal
even though it dangers herself and put herself in a trouble.
Dorine: Monsieur Loyal, I’d love to hear the whack of a stout stick across your fine broad back.
Monsieur Loyal: Take care: a woman too may go to jail is she uses threatening language to a bailiff. (Act V, scene 7, 88)
Dorine is described as an unselfish character. According to Abrams, a
character can be recognized through his or her actions. In this section, the writer
observes Dorine’s behavior and actions to get her characteristic. Many people in
this modern era are closing their eyes to the difficulty that others have. Even, they
will help whenever there are some advantages that they can get. The common
thing that frequently happens now is that a help which is given must be followed
by a reward, gift, or prize. However in this play, Dorine tries to offer something
which is more valuable than a gift, money, or reward. Dorine sacrifices herself for
the sake of others, in this play, Orgon’s family. She is more concern with other
people needs than her self ego. A selfish person is a person who always wants a
justice, beneficially, condition for himself or herself. Even a person like this will
take happiness from other to make that kind of condition. In this play, Dorine
never be the character stated above. Dorine is the only major character in this play
thing that becomes Dorine’s need is her moral responsibility to herself. However,
this is different from the other characters.
Every character in this play has his or her goal. First character who has his own
goal is Orgon. In this play there are two private needs which become Orgon’s
goal. Firstly, he wants his daughter, Mariane, marry Tartuffe. Orgon’s second
importance is when he finally knew that Tartuffe betrays him. The result is that he
must defend his existence as a nobleman by not losing his wealth. In the play, he
tries to escape and left his family. Second character who has his own goal is
Tartuffe. He is hypocrite and he is willing to sacrifice others’ needs to gain what
he wants. Firstly, he wants Elmire. He does not care with her status as the wife of
Orgon. Secondly, Tartuffe wants all that Orgon’s have including power and
wealth. This is all just for his ambition to own power and richness. Other
characters who have their own goal Mariane and Valere. Their goal is just to be
together united in love. Another character who has her own goal Damis. In the
play, it is stated that Damis is strongly disagree with the plan that Orgon has. He
refuses Tartuffe to marry Mariane. He realizes with the fact that Tartuffe is a
hypocrite. He does not want his sister has this kind of husband. He is afraid that
Mariane will suffer by the marriage because she will not be happy. However, in
the first act it is stated that Damis told Cleante that if the marriage between
Mariane and Valere is failed that his need to marry Valere’s sister would also
failed. In short he protects the love relationship between Mariane and Valere
All the characters above have their own needs which are themselves as the
central. Dorine is the only one who is defends for other people needs and put
herself into a danger position for the sake of others’ happiness. Losing her job
would be one of the risks when she tries to wake Orgon up from his blindness of
Tartuffe’s behaviour. She still does this because she wants Orgon realize that what
he do is wrong. She does not care if she loses her job, or probably her life, but the
main goal is that she must realize him that he must do the right thing. This is all
for the sake of him and all the member of the family. Logically, Dorine is not a
member of the family and she can act as a neutral side and do nothing. She does
not need to do such thing because she is just a lady-maid in the family. In fact, if
she is a selfish person, she could do anything for herself. She could do nothing
because it is not her business. She would rather think about herself. However,
Dorine is not that kind of person. She never does a treacherous because she knows
that other people happiness is more important than her own.
Dorine is described as a calm person. In this point, calm means Dorine is
able to put herself into certain different conditions, especially the conditions in
the play which are many of them placed her into a difficult condition. The theory
given by Murphy is used by the writer to analyze Dorine’s calmness. Murphy
said that a character can be analyzed by seeing through her or his mannerism.
(1972: 161-173). In this part, the writer sees Dorine’s action and speech. Dorine
is able to remain calm so that she can think and uses her conscience in that
difficult condition. Probably it is not completely wrong when people use their
conscience will result in a less good decision. In this play, Dorine can use her
feeling as a consideration to live her conscience and prove her existentialism as a
human being who uses her conscience to think. When Dorine is calm in thinking
a something, she uses a concept of rationality. It can be seen in some acts when
she dealing with problems; such as Mariane and Valere’s problem. This concept
of rationality is put together with her conscience creating a good way of thinking.
She also does not run away from her moral responsibility but she tries to realize
it with full of consideration so she can express her idea wisely.
Dorine also can show her calmness even though in the play she is
described as a talkative character. She is able to show to the audience that she
can be relaxed in dealing with the other characters. Probably it is clear that
Dorine is a lady-maid who likes to talk and never think, even in this play, Dorine
has a huge portion in every dialogue. She appears in almost every scene and
frequently gives some empty talks which are sound irresponsible. However, if it
is noticed, Dorine’s wise words frequently come from these empty talks. Mostly
when she does this, her opposites will use their power which Dorine does not
have. In the first act when Dorine has a conversation with Madam Pernelle with
all the member of the family, except Orgon, she succeeds to cornered Madam
Pernelle by her words. In this occasion, Madam Pernelle uses her position as an
employer of Dorine.
In the second act when Dorine tries to give advices to Orgon that he has to
think first before he takes a decision for his daughter Mariane, Orgon is also
Dorine that she is just a lady-maid. As like the writer wrote above that Dorine
frequently speak some empty talks. However, these empty talks are satires which
contain truth and it makes Orgon mad hearing those satires.
Dorine: Oh, he’s a man of destiny; He’s made for horns, and hat the stars demand. Your daughter’s virtue surely can’t withstand.
Orgon: Don’t interrupt me further. Why can’t you learn that certain things are none of your concern? (Act II, scene 2, 86)
With her calmness Dorine is able to change a condition into a controllable
situation. In the second act, Orgon said that Dorine is always treats his orders as
jokes. In this point, Dorine does not mean to vile her master, but she tries to keep
calm and relax so that she would be able to think and not put herself into an anger
or emotion. In the act two, scene three, when Mariane is asking Dorine’s words
about the problem she has, it is clearly seen that Dorine is a person who calm
enough in thinking and considering everything to do. Dorine is able to keep calm.
It can be seen if it is compared to Mariane. Mariane looks confused and cannot be
able to control herself. On the other hand, Dorine remains calm and she is able to
show jokes to Mariane. However in this relaxing condition, Dorine is also
thinking to solve the problem. She says to Mariane not to straight oppose her
father’s will, but by more logic way because she believes that Orgon’s arrogance
which is supported by his authority and power as a leader in the family. She
believes that by doing sporadic fighting, Mariane will get nothing. This is
showing that even in the difficult situation, Dorine can think calmly and can get a
Mariane: Dorine, if Father makes me undergo this dreadful martyrdom, I’ll die, I know
Dorine: Don’t fret, it won’t be difficult to discover some plan of action…(Act II, scene 4, 97)
Dorine is also wise. It can be seen in many things that she does. The writer
uses one of Murphy’s theories on character and characterization which is said that
a character can be seen from his or her reactions (1972: 161-173). First, she is
wise in convincing Mariane that she must marry Valere. Second she is wise in
fixing Mariane and Valere’s relationship when they argued before. Third, she is
also wise in making a solution for Mariane and Valere dealing with their problem.
She knows exactly what to do after seeing the problems.
Dorine is a talkative character and frequently satires her opposite by using
her words and forced her opposite into a difficult situation. However, her satires
are aimed to show truth to people. This is showing that she is a wise person. She
uses satire but she uses it for a specific purpose. And when there is somebody like
Mariane who trust that she is wise, she tries her best to help her considering every
possibility in other to do a wise and right thing.
In the play, in the 2nd act, it is stated that Dorine and Mariane are left by Orgon. Orgon left, because he wants to refresh his mind after he has a debate with
Dorine. This debate makes Orgon sick and he does not want to see Dorine, so he
goes outside to refresh his mind. This moment is used by Dorine to talk to
Mariane concerning her father’s plan. Mariane is confused because she loves
Valere, while her father wants her marry to Tartuffe. Mariane does not want to
Dorine is wisely teasing Mariane. She is asking Mariane regarding her doubt to
refuse her father’s plan. At first, she pushes Mariane to marry Valere, but Mariane
is afraid of her father, even though she loves Valere. Dorine tries to convince
Mariane that she loves Valere. She teases her by saying that Mariane is going to
be Madam Tartuffe. Dorine says that it would be wonderful to be Madam
Tartuffe. She teases Mariane again and again until Mariane believes that marrying
Tartuffe is a false. Mariane is finally convinced that she better dies than marries
Tartuffe. Here, it can be seen that Dorine does the right thing and she does it by
using the wise way, which is teasing Mariane to marry Tartuffe. She says it in
satirical way that Mariane would be the happiest woman if she has a saint as her
husband. This make Mariane thinks that marrying Tartuffe is not a good idea.
Mariane: Not Tartuffe, you know I think if him…
Dorine: Tartuffe’s your cup of tea, and you shall drink him. Mariane: I’ve always told you everything and relied…
Dorine: No. You deserved to be Tartuffiffied. (Act II, Scene 3, 90)
Dorine is also wise in fixing the relationship between Mariane and Valere after
they argued before. They argued because Valere thinks that Mariane does not love
him anymore and he says that Mariane would be Madam Tartuffe. However,
Mariane thinks that Valere does not fight for her love by letting her to be Madam
Tartuffe. This makes a great debate between the two. After the conversation
between Dorine and Mariane, Valere comes. He has heard the news that Mariane
is going to marry Tartuffe. She comes to ask directly to Mariane. Mariane told
him that her father wants her to marry Tartuffe. However, she is confused because
problem. Valere then is not convincing that Mariane loves him. He thinks that
Mariane must refuse her father’s plan and marry the man she loves, in this case
Valere. It is clear for him that if Mariane loves him, she must do so. He is
disappointed with the question given by Mariane. Because of his disappointing, he
says that Mariane should marry Tartuffe. This advice of course makes the
situation getting worse. Mariane is angry with Valere because of it. In the other
hand, Valere is disappointed with Mariane for her doubt in rejecting her father’s
plan. They quarrelling and arguing. At some point they want to break their
relationship. Dorine sees something wrong and fast fixing the broken couple. She
wisely fixes the couple by using her words to persuade them. She realises that
they have already angry one another and it is difficult to discuss in the anger
atmosphere. However, she sees that the couple is still in love each other and this is
just a matter of miscommunication. She takes Valere by the hand, and then
Mariane, and draws them together.
Dorine: (To Valere) You’re both great fools. Her sole desire, Valere, is to be yours in marriage. To that I’ll swear.
(To Mariane) He loves you only, and he wants no wife but you, Mariane. On that I’ll stake my life. (Act II, Scene 4, 91)
Given the words above, the couple are getting soften. They start to understand
each other. The atmosphere is also getting better. After some moment, Dorine
reminds them that they still have a problem to deal with. Dorine believes that
Mariane still must marry the man she loves. After success in unifying the couple,
Dorine is asked by the couple to give them advice. Now the problem is clear for
Tartuffe up in front of Orgon. This is to make Orgon sees that Tartuffe is just a
hypocrite. This will automatically make the marriage between Mariane and
Tartuffe is cancelled. She asks Mariane pretending to be sick for some time. This
can delay the marriage between her and Tartuffe. The delayed time id used to
prepare the set up. Dorine also need Elmire’s help to unveil the hypocrisy of
Tartuffe. This is because Tartuffe is in love with Elmire and wants her to be his
wife. Dorine then gives an advice to solve the problem faced by the couple.
Dorine: We’ll use all the manner of means, and all at once.
(To Mariane)
Your father’s addled; he is acting like a dunce. Therefore you’d better humour the old fossil. Pretend to yield to him, be sweet and docile. And then postpone, as often as necessary. The day on which you have agreed to marry. You’ll thus gain time, and time will turn the trick. Sometimes, for instance, you’ll be taken sick, and that will seem good reason to delay; or some bad omen will make you change the day. You’ll dream of muddy water, or you’ll pass. A dead man’s hearse, or break a looking glass. If all else fails, no man can marry you. Unless you take his ring and say “I do”. But now lets separate. If they should find us talking here, our plot might be divined.
(To Valere)
Go to your friends, and tell them what’s occurred, and have them urge her father to keep his word. Meanwhile, we’ll stir her brother into action, and get Elmire, as well, to join our faction. Good-bye. (Act II, Scene 4, 110)
Dorine is also described as a caring lady-maid to Orgon’s family. This can
be seen by using Murphy’s theory. He said that a character can be seen through
her mannerism and speech (1972: 161-173). Dorine cares to Mariane, Elmire, and
to also Orgon. Dorine shows her caring to Mariane when Mariane is faced to the
choice between marrying Valere, the one she loves or to Tartuffe, the one her
father chooses for her. In the scene, Orgon, Mariane, and Dorine are in deep
disagree with Orgon’s plan. Mariane is also disagreeing with the plan. However,
Mariane as Orgon’s daughter feels that she afraid to refuse her father’s words,
because she thinks that her father is very absolute. Dorine, in this case, helps
Mariane to fight for what the best and the right for herself. Mariane loves Valere,
and Dorine thinks that she deserves to get the best. She defends her from her
father’s will by making plans for her.
Dorine: (Returning) Well, have you lost your tongue, girl? Must I play your part, and say the lines you ought to say? Faced with a fate so hideous and absurd. Can you not utter one dissenting word?
Mariane: What good would it do? A father’s power is great.
Dorine: Resist him now, or it will be too late. (Act II, Scene 3, 1)
From the conversation between Dorine and Mariane above, the writer sees that
Dorine is convincing Mariane that she must brave to refuse her father’s plan and
choose the best for her by marrying Valere. Dorine believes that Orgon’s plan for
Mariane is not the best for Mariane. Dorine is also cares to Elmire. It is shown in
the conversation between Dorine and Orgon in the first act, scene IV. It is stated
that Orgon is back from other country. He went out for two days. He calls Dorine
and asking about the condition of the family. However, Orgon more cares for
Tartuffe than for his wife, Elmire. Dorine first tells Orgon that his wife was sick
and she took care of her. She reported that to Orgon that his wife had a bad
headache. She tells Orgon about the condition of Elmire in details. Dorine knows
that Elmire had a bad headache. She also knows that Elmire could not sleep. She
was with Elmire, took care of her within the two days. From this point, the writer
Dorine: Well, the pains continued strong, and so she tossed and tossed the whole night long, now icy cold, now burning like a flame. We sat beside her till morning came. (Act I, Scene 4)
However, Orgon does not really care to the reports given by Dorine, He then
asking the condition of Tartuffe. She still tries to tell Elmire’s condition to Orgon,
but Orgon is more paying attention to Tartuffe. These make Dorine angry and she
mocks Tartuffe and satires Orgon.
Dorine: Both are doing well, in short. I’ll go and tell Madame that you’ve expressed keen sympathy and anxious interest. (Act I, Scene 4, 35)
Dorine is also cares to Orgon. In most of the conversation between Dorine and
Orgon, they always do argue and debate. They seem like an enemy. However,
indirectly, Dorine is also reminds Orgon through her satirical words about
Tartuffe that he is not like what Orgon’s has in mind. Orgon sees Tartuffe as a
saint, while Dorine knows that Orgon is a hypocrite.
Dorine: It is for your own sake that I interfere. (Act II, Scene 2, 88)
In the scene, Orgon is trying to persuade Mariane to marry Tartuffe. Dorine does
not agree and thinks that she must interfere the plan. She believes that it is for the
sake of the family. She believes that Tartuffe is not a good man and she tries to
remind Orgon.
