MATERIALISM AS SEEN THROUGH FAINALL IN WILLIAM
CONGREVE’S
THE WAY OF THE WORLD:
A SATIRE ON
SOCIAL CONDITION IN THE RESTORATION ERA
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree ofSarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
Yenny Paruang
Student Number: 064214093
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
i
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree ofSarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
Yenny Paruang
Student Number: 064214093
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
iv
The thing always happens that you
really believe in; and the belief in a
thing makes it happen.
-Frank Loyd
Wright-It is not enough to do your best;
you must know what to do, and
THEN do your best.
Deming-v
&
vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all, my first gratitude goes to my Almighty God, Jesus Christ, who has
given me a wonderful life, especially the four years I have spent in college. Thank
you for Your guiding and protection so that I can finish this undergraduate thesis.
Thank you for being my Savior and Your priceless love. I believe all of the things
which happen in my life are because of Your blessing.
My deepest gratitude goes to my beloved parents, ‘mama’ and ‘bapak’ who
support me with their love, patience and prayer. I thank God because they are my
parents. Without them I will never be who presently I am. Next, I would like to thank
my lovely sisters Kak Upik, Kak Idha and my young brother, Alprian. Thank you for
your love, support, and advice which make me grow up. To my dear lovely niece and
nephew, Michelle and Kevin, thank you for the happiness and cheerfulness that you
bring into my life.
I would like to thank my advisor, Drs. Hirmawan Wijanarka, M.Hum for
helping me in writing this thesis. I really thank him for his patient guidance, time,
suggestions and idea in improving my thesis. I would also like to thank my co
advisor, Tatang Iskarna S.S., M.Hum for his time to check my thesis. My
appreciation also goes to all lecturers in English Letters Department, thank you for
the wonderful experience, upbringing, knowledge and guidance. I could never forget
vii
for the wonderful friendship that all of you has given to me. I will never forget all
experiences and madness that we did. I know we have faced many things, happiness,
tears, and pain. It is my pleasure to have you guys as my friends.
To all of my wonderful friends in English Letters USD’ 06 especially class D,
Bibi, ‘genk gong’ (Rina, Suster Kharita, Fika, Inkan, and Elsa), Dea, Nungky, and the
boys, Wahyu, Hasan, Kiky, Ryon, Totok, Tzin, etc. Thank you for the unforgettable
moment that we have spent together.
I also would like to thank my second family in Jogja, PMK EFATA, Natalia,
Esther, Mb Wahyu, Mb Asih, Mb Silvi, Yonas, Mas Bayu, etc. Thank you for
teaching me what God’s purpose in my life is. I am terribly sorry for not mentioning
the names of my friends one by one, but it is my honor to know all of you. GBU…!!!
viii ILIMAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS……… x
ABSTRACT……….. xi
ABSTRAK………. xii
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ……… 1
A. Background of the Study ………... 1
B. Problem Formulation ………... 4
C. Objectives of Study ………. 4
D. Definition of Terms ………. 5
CHAPTER II: THEORETICAL REVIEW……….. 8
A. Review of Related Studies ………... 8
B. Review of Related Theories ………. 12
1. Theory of Character and Characterization ……….… 12
2. Theory of Satire ………..…… 14
3. The Relationship between Literature and Society ….…...…….. 16
C. Review of Restoration Era in England ………...……….. 17
D. Theoretical Framework ………..………..……… 22
CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY………..…………. 24
A. Object of the Study ………...……… 24
B. Approach of the Study ………...…………... 25
C. Method of the Study ………...………….. 25
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS………..………….. 28
A. The Characterization of Fainall ……….………... 28
B. Materialism Depicted through Character of Fainall ………. 36
ix
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION……….……. 55
BIBLIOGRAPHY……… 58
xi
Era. Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University, 2010.
The Way of the World is a play which is written by William Congreve to satirize the social condition in Restoration Era which is the time when the author lived. The play is about the life and relationship of the people who are from middle and high social status. This thesis focuses on one character in the play which shows the characteristic of most of people in Restoration Era, the character is Fainall. Fainall is used by the author as the satire toward the materialistic society at that time.
This undergraduate thesis analyzes three main problems. The first is to analyze the characterization of Fainall as the main character of the play. The second is to analyze the materialistic side of Fainall which reveal the materialistic society in Restoration Era. The third is to find out the satires on materialistic society in Restoration Era based on the analysis in previous discussion.
The study of the play was conducted through library research using related books and internet resources. The writer did some steps in the process of the analysis. First, the writer used the theory of character and characterization to describe Fainall’s characteristic. Second, the writer used some definitions of materialism to analyze Fainall’s materialistic side. Third, the writer used the theory of satire and socialcultural-historical approach since the main point of the thesis to find out the satire that the author used to satirize the materialistic society in Restoration Era through Fainall’s character..
xii
ABSTRAK
YENNY PARUANG. Materialism As Seen through Fainall in William Congreve’s The Way of the World: A Satire on Social Condition in Restoration Era. Yogyakarta: Jurusan Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharama, 2010.
The Way of The World adalah sebuah drama yang dikarang oleh William Congreve untuk menyatir kondisi sosial pada Era Restorasi yang merupakan era dimana dia hidup. Drama ini mengisahkan kehidupan dan hubungan baik masyarakat golongan menengah dan atas. Skripsi ini fokus pada satu tokoh didalam drama ini yang menunjukan sifat kebanyakan orang pada Era Restorasi, tokoh tersebut adalah Fainall. Fainall digunakan oleh pengarang sebagai sindiran terhadap masyarakat matrelialistis pada saat itu.
Skripsi ini menganalisa tiga pokok masalah. Pertama untuk menganalisa penokohan Fainall sebagai tokoh utama di dalam drama. Kedua untuk menganalisa sifat matrealistis dari Fainall untuk mengukap sifat matrealistis masyarakat di Era Restorasi berdasarkan analisis di pembahasan sebelumnya.
Analisa naskah drama dilakukan dengan studi pustaka menggunakan buku, serta sumber-sumber dari internet. Penulis membuat beberapa langkah dalam proses analisa, pertama, penulis menggunakan teori tokoh dan penokohan untuk menggambarkan karakteristik dari Fainall. Kedua, penulis menggunakan beberapa definisi materialisme untuk menganalisa sifat matrealistis Fainall. Ketiga, penulis menggunakan teori satire dan pendekatan sosio kultural-historikal melihat tujuan utama thesis ini adalah menemukan sindiran yang digunakan pengarang untuk menyindir masyarakat matrealistis di Era Restorasi melalui sifat matrealistis Fainall.
1
A. Background of the Study
One of the best ways to convey someone’s opinion of something is through
literary works. It also happens to William Congreve. He tries to convey his idea about
economy, politics, and culture through his literary works. One of his best works
(plays) at the time is the Way of the World (1894) which is premiered in 1700 in theater in Lincoln's Inn Fields London. This play itself is one of the restoration
comedies which concern on political policies or philosophical doctrines, or else
attacks deviations from the social order by making ridiculous the violators of its
standards of morals and manners.
The Restoration age was highly self conscious, particularly about the social
practice in Elizabethans period distinguished it from pre-Commonwealth England,
and Restoration comedy provided the main literary expression for this
self-consciousness (Ford, 1957: 156).
The play is made in Restoration period. The name is taken from the
restoration of the Stuart line (Charles II) to the English throne in 1660, at the end of
the commonwealth; it is specified as lasting until 1700 (Abrams, 1993:151). Chin
states in his bookGlencoe Literatureabout the literature during this time that:
2
However, by the end of the century, writers and Readers had had enough of wit and turned to their emotions (2000: 459-460).
It means that type of literary works which is popular during the seventeenth
century or restoration period is the works which show the wit or satirist toward the
social, politics, economics, etc at that time.
This writer tries to analyze Congreve’s The Way of the World with Sociocultural Historical Approach as its approach. By using this approach, the writer
wants to figure out what happened in the society at the time, so the writer will know
the relation between the play and the society at that time. After reading this play there
is an interesting thing about the characters, almost all of the characters have similarity
in characteristic. Almost all of them are thinking of material or money than love or
friendship. It makes us realize that materialistic does not only exist in lower class
thinking but also the middle class and upper class’s thinking. But, the writer will only
focus only on one character, Fainall, who is the antagonist character, besides he
represents the definition of materialism. Fainall is a money oriented character and
will do everything to maintain his status social although what he does will hurt other
people.
There are several reasons why the writer chooses this play. The first reason,
the play is the best play of comedy manner in Restoration Era. The main goal of the
comedies of manners in the period of Restoration is to mock the society, or in other
ways to lift up society for scrutiny, which could cause negative or positive results. In
feeling good (or at least feeling something), having laughed at themselves and society
<http://classiclit.about.com/cs/articles/a/aa_restoration.htm>. It means that comedy
manner is the type of play which portrays the society or reality condition of people at
the time, so when the people the play, they would see portray of themselves in the
characters. It is interesting because the writer will not only learn the play but also the
history of England which is the background of the play. Another source states:
Congreve’s “comedy of manners” takes the fashionable or conventional social behavior of the time as the principle subject of satire. Conflicts that arise between and among characters are prompted by affected and artificial social mores, especially with respect to relationships between the sexes. Social pretenses and plot complications abound in The Way of the World. Women are compelled to act coyly and to dissemble in courtship, couples deceive one another in marriage, friends are double-dealing, and conquests have more to do with dowries and convenience than love. All moral principle is risked for the sake of reputation and money <http://www.answers.com/topic/the-way-of-the-world-play-3>.
.
It means that Congreve in the play presents the common life of society in
Restoration period. He tries to satirize society that does not care about the
relationship between sexes, and they think that money or reputation is more valuable
than that kind of relationship.
The second reason is Congreve as the playwright is something of an outsider,
having been brought up in Ireland, and perhaps the outsider’s eye give him a
privileged viewpoint on the society he portray with such insight, sympathy, and wit
(Carter and McRae, 1997: 146). The writer’s reasons actually want to show that the
play is interesting to be read and it brings much knowledge about moral for the
4
Later, the writer will show the relation between the social lives in Restoration
era and the play by figuring out how the historical background of the time will
explain the purposes of the play and why the author makes the materialistic
characters to satirize the social condition at that time.
B. Problem Formulation
1. How is the character of Fainall presented in the play?
2. How is materialism depicted through the character of Fainall?
3. In what way does the character of Fainall satirize the social condition in
Restoration Era?
C. Objectives of the Study
There are three purposes why the above problem formulations are made. First,
based on the first problem, the writer tries to see the Fainall character in Congreve’s
the Way of the World. It is really helpful to identify the character of Fainall in this play. Secondly, based on the second question, the writer tries to find out the
materialism which is depicted through the character of Fainall. The third is to figure
out the social condition at that time which is portrayed through Fainall as the
materialistic character.
D. Definition of Terms
Definition of terms is used to give clear understanding about the meaning of
some words used in this study. Its function is to avoid misunderstanding on the
1. Materialism
Materialism refers to how a person or group chooses to spend their resources,
particularly money and time. Literally, a materialist is a person for whom collecting
material goods is an important priority. In common use, the word more specifically
refers to a person who primarily pursues wealth and luxury. Sometimes such a person
displays conspicuous consumption which is a term used to describe the lavish
spending on goods and services acquired mainly for the purpose of displaying income
or wealth. In the mind of a conspicuous consumer, such display serves as a means of
attaining or maintaining social status.
< http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Economic_materialism.htm>
Besides, according toLongman Dictionary of English Language and Culture,
materialism is defined as “great interest in and desire for possession, money, etc.
rather than spiritual matters, art, etc. (1992:82). The other theorist also states the same
thing Paul Edward on Journal of Philosophystates that materialism is a general view about what actually exist. It means that Paul try to show that materialism talk about
everything that we can see, and touch, for example: money, possession, etc. rather
than spiritual matters which we can not see.
Based on the topic of the writer, definition of materialism which is suitable
with the topic is the first and the second definition. Because, what the writer wants to
figure out from the play is the materialistic character who put money, property, and
6
2. Satire
The literary art diminishing or derogating a subject by making it ridiculous
and evoking toward it attitudes or amusement, contempt, scorn, or indignation
(Abrams, 1993:187). Satire occurs as an incidental element within numerous works
whose overall mode is not satiric in a certain character or situation, or in an
interpolated passage of ironic commentary on some aspect of the human condition or
contemporary society (1993:188). Wherever wit is employed to expose something
foolish or vicious to criticism, there satire exists (The New Encyclopedia Britannica, eleventh edition,1979: 268).
3. Restoration Era
This period takes its name from the restoration of the Stuart line (Charles II)
to the English throne in 1660, at the end of the Commonwealth. It is specified as
lasting until 1700. The urbanity, wit, and licentiousness of the life centering on the
court, in sharp contrast to the seriousness and sobriety of the earlier Puritan regime, is
reflected in much of literature of this age (Abrams, 1993:151).
According to Rowse in his book The Spirit of English History as was society of the restoration, its achievements in the arts, science and economic progress, the
period was unsatisfactory and disappointing politically (1947: 73).
Chin in his book Glencoe Literature states that after King Charles died, his brother replaced his position. He didn’t really succeed in leading England that time.
husband William to replace James in 1688 (2000: 460). The restoration replaced the
probing, risk-taking intellectual values of the renaissance. It relied on reason and on
8
CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL REVIEW
This chapter consists of four parts. The first part is the review of the related
studies which consists of the criticism toward William Congreve and his play The Way of the World. The second part is the review related theories which consist of the theory on Characters and Characterization, theory of satire and the Relationship
between Literature and Society. The third part is review of historical background
England in Restoration Era. The last part is the theoretical framework.
A. Review of Related Studies
Edward Albert states in his book A History of English Literature that Congreve is undoubtedly the greatest of Restoration comedy writers. In his work the
comedy of manners reaches perfection. His plays are faithful of the upper-class of his
day, but their undoubted immorality is saved from being objectionable by brilliant
wit, a hard finish, and a total lack of realism (1955: 167). Albert shows one of the
characteristic of Congreve’s literary works that talk about the life of aristocrat at the
time.
that the study of impoliteness also can be applied in this play since Congreve
compares the society of the Earl, a British nobleman ranking below a marquis and,
and the lower class people. These people often undergo the state of disequilibrium
since the Earl in that Restoration period often deceives others who lower class than
them. There are also various intrigues talking about love and money which make
them deceive each other and create conflictive situations (2004: 2).
From the above statement the writer wants to say that impoliteness which is
done by the characters in the play. The characters who are educated people and from
rich family behave like uneducated people and they are like those from lower class. It
looks funny because they behave unsuitable with their status. Actually, it is one of the
satires in the play for upper class in the restoration period.
While in one of the scenes in The Way of the World, Carter and McRae state in their bookHistory of Literature in English: Britain and Irelandanalyze that:
Congreve raises many of his contemporaries is acute observation of the social and emotional pressures on characters who are more richly drawn than traditional stereotypes (1997: 146).
Carter and McRae want to say that as the author, Congreve concerns on the
social condition of his time. It is shown through his play which presents the social
condition and the society that show their common characters.
In England, the comedy of manners is represented by the plays of William
10
was later classed "Old Comedy" but is now known as Restoration Comedy because it
coincided with Charles II's return to England.
Based on the three review related studies above, the writer concludes that
William Congreve was the author who made his literary works to criticize the social
condition during his life. One of his best works isThe Way of the Worldwhich is also the best restoration comedies which ever exists in Restoration Era until now.
Congreve’s The Way of the World, commonly considered the finest of Restoration comedies, is also their quintessence, hardly an incident or character or
dialogue being original. Congreve perfects the common mode, adding to it a nicety of
feeling and phrasing, His main contemporaries are individual in their divergences
from the mode (Ford, 1957: 165). It means that the play is the best drama comedy in
Restoration Era.
The comedy at that time is much more successful than the tragedy. It is
directly according to the comedies of Ben Jonson but tries for more refinement while
displaying less strength. In a cool, satiric spirit, it criticizes middle-class ambition and
other variations from the courtly social norm, of which the canons are aristocratic
good taste and good sense, rarely conventional morality. In the eyes of succeeding
generations, the chief defects of Restoration comedy are its reduction of sentiment
and emotion to silliness and its frequent amorality. Reaction against this type of
comedy, known as the comedy of manners, already had developed by the time that its
For Love (1695) and The Way of the World (1700) <http://www.angielski-online.pl/literatura/60-angielska-literatura-piekna/248-english-literature?start=4>.
The above statement shows that William Congreve is the author who does not
want to be dictated by the authority or rules. He conveys his opinion about something
openly without any forces from anybody else. It also happens when he makes his
play, he conveys his opinion about the social condition at the time openly.
The playwrights of the 1690s set out to appeal to more socially mixed
audiences with a strong middle-class element, and to female spectators, for instance
by moving the war between the sexes from the arena of intrigue into that of marriage.
Congreve is the writer who is also the part of the writers in 1690’s. In theWay of the World, he satirizes the middle class people who are the most successful business family from banking, industry, large scale commerce.
The English comedies of this time, Congreve’s included, take the manners of
high society and the aristocracy as material for satire, focusing their attention
<http://www.answers.com/topic/the-way-of-the-world-play-5>.
Morally speaking, the general heartlessness of all the plays mentioned (except
The Way of the World) and the triviality of what is so elaborately displayed are innutrient. But they stand or fall not on such grounds but on their virtuosity as stage
entertainment, by characters which for stage –purposes are bold and actable, and by
speech which, if often tedious to close scrutiny, electrifies, the ear with unexpected
12
This thesis focuses on the reflection of Social Condition in Restoration Era
through the materialistic character in this play. The writer wants to show the
materialistic society, especially middle class or bourgeois people at Restoration Era
which is reflected through the materialistic characters inThe Way of the World. Some of the studies will help the writer to enrich her study.
B. Review of Related Theories
This paper uses three theories as the base to analyze the play. The first theory
for the study is the theory of character and characterization. The second theory is the
satire in literature works. The third theory is the relationship between literature and
society.
1. Theory of Characters and Characterization
One of the most important elements in play is characters. The simple meaning
of character is someone in a literary work that has some sort of identity (it needn’t be
a strong one) an identity which is made up by appearance, conversation, action, name
and (possibly) thoughts going on in the head (Gill, 1996: 127). This means the
character is the person taking part in the story, although he/she does not have any
significant role.
According to Abrams, the characters are the persons presented in a dramatic
or narrative work, who are interpreted by the reader as being endowed with moral,
dialogue, and by what they do, the action. Derived from both of the definition, the
conclusion is that the character is not only talking about the name of person in the
literary works but also whole aspects of the character, e.g. the dialogue, action,
behavior, etc (1981:21). The statement emphasizes that the character is not only about
the name of character but the whole, includes his/her speech, action, behavior, etc.
There are many ways to show the characteristic of the character in literary
works. In the book Understanding Unseen, M.J Murphy (1972: 161-173) states the nine ways to identify the characteristic of character in literary works.
a.Personal description. The author can describe a person’s appearances and clothes. The readers can identify the characteristic of character easily because the author
has described the character directly.
b.Character as seen by another. Instead of describing a character easily, the author can describe the character through the eyes and opinions by others.
c. Speech. The author can give us an insight into the character of the persons in the book through what the person says. Whenever the speaker speaks, whenever he is
in conversation with another, whenever he puts forward an opinion, he is giving us
some clues to his character.
d.Past life. By letting the readers learn something a person’s past life, the author can give us a clue to events that have helped to shape person’s character. This can be
done by a direct comment by the author through the person’s thought, through his
14
e.Conversation of others. The author can also give clue to person’s character through the conversation of other people and the things they say about him. People do talk
about other people and the things they say often give a clue to the character of the
speaker spoken about.
f. Reaction. The author can also give clue to person’s character by letting us know how that person reacts to various situations and events.
g. Direct comment. The author can describe or comment on a person’s character directly.
h. Thought. The author can give us direct knowledge of what a person is thinking about. In this respect he is able to do what we cannot do in real life.
i.Mannerisms. The author can describe a person mannerism, habits or idiosyncrasies which may tell us something about his character.
2. Theory of Satire
According to Abrams, satire is the literary art of diminishing or derogating a
subject by making it ridiculous and evoking toward it attitudes of amusement,
contempt, scorn, or indignation. It differs from the comic in that comedy evokes
laughter mainly as end in itself, while satire ‘derides’, that is, it uses laughter as a
weapon, and against a butt that exist outside the work itself. (1981: 187).
The other theory defines satire as a literary manner that blends a critical
attitude with humor and wit for the purpose of improving human institutions or
which satiric voice speaks, usually in the first person, either directly to the reader or
to character in the satire, the second types is indirect satire, in which the satire is
expressed through a narrative and the characters or groups who are ridiculed not by
what is said about them but by what themselves say and do. Most great literary works
use the second type of satire (Holman and Horman, 1986: 447-448).
Besides, Chris Baldick in his bookThe Concise Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms states that satire is writing, which shows the imperfection of people, institutions, or communities in the form of ridicule and contempt (1990: 198).
Satire is often strictly defined as a literary genre or form; although in practice
it is also found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, human or individual
vices, follies, abuses, or shortcomings are held up to censure by means of ridicule,
derision, burlesque, or other methods, ideally with the intent to bring about
improvement. Although satire is usually meant to be funny, the purpose of satire is
not primarily humour in itself so much as an attack on something of which the author
strongly disapproves, using the weapon of wit
<http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Satire>.
Satire is used by the authors to criticize the defect of people, society, etc, with
form of wit and humor. So, in the end of the literary works, the audiences or readers
16
3. The Relationship between Literature and Society
According to Wellek and Warren in their bookTheory of Literature, state that literature is a social institution, using as its medium language, a social creation
(1956:94).
They also state that the relation between literature and society is usually
discussed by starting with the phrase, derived from De Bonald, that ‘literature is an
expression of society’. They state three classifications of the relations between
literature and society (1956:95).
First, there is the sociology of the writer and the profession and institutions of
literature, the whole question of the economic basis of literary production, the social
provenance and status social of the writer, his social ideology, which may find
expression in extra literary pronouncements and actives for example: author’s social
status, allegiance, and ideology,
Second, there is the problem of the social content, the implications and social
purpose of the works of literature themselves. Third, there are the problem of the
audience and the actual social influence of literature (1956: 95-97).
In addition, much of the most approach to the relations of literature and
society is the study of works of literature as social documents, as assumed pictures of
social reality. Used of a social document, literature can be made to yield the outlines
of social history (1956:102-103). On the other hand, it means that literary works are
C. Review on the Restoration Era in England
The society is the part of the novel. It is really needed to find out the condition
of the society. The play was made in 1700. This period of time is the time in
Restoration Era which was began from 1660 until 1702 (Leguouis and Cazamian,
1960: 591).
Chin in his book Glencoe Literature states that after King Charles died, his brother replaced his position. He didn’t really succeed in leading England that time.
Later, the parliament asked Charles daughter Mary in and her Dutch Protestant
husband William to replace James in 1688 (2000: 460). The restoration replaced the
probing, risk-taking intellectual values of the renaissance. It relied on reason and on
facts rather than on speculation (Carter and McRae, 1997:129).
In bookHistory of English Literature Leguouis and Cazamian state from the political point of view the modern development of the English people dates from
1688, but the moral and literary the date is 1660. Many innovations have been
introduced by the Puritan Republic. A new society and new literature begin in 1660.
The government, the social life, and the manners are undergoing a process of
transformation (1960: 591-592).
In the history of Restoration Era have been stating that the new class which
emerged at the time is ‘middle class’. There was not only high class and low class but
there was new kind of society which was called middle class. One of the effects from
18
(they were a social class of people, characterized by their ownership of capital and
the related culture. They were a part of the middle or merchant classes of European
feudalism, whose power came from employment, education, and wealth, as
distinguished from those whose power came from being born into an aristocratic
family of land owners) <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_class>.
There were many events happened at that time, one of them was the beginning
of industrial revolution which happened from the end of 17th up to the 19th century.
The Industrial Revolution brought with it lasting changed the economy and society in
general. People began to migrate from their rural farms to urban communities to find
jobs in factories although they had good life in farms. The result is a new class
distinction emerged. Those who owned factories or controlled production were called
‘capitalists’ and were considered to be in a higher social class than workers (Carter
and McRae, 1997:129).
Before the Industrial Revolution, less than 10 per cent of the people of Europe
lived in cities. The rest lived in small towns and villages scattered across the
countryside. These people spent most of their working day farming. And, after the
Industrial Revolution, the demand for British goods grew rapidly during the late
1700's both in Britain and in other countries. This demand forced businesses to
compete with one another for the limited supply of labor and raw materials, which
raised production costs. The rising costs of production began to cut into profits.
goods inexpensively. The merchants achieved their goal through the development of
factories, machines, and technical skills. It became attraction for the people in farm
land to migrate to urban city, for example London.
<http://www.puhsd.k12.ca.us/chana/staffpages/eichman/Adult_School/world/fall/ind
ustrial/1/england.htm>.
People tried to find a better life. People did not only migrate but also had an
alternation of mindset of life. Before the Industrial Revolution, they only needed
money to fulfill their principal needs, but after this industry, they became a person
who was looking for money to fulfill their needs which were no really principle.
This event made people at the time spent most of their time to work and work.
They work so hard to get much money and to raise their class status. It made them
have time for their family, and to make relation with other people, etc. In other word,
the society in restoration era was money oriented society.
Maurice Ashley in his book England in the Seventeenth Century states that expect for the merchants who stuck to their last in the City of London and a handful
of domestic servants and miners who worked every day from dawn until dusk, almost
every body was to some extents interested in the land in seventeenth century.
According to Gregory King, who supplied us with some agreeably useful statistics
relating to the population of England and Wales in 1688, there were then 64,000
merchants had begun engaged in trade (1952:16). It means that merchant as the
20
trade from early morning until night to get a lot of benefit from them. They did not
care about other people feeling or tiredness that were in this case the servants who
need time to spend with their family.
Ashley also states “The old English gentry were powerfully reinforced in late
sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries by an influx from the professional and
mercantile classes. Lawyers, government officials, and successful merchants bought
land not only to better their social standing, but also to increase their income”
(1952:18). It means that people of the time in working or doing everything not only
think how to increase their reputation or class status in society but also how to get
much money. They were not satisfied with what they have now, they wanted more
and more.
Another cause of the materialistic society was the development of London as
the capital city of England. There is the emergence of types and classes of human
society in London. Street-sellers shouted the virtues of their wares; ballad singers
sang popular ditties or what passed as news. Furthermore, there were all sorts of
amusements, such as card-playing, horse racing. The new institution was house that
became fashionable at this period (Trevelyan, 1960: 296). Besides, the life style of
the upper class at time also influence the emergence of materialistic society at that
time, Greenwood in his book History of England (The Seventeenth Century Social Picture) states that:
milk and beer. The dress, men were as finely dressed as women. In aristocratic circles, silk and velvet were the chief materials. The poor wore clothes of coarse homespun woolens (1958: 135).
Congreve setsThe Way of the World's acts in places of iconic importance to London society, especially with respect to the new social mores and minor (and
major) vices which had become more acceptable in Restoration English culture.
Though the countryside remained largely committed to values and ways of living that
had changed little since medieval times, city-dwellers sought new sights, sounds,
sensations, and modes of social contact in the chocolate houses, St. James's Park, and
the "salons" of wealthy women. Chocolate and coffee drinking were marginally
acceptable aristocratic, pursued by males alone (except for female servants), and
often accompanied by gambling. These institutions later were transformed into the
"gentlemen's clubs" of London, fraternities which formed the hidden inner circle of
the power structure for politics, business, science, and the arts. In the late 1600s,
however, these were much less tame places.
All of the development in London force people to do anything to get money.
People try to follow the fashions, and the life style of the upper class at time, for
example spent the money on the coffee house, where coffee was a fashionable drink
at that time although actually they do not have money or property (1958: 135).
Finally, they became materialistic people who only thought of the way to catch up
22
Another evidence which shows the materialistic society at Restoration Era is
the dowries. In the male-dominated, patriarchal society, a woman was little more than
property in a marriage transaction. Her dowry (money, property, and estate) was
relinquished to her husband at marriage and she became, by law, his chattel. While
marriages are important economic contracts, they are also convenient vehicles for
protecting social reputations. In the upper classes, women had little voice in their own
fate, and marriages were usually arranged according to social status, size of fortune,
and family name <http://www.cyberpat.com/shirlsite/essays/restor2.html>.
It means that the man does not need to work harder because when he married,
he will get his wife’s money, property, even the class status social. In other words,
the marriages institution was only the way for some people to get money and status
social without work. Marriage was always related to economical matter. It is also as
the satire of that situation where everything is very materialistic or considered by
matter.
D. Theoretical Framework
This thesis uses library research and internet research for its review of related
studies. Next, the review of related theories will review three theories used in this
thesis, the first is the theory of character and characterization second is theory of
satire, and the third is the relationship between literature and society.
Theory of character and characterization is used to figure out what kind of the
play. Based on this theory, the writer tries to find out any references or sources to
develop this thesis.
Theory of satire is used to figure out what kind of criticism that is used in this
thesis. Besides, it is really helpful for the writer to answer the second question after
know is what satire is.
The last theory is the relationship between literature and society. Considering
the focus of the thesis is the character in the play which is the portrait of social
condition at that time. So, by using this theory, the writer will know the relation of
the play with the society at that time.
Besides, the review of related theories, the writer also put the historical
background and social condition which is in Restoration Era. It is really helpful to
24
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
A. Object of Study
The literary work that is going to analyze in this thesis is William Congreve’s
The Way of the World (1894) which is published by Aldine Press. It premiered in 1700 in the theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields in London. It is widely regarded as being
one of the best Restoration comedies written and is still performed sporadically until
this day.
The Way of the World is Congreve’s masterpiece. It is the most climactic work of all Restoration comedy. Congreve has make first three comedies before he
makes The Way of the World, they are: The Old Bachelor,The Double Dealer, and
Love for Love(Carter and McRae, 1997: 145).
This play consists of two pages of prologue, 122 pages of the play itself, one
page of epilogue, and one page of dramatis persona. The play consists of five acts.
The scene of the play is London in Restoration period. The writer uses the play which
is published in 1894.
The play is about two young lovers, Mirabell and Millamant. They want to get
married but they need Millamant’s aunt, Lady Wishfort’ blessing. This blessing does
not only make them married but also get Millamant’s fortune. Mirabell makes a plan
to trick Lady Wishfort. Mirabell asked his servant Waitwell to pretend as Sir
plan. Finally, they can defeat Mirabell’s plan, but in the end of the story, Mirabell and
Millamant can married after facing many obstacles.
B. Approach of Study
The writer wants to analyze the play based on its social condition in
Restoration Era, so the writer thinks that the most appropriate approach in this study
is sociocultural-historical approach. Warren and Wellek in their book Theory of Literaturestate that literature is a social institution, using as its medium language, a social creation. The relation between literature and society is usually discussed by
starting with the phrase, derived from De Bonald, that ‘literature is an expression of
society’ (1956: 94-95).
Rohberger and Woods state that sociocultural-historical approach is the study
of literary work by looking at the sosiocultural and historical background in which
the literary work is created (1971: 9-11).
The knowledge of social, cultural, and historical background is useful for the
finding of evidences to answer the second question on problem of the study.
C. Method of Study
The method used in this study was library research. It meant the study was
conducted through an analysis of the data gathered from various sources or books.
26
secondary data were taken from some books and references, which could be used to
support the primary data or which were related to the problems.
Some important books and journal that have been used as references of library
research are A Glossary of Literary Terms, The Routledge History of Literature in English: Britain and Ireland, Understanding Unseen: An Introduction to English Poetry and English Novel for Overseas Students, Theory of Literature, The Concise
Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms, England in the Seventeenth Century, etc. The
writer also used some references from internet sources, for example:
http://www.wikipedia/historical/context.htm, http://www.Absolute
astronomy.com/topics/Economic_materialism.htm and etc. All the references were
used to help the writer in analyzing the play.
There are some steps that were taken to finish this thesis. The first steps, the
writer read the play as the primary data for several times, until it was understood by
the writer. After reading and understanding what the play was about, the writer knew
there was purpose why the author made this play. The writer tried to search its
purpose with trying to relate the play and the society at the time when the play was
made. Finally, the writer found that the play was made to satirize the social condition
at the time.
The second steps, the writer tried to find what the appropriate approach to
analyze the play was. Considering that the play was made to satirize the social
condition at the time, so the writer chose sociocultural-historical approach as the most
social condition at the time which reflected in the play.
The third step, the writer collected the data which can used to support the
study. The data consisted of the data which related to the play, and the data which
contained of the social, cultural and historical background of the time. The data was
used in the related studies, the related theories, and also the approach.
The fourth step, the writer combined all data with the approach that using to
analyze the play. By using all data, the writer could analyze the play, and find out
what kind of society that the author wanted to satirize through his play. The last step,
28
CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
This chapter consists of 3 parts. It is based on the problem formulations that
are mentioned in the first chapter. The first part, based on the first problem
formulation will analyze the character and characterization of Fainall as the character
in Congreve’s The Way of the World. In the second part, based on the second formulation will analyze the materialism which depicted through the character of
Fainall. In the third part, based on the third problem formulation will analyze the
social condition in Restoration Era which is portrayed on this character.
A. The Characterization of Fainall
In the first analysis, the writer tries to figure out the characterization of the
characters in Congreve’s The Way of the World.This part is important, related to the topic of the thesis where the materialism in Restoration Era is reflected through the
characters of the play. The writer will analyze the characteristic of Fainall as the main
character in the play, to find out what kind of character he is. First, the writer will
analyze the character of Fainall generally after that focusing on only one of his
characteristic, which is materialistic. Besides, this character portrays the materialistic
The writer uses the theory of characters and characterization by M.J Murphy
in analyzing the characters of Fainall. Murphy states nine ways to identify the
characteristic of character in literary works, which are: personal description, character
as seen by another, speech, past life, conversation of others, reaction, direct comment,
thought, mannerisms. The writer will use some of Murphy’s ways in analyzing the
characterization of Fainall. Fainall is one of the main characters. He is presented as
the antagonist character in the play.
According to Stanton in his book An Introduction to Fiction, the major or main characters have an important role because the acts in a story are usually focused
on them. Fainall has an important role in the play. He is the character who tries to fail
other main characters (protagonist characters or the hero in the play).
Characters usually are used by the author as one of the elements in literary
works to satirize something. In this case, Congreve inThe Way of the Worlduses the characters of Fainall to satirize the social condition in Restoration Era.
Before describing the characterization of Fainall, the writer will give short
explanation of the characters who are involved in the characterization of Fainall in
dramatist persona (Congreve, 1894:42): Mirabell (in love with Mrs. Millamant, friend
of Fainall), Lady Wishfort (enemy of Mirabell, for having falsely pretended love to
her), Mrs. Millamant (a fine lady, niece to Lady Wishfort), Mrs. Marwood (friend to
30
Fainall, formerly friend to Mirabell), Mincing (woman to Mrs. Millamant), and
Witwoud (follower of Mrs. Millamant).
After knowing all the characters who will be involved in the characterization
of Fainall, now it is time to describe the characterization of Fainall. Congreve uses
the character of Fainall as the representation of the society at the time. This is the
description of the character of Fainall: In the page of dramatis person, Fainall is the
first character that the author described. Fainall is husband to Mrs. Fainall. He is in
love with Mrs. Marwood (Mrs. Fainall’s friend).
The first characterization of Fainall that the writer finds in the play is he is a
nobleman. The first thing which is described by the author is the class status of Fainall. Actually, the author does not give a brief explanation about his social status
and his profession. But, the writer can conclude that he comes from high class status,
it is shown in the scene one (page 43) where Fainall and Mirabell, Fainall’s friend,
play card and relax in chocolate house because at that time it is only the people who
come from upper class who can enjoy in café and drink chocolate.
Besides, the author states in dramatist persona that Fainall is Mrs. Fainall’s
husband, Mrs. Fainall herself is Lady Wishfort’s daughter. Lady Wishfort herself
comes from aristocratic class, the indication is shown from her noble title ‘Lady’
which only the people from aristocracy who can be called with this title.
Later the characterization of Fainall is shown by his characteristic. The
‘false’, he is a pretender, most of what he said is lie. It is proven when he always says
that his marriage is happy but in fact he is never happy with his marriage. He only
wants to keep his social status in society by creating an image that his marriage is
fine.
FAINALL. Marry her, marry her! be half as well acquainted with her charms, as you are with her defected, and my life on’t, you are your man again….
MIRABELL. Say you so?
FAINALL. Ay, ay, I have experience: I have a wife, and so forth.
(Act I, Scene II, p. 50)
The above conversation shows the moment when Fainall asked Mirabell to
marry Millamant (Mirabell’s mistress). Fainall’s statement implies that his marriage
is fine, or in other word he wants to say that marriage is a worthy thing. He says that
he has a wife and it will go on from now on. But, what he said is nonsense because
the truth is that his marriage has problem which will be found out from the middle
until the end of the play. Another proof showing that Fainall is a liar is shown in the
below conversation:
FAINALL. My dear!
MRS. FAINALL. My soul!
FAINALL. You don’t look well to-day, child.
(Act II, Scene I, p. 68)
The word ‘dear’ usually is used by a couple to show their love to his or her
suppose married couple. But, the word ‘dear’ that is used by Fainall is only a way to
deceive people that he has happy marriage. It also happens to his wife (Mrs. Fainall)
32
maintain her social status. In fact, they succeed making every people believe that his
marriage is fine. Witwoud is one of the people who believe that Fainall’s marriage is
fine. He thinks that Fainall is the luckiest man in the town. He states that:
WITWOUD. No man in town lives will with a wife but Fainall (Congreve, 1894:54). The third characteristic is Fainall as a husband, he is known as a disloyal
husband. It is seen from his adulterous affair with Mrs. Marwood. Although Mrs.
Marwood tries to avoid his love, Fainall always convince her that he really love her.
He has a perfect and rich wife, but instead, he loves another woman Mrs. Marwood
who is his wife’s best friend.
FAINALL. I would not hurt you for the world. Have I no other hold to keep you here?
MRS. MARWOOD. Well, I have deserved it all.
FAINALL. You know I love you.
(Act II, Scene I, p. 73)
The other proof of Fainall and Mrs. Marwood’s adulterous is shown when Mrs.
Marwood wants to show his seriousness with their relationship by kissing Fainall.
MRS. MARWOOD. I hope you are convinced that I hate Mirabell now; you’ll be no more jealous?
FAINALL. Jealous! no – by this kiss – …
(Act III, Scene III, p. 115)
The fourth characteristic is besides being shown as a disloyal husband, Fainall
is also presented as anoffensive husbandby Mrs. Fainall. One of Murphy’s ways in knowing the characterization of characters is based on the conversation by others. His
MRS. FAINALL. While I only hated my husband, I could bear to see him; but since I have despised him, he’s too offensive.
MIRABELL. O you should hate with prudence.
MRS.FAINALL. Yes, for I have loved with indiscretion.
MIRABELL. You should have just so much disgust for your husband, as may be sufficient to make you relish your lover.
MRS.FAINALL. You have been the cause that I have loved without bounds, and would you set limits to that aversion of which you have been the occasion? why did you make me marry this man?
(Congreve, 1984: 74-75)
This conversation clearly shows Fainall is being hatred by his wife. He is being hated
by her. He is despised by her. Fainall is an offensive person for her. Everything what
Fainall said always insult her.
The fifth characteristic is that Fainall islavishperson. The proof of Fainall as a lavish person is shown on the conversation between his wife and Mirabell which is
also the example of satire. How his own wife and his friend underestimate of him.
MRS. FAINALL. You have been the cause that I have loved without bounds, and would you set limits to that aversion of which you have been the occasion? why did you make me marry this man?
MIRABELL. … I knew Fainall to be a man lavish of his morals, an interested and professing friend, a false and designing lover; yet one whose wit and outward fair behavior have gained a reputation with the town enough to make that woman stand excused who has suffered herself to be won by his sacrificed to the occasion; a worse had not answered to the purpose….
(Act II, Scene II, p. 75)
Besides, in the above quotation it is clear that Mirabell as Fainall’s best friend
states how Fainall can manipulate the people around him with his wit and outward
34
Not only can he be accepted by society well but he also gets good reputation, while
his true characteristic is a false and lavish man. He is a really good actor.
The sixth characteristic of Fainall is that he is afoolishperson. Although he is a good deceiver, but in fact usually he is deceived by other people. The evidence
which shows that Fainall is an idiot person is when he feels that he is the smartest
person but actually he is deceived by the other character in this play. It can be seen
from Mrs. Marwood’s speech about him in the play which says that:
MRS. MARWOOD. …Well, Mr. Fainall, you have met with your match.- O man, man! woman, woman! The devil’s an ass: if I were a painter, I would draw him like an idiot, a painter, I would draw him like an idiot,a driveller with bib and bells: man should have his head and horns; and woman the rest of him. Poor simple fiend!
(Act III, Scene II, p. 96)
The quotation above shows that Mrs. Marwood ridicules Fainall. This is another
example of satire which show how Mrs. Marwood laughs on Fainall’s foolish. Before
Mrs. Marwood makes the statement above, she hears that Mrs. Fainall and her maid
are talking about Mirabell, Fainall’s rival. Mrs. Fainall and her maid plan to help
Mirabell to marry Mrs. Millamant. Mrs. Marwood thinks how fool Fainall is, his own
wife wants to help his own rival. A husband should know what his wife does, but in
fact, Fainall never knows that his own wife has deceived him. From the beginning
until the end of the play the author never shows Fainall as a good man.
The last characteristic of Fainall is observed from Lady Wishfort’s statement
LadyWishfort, his mother-in-law below shows that he looks like an uneducated
person. She says that:
LADY WISHFORT. ‘Twas against my consent that she married this barbarian, but she would have him, though her year was not out. Ah! her first son. My son Languish, would not have carried it thus….
(Act V, Scene II, p. 154)
The statement shows how impolite Fainall is. His own mother in-law calls
him ‘barbarian’ which means the uncivilized person. Lady Wishfort regrets that she
ever marries off her daughter with Fainall. Fainall as Mrs. Fainall’s second husband
is contrasted with his wife’s first husband, who has died, by his mother in law. It
makes that Lady Wishfort feels her first son in law is better than her second son in
law. The other evidence of Fainall’s rudeness which makes Lady Wishfort dislike
him is shown in the following:
FAINALL. I will answer you when I have the rest of it in my possession.
MIRABELL. But that you would not accept of a remedy from my hands – I own have not deserved you should owe any obligation to me; or else perhaps I could advise –.
LADY WISHFORT. O what? what? to save me and my child from ruin, from want, I’ll forgive all that’s past; nay, I’ll consent to anything to come, to be delivered from this tyranny.
(Act V, Scene III, p. 160)
From the quotation above, Fainall’s rudeness is shown by Lady Wishfort with
the word ‘tyranny’. Lady Wishfort implies that Fainall is a tyrant person, because he
36
It makes Lady Wishfort do anything to be free from him. Fainall’s rudeness makes
Lady Wishfort finally asks a help from her own enemy, Mirabell, to save her and her
daughter from Fainall.
B. The Materialism Depicted through the Character of Fainall
In the first part, the writer has described the characterization of Fainall that
also portrays of the society in Restoration Era. The second part will more concern on
the materialism which is depicted through the characteristic of Fainall. The
materialism itself which is depicted through the characteristic of Fainall is the portrait
of the materialistic society in Restoration Era. Materialism refers to how a person or
group chooses to spend their resources, particularly money and time. Literally, a
materialist is a person for whom collecting material goods is an important priority. In
common use, the word more specifically refers to a person who primarily pursues
wealth and luxury. The following discussion will be divided into three parts. They are
Fainall’s perspective on marriage, Fainall’s greed toward money and estate, and
Fainall’s life style.
1. Fainall’s Perspective on Marriage
Fainall likes the other men at that time also consider that marriage is only
about money. He games the marriage institution and he never consider it seriousness.
Fainall marries his wife only to control her money. In fact, he loves another woman
(Mrs. Marwood). Fainall marries his wife only for money and easy life. The
FAINALL. Hum, faith, and that’s well thought on; marriage is honourable; and if so, wherefore should cuckoldom be discredit, being derived from so honourable a root?
(Act III, Scene III, p. 114)
The statement above shows Fainall’s perspective on marriage. For many
people marriage is an honorable thing. But, based on the Fainall’s statement above,
the writer concludes that marriage is dishonor thing for Fainall. He is disappointed
with his wife because she has betrayed him with help Fainall’s rival. It makes Fainall
more convinced that marriage is dishonor. And it makes him becomes disrespect
toward the relationship between husband and wife.
FAINALL. If the worst come to the worst – I’ll turn my wife to grass - I have already a deed of settlement of the best part of her estate: which I wheedled out of her; and that you shall partake at least.
(Act III, Scene III, p. 115)
Fainall’s statement above shows the decision which is taken by Fainall if his
plan and Mrs. Marwood is unsuccessful to fail Mirabell’s plan. He will divorce his
wife because he thinks that he already has his wife’s estate, so his marriage is
unworthy anymore for him, and he never loves his wife. After that, he will enjoy that
money with Mrs. Marwood.
The writer also concludes that from the first time that Fainall marries his wife
not based on love but based on money or possession. In the above conversation,
Fainall states that ‘and wherefore did I marry, but to make lawful prize of a rich
widow’s wealth’. It is clear that he marries his wife who is a rich widow to make her
wealth descent to him legally. The other evidence which shows that Fainall marries
38
MRS. MARWOOD. Well, how do you stand affected towards your lady?
FAINALL. …I am married already, so that’s over: my wife has played the jade with me – well, that’s over too: – I never loved her….. As to my own, I married not for it so that’s out of the question; – and as to my part in my wife’s – why, she had parted with her’s before; so bringing none to me, she can take none from me; ‘tis against all rule of play, that should lose to one who has not wherewithal to stake.
(Act III, Scene III, p. 114)
From the above conversation, it is seen from Fainall statement which said that
he never loves his wife for umpteenth time. He marries her only because he wants her
money. If he can not get her wife’s wealth, so his wife also can not get anything from
him. As the result, if Fainall can not get her wife’s fortune, he thinks that what he has
done by marrying her wife is not worthy anymore because from the first time he
never loves his wife until now.
Fainall’s materialistic on his marriage also proven by his mistress, Mrs.
Marwood, it is shown on Mrs. Marwood speech. She says that:
MRS. MARWOOD. You married her to keep you; and if you can contrive to have her keep you better than you expected, why should you not keep her longer than you intended.
(Act III, Scene III, p. 113)
The above conversation implies that Fainall is known by Mrs. Marwood if he marries
his wife only to get benefit from her. Fainall still maintain his marriage only to
maintain his life, until he can get all of his wife’s fortune.
2. Fainall’s Greed toward Money and Estate
Fainall is a greedy person. He never feels satisfied with what he already has,
which is his wife’s fortune, but he also wants to control both Millamant’s half of
Congreve shows how Fainall makes a plan for his relationship with Mrs.
Marwood to get money for them. Fainall tells Mrs. Marwood about the problem
between Mirabell and Millamant who can not get married because they have to get
Lady Wishfort‘s (Millamant’s aunt) consent first to get married. If they do not get her
consent, Millamant will not get her moiety of fortune. Fainall wants to use this
moment to get more money, wealth. In his mind, if Millamant and Mirabell get
married, her half moiety of fortune will go to Mrs. Fainall (Millamant’s cousin), in
other hand half of Millamant’ s fortune will go to Fainall as the husband of Mrs.
Fainall. After that, the money will be used by Fainall for having fun with Mrs.
Marwood.
MRS. MARWOOD. By all my wrongs I’ll do’t! – I’ll publish to the world the injuries you have done me, both in my fame and fortune! With both I trusted you, you bankrupt in honour, as indigent of wealth.
FAINALL. Your fame I have preserved:… I had ere this repaid it – ‘tis true – had you permitted Mirabell and Millamant to have stolen their marriage, my lady been incensed beyond all means of reconcilement: Millamant had forfeited the moiety of her fortune; which then would have descended to my wife; and wherefore did I marry, but to make lawful prize of a rich widow’s wealth, and squander it on love and you?
(Act II, Scene I, p. 72)
It is not enough for him only to dominate his wife’s fortune, he wants more
than that. He also wants Millamant. He is very angry when he knows that Mirabell
will get half of Millamant’s inheritance by tricking Lady Wishfort. Fainall is really
mad because he also wants Millamant’s inheritance. In his mind, Millamant’s
40
Millamnat’s inheritance. The materialistic side of Fainall is shown in the below
conversation.
MRS. MARWOOD. Then shake it off; you have often wishes for an opportunity to part – and now you have it. But first prevent their plot – the half of Millamant’s fortune is too considerable to be parted with, to a foe, to Mirabell.
FAINALL. Damn him! That had been mine – had you not made that fond discovery – that had been forfeited, had they been married. My wife had added lustre to my horns by that increase of fortune; I could have worn ‘em tipped with gold, though my forehead had been furnished like a deputy-lieutenant’s hall.
(Act III, Scene III, p. 112-113)
Mrs. Marwood in the above conversation tries to persuade Fainall to fail
Mirabell’ secret plan to get married with Millamnat without Millamant has to lose her
fortune. As Mrs. Marwood knows that in Fainall’s mind, he only thinks about money,
It makes Mrs. Marwood believes that her plan must be successful.
Mrs. Marwood plans to revenge Mirabell, for having falsely pretended love to
her, and she manipulates Fainall to do that.
MRS. MARWOOD. You married her to keep you; and if you can contrive to have her to keep you better than you expected, why should you not keep her longer than you intended.
FAINALL. That means, the means.
MRS. MARWOOD. Discover to my lady your wife’s conduct; threaten to part with her! – my lady loves her, and will come to any composition to breaking it, just upon the discovery of this imposture. My lady will be enraged beyond bounds, and sacrifice niece, and fortune, and all, at that conjuncture. And let me alone to keep her arm; if she should flag in her part, I will fail to prompt her.
FAINALL. Faith, this has an appearance.
Realizing that Fainall is a foolish person, so Mrs. Marwood gives an idea for Fainall
how to get not only his wife’s fortune but also Millamant’s estate. She asks Fainall to
intimidate Lady Wishfort, because as a mother she really loves her daughter and she
will do everything to save her daughter’s reputation. Based on this idea, Fainall tries
to wrest full both his wife’s and Millmant’s fortune.
MINCING. …Oh my old lady is in a perilous passion at something Mr. Fainall. He said; he swears, and my old lady cries. There’s a fearful hurricane, I vow. He says, mem, how that he’ll have my lady’s fortune made over to him, or he’ll be divorced.
(Act V, Scene I, p. 146)
From the above statement which is stated by Mincing (Millamant’s maid), it
is told that Fainall swears that he will wrest Millamant’s fortune after that he will
divorce his wife. It shows Fainall’s materialistic side. After he can wrest full control
both his wife and Millamant’s fortune, he will divorce his wife, because after he can
take all the money from his wife and Millamant, his marriage is not meaningful
anymore. He marries only for money, after he gets that money, his marriage is useless
for him.
It is not enough for Fainall only to control his wife and Millamant’s fortune.
His materialistic side is shown again when he tries to wrest full Lady Wishfort’s
estate. It can be seen from the below quotation:
