Essay Type Question Answer: 10 Marks

Q Discuss the theme of Congreve's "The Way of the World".

Ans. "The Way of the World" is a comedy where Congreve has
depicted the life of a fashionable man and woman of London of the
Restoration age. This was a peculiar age in which the pursuit of pleasure
and intrigues for love and lust became the soul business of the ladies and
The Hay of the World
pentleman of the upper class in London. In this play we meet gallants and
fine ladies, who seem none the worse for their lack of moral conscious-
ness, each pursuing his or her ends unscrupulously. It is carnal instincts
and desire that dominate them.
The characters of the play are typical of the age. There are cynical and
heartless. Everyone is governed by a selfish motive. And under one such
motive, even a good man like Mirabell unhesitatingly plots the humiliate
lady wish fort by sending an imposter to make love to her. And her own
daughter, who is otherwise a good lady, easily joins Mirabell in the
befooling game to humiliate her mother.
The men introduced here have only two aims in life - love and profit.

The pursuit of women is the main business of all men. The women,
generally all windows, are the members of the Cabal-night where they all
pretend to hate men. But they all have to be pursued by young men.
infact they enjoy their chase. Marriage has lost sanctity and free love is
the order of the day.
Money holds a very significant role in the play. Greed is Fainall's
obsession. He married the widow of Mrs. Languish because she was the
only daughter of a rich widow. At first she plotted to get Millamant
married to Mirabell against the wishes of her aunt so that her property
will come to Fainall's wife and so indirectly tel ls lady Wishfort that
Mirabell is only pretending of her love. Then Fainall threatens to expose
the bad behavior of his own and Millamant's property to him. But finally
he gets defcated when Millamant agrees to marry Sir Wiltfull and gets a
claim over her property, and a document is produced in which Mrs.
Languish has transfer her entire property in the name of Mirabell before
she married Fainall. And so Fainall fails in his attempt to grab well the
wealth and the property of lady Wishfort and her family.
Not only with Fainall, but with others also money holds an important
stand for their existence. Millamant loves Mirabell sincerely but she
knows that marriage without money would be a sentimental mistake. And
so she agrees to marry Sir Wilfull in order to save six thousand pounds
of
her legacy. Lady Wishfort has her command on her niece, Millamant,
only because of money. And Waitwell also must agree to mary Faible and
act as Sir Rowland only on the promise of a handsome reward from his
master (Mirabell). Thus money is the be-all and end-all in the play.
The
play deals with love in its various forms. The most gracetul
aspects of love is seen in the relationship of Mirabell and Millamant. This
was a Restoration ideal of love - intense and yet balanced and without

any emotions. It is love based on mutual respect without the sacrifice the
auality. Then there is an atmosphere of free love in the play. Mirabel
e an affair with the widow daughter of Lady Wishfort and they
ome so intimate that she was afraid that they are in the family way.
A however did not marry her. He arranged her marriage with Fainal.
nd latter on nobody blames on him for it. Instead Mrs. Fainall remains
Very friendly terms with Mirabell and heips him n all his piOis.
vs
 English Voices TheHay ofthe World
because
Mirabell has
has replaced 9
or similarly scandalous matter, is subordinate to the play's brittle atmo-
although a
widow, is annoyed
sensual
pleasure
With
Fainall
Fai

Wi
and sphere, witty dialogue, criticism and commentary on human foibles. "The
Marwood
ances and now
he enjoying
is all passion
and no sincerity,
Mil"Ood ithwoo Way of the World" which is written by William Congreve, is a restoration
fer adv But
love relation
where there
and hopes
to win
her someday. lamant comedy play with its witty dialogues between the characters, criticism of
tilicn
Millamant
Sir
annered attempts
Wilfull's ill manr the upper class people's manners and also satiric and effective scenes
ACeps courting there are
fool. Then me there is
deelady
other extreme Such as lady and maid; unmasking scene of male libertine and proviso
reats him merely
Then at the
Millamant. She is most
desir. in a lyrical celebration of unity.
to make love to marTied daughter.
twice scene that ends
ith a husband
hus in her old "The Way of the World" (1700), in fact "a world of wit and pleasure
Wishfort, and old lady
w
have a young
again. She longs to neither by realism nor by
ous to marryli inhabited by persons of quality and deformed
"The way of the p.401) which has come to be regarded as one of the
agc
theme of Congreve's farce" (Congreve,
But love intrigue is the main The plays of Congreve are
with the intrigues of Mirabell to win great comedies in the English language.
workd". The play is mainly concemed achievement of Restoration comedy. They are
to make love to Lady considered the greatest
the hand of Millamant. First off all he pretends artificial and narow world as ex-
comedies of manners, depicting
an
Millamant. when this does
Wishfort in order to get access to her niece, of nobility and fashion, to whom
not work, Mirabellhatches a plot. The
deeperold lady wants to have a plained above, peopled by charaçters
are more important than morals such as
husband at any cost. So he gets his servant Waitwell married to Lady manners, especially gallantry,
and Fainall. No doubt, Congreve's view of
Wishfort's maid servant Foible, and then sends Waitwel in disguish of his Mirabell, Lady Wishfort,
uncle, Sir Rowland to make love to her. It is plan to save the lady from mankind is amused and cynical. His characters are constantly engaged
disaster at the last moment if he agrees to her marriage with Millamant. in complicated intrigues, usually centering around money like Mirabell,
like Mrs.Marwood, the signing or not
Mirabell's plan fails this time also. Waitwell is arested and Foible too which involve mistaken identities
is to signingof legal documents, weddings in masquerade.
be sent to prison, Millamant decides to save her property by
agreeing tomamy Sir Wilfall. Now Fainall cannot get her properly. And As Restoration Period comedy play, the story
a
revolves around a pair
who establish a rather unconventional
Mirabell seems to lost her. of lovers, Millamant and Mirabell,
based on their knowledge of the way of the
worid
But Mirabell still have a trumpt card with him. He wins
Lady Wishfort's mariage arrangement inhabited and fools.
by producing a deed by which Mrs. Fainall had transfer her entire which, as they know, is primarily by intriguers, fops,
prop- class people's manners and behaviours
erty which she nherited from her first husband in the name
of Mirabell. The satire and criticism of upper the play. For example, Mirabell's
So Fainall cannot ruin them now. And are variable in many examples through
finally Mirabell wins Milamant to Millamant; and also Lady
to the
goodness of Sir Wilfull who does not wish to stand in the due admiration for money more than his love
of the two lovers
being united. So, Mirabell comes out to be victorious way Wishfort's coquette attitudes such as overdressing and making up.
meant to be ridicu-
in this entire action mentions that: "Those characters are
proved game in the play because he is the most As Congreve Edward. Restoration Comedy:
perfect intrigues. lous in most of our comedies",( Burns,
Thus Congreve;s The London: The MacMillan Press Ltd.,
of the world" ridicules Crises of Desire and Identity.
follies of human kind, as way the vices and the truth and does the right one.
exhibited in the characters of the 1987.)ironically, he tells Wishfort to Sir
vices and follies are violations of
the play. These other hand, Mirabell plots to mary Lady
pursuit of one's ends in life, worthy orsanctity of marriage, unscrupulous On the desire for revenge. In
and cynicism. Men unworthy and all round depravity Rowlagd which appeals to her vanity and to her man who
getting hold their pursuits of lust and rumored to be Mirabel's uncle, a
form ing intrigues, form the main themes of the gold through thissituation, "Sir Rowland" is male child of his own,
play. In other words it is by having
hates Mirabell and who could, father's
a
a
pcture of a rotten life. in Millamant's will. Mrs. Fainall's aids Mirabell
disinherit Mirabell unfaithfuiness
The Way of the World" disgusted with her husband's
inthis fiction because she ismentioned sets up a
that:
"
Congreve's play
ARS Restorationm Comedy is a
as a
Restoration Comedy: with Mrs. Marwood. It is which servants mimic the behaviors of the
reiated with the manners type Restoration
of
Subplot and main plot in
Drama, which is
audience laugh at them afterand attitudes of the characters aristocrats and their would-be followers.
and
Comedy of Manners isa witty, andpursuit sex and money. In a what the
the of is the aspects of the hypocrisy, selfish-
cerebral form way, the So,it is obvious that there characters who called "upper class" and
depicts and often satirizes manners and of ness, and ungratefulness
of the
rary society. A comedy of the dramatic comedy that it can be said that,
the satire and
the affectations
manners is concerned of a aristocrats" in society. As the result, characters are derived from the
question of whether or not
The plot of with social contempo- Criticism of these selfish and proud
such a characters meet certain usage and characteristics of Restoration Comedy. dialogues between the characters
comedy, usually concermed social
with an illicit standards. Besides this, there are many "witty"
love affair
 English loices
under
the
eftect of theco
nedy of TheWay ofthe World
10 ironic
meanings
Congreve: The Critical Heritage. London: The Routledge Press Ltd. 1989)
and
that implies deep Iricnd's
acquaintancc
Without doubt, it's comical to see the two wits going at it, but, when
manners. For instance; with your love look deeper, there is a edge of seriousness behind their words. After
are very
frec is as
dull as
with- we
in other
they list conditions, Mirabell says, "These provisos admitted,
irecdom
You without
"Mirabell: a sccret hese
to tell you
Witwoud:Aye,aye,friendship

without
toasting.
But
bytthe week, to things I may prove tractable and complying
a husband." (p.423)
wine more, as Mirabell appears
enjoyment or and something Love may be the basis of their relationship,
out

trulls whom
coachire,
he allows (p.409) honest; however, their alliance is a sterile romance, devoid of the "touchy,
are
public places." because it eal
reveal
we hope for in a courtship. Mirabell and Millamant are
day at
a dialogue which
him
feely stuff,"
once
a witty
call on be named as
This quotation may
ironies and metaphors
for each other in the battle of the sexes; nevertheless
shadow ofthe
implications, two wits perfect
the realities under the Mirabell thinks tha and greed reverberates as the relationship between
of freedom and joy. the pervading sterility
related with the
concepts "wit" which is also becomes much more confusing. But then, that is the way
and using his ,
the two wits
is speaking very frecly the shadow of it can be assumed that the Restoration
Witwoud
with his name, tries to
show the realities
under
of the world. In this situation, and wit instead of sense and emotions
related Period was the period
of logic
ironies, metaphors, and impications. of freedom in that is why William Congreve, as a passionate
unmaried man.
He answers the question by mentioning the importance Maybe, restoration period playwright who had the abilities
classical character of comedy of became a successful
a
friendship. In fact, Witwoud is a andwitty language, showing the importance of logic,
manners, created by Congreve, as a cunning, clever, and creative man of using a perfect also making satire
behaviours of upper class people and
who is aware of talking to a dangerous person. criticising the in "The Way of the World." As
the aspects of the period,
Then, as another important point, the significant scenes of "The Way in terms of characters to behave according to the aspects of
of the World" as a comedy of manners, should be explained. Basicly, Congreve created these
of manners, such an explanation is given for the
there are three important scenes in the play. First one can be named as the period and comedy want to saddle
the Lady&Maid scene in which the audience expect the lady (Lady reason of the situation: "Why in the play Mirabell should
WIshfort) without make up and mask, and expectedly; ugly. In addition, they want each other because they do; it is a
we
himself with Millamant, understands because the performers cast in the
also learn her hatred for male libertine when she says "IIl have him audience
given that the make it subsconsciously obvious they
murdered!Ill have him poisoned..." for Mirabell. (p.419) The second scene to
roles have been chosen as Robert D. The Rakish Stage: Studies in
so

can be said as the unmasking scene of the male libertine in which all plans are made for
each other." (Hume,
and tricks are revealed. Although the characters are in a bad situation, Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press,
it's
funny position for the audience to laugh at English Drama, 1660-1800. of Restoration comedy according
them; and that is why the 1983.)Probably, this is another aspect
restoration comedy is also called as a comedy of manners in which
audience laugh at the the
to the conditions of the period.
characters' situation after their manners related with of manners in the period of
SCx, money, mariage, and selfishness. Tosum up, the main goal of the comedy other ways lift up society for
the end of the play in which the After that, the last scene is also Restoration is to mock society, or in if the
equality and unity between two sexes or positive results. In the end,
1S established. The mutual scrutiny, which could cause negative audience leave the theater feel
important for both male love, respect, freedom and trust are very playwright has been successful,
the will
and
and female characters. At the end having laughed at themselves
Fainall springs his
trap,
of the play, ing good,or at least feeling something,
demanding Lady Wishfort's estate, his wifc's
estate, and half of Millamant's society. Congreve's writing style shows
both intelligence and sympathy
the Resto-
inheritance in retum for Fainall's not
charging his wife with adultery. Mrs. creativity of the characters fixed with the aspects of
Fainall dares them to attempt with his unbalanced manners of the char
ecution because she has pros- ration Comedy. The selfish, absurd and
vinces Lady Wishfort that proof of innocence, but Mrs. Marwood con-
and
criticises clearly with the ironic
the acters (upper class aristocrats) arethe and
the
family. Thus, these three press coverage of the trial would humiliate importance of witty dialogues
their common scenes are satiric usage of Congreve. Als0, cannot be disregarded as the absolute
relationship of
Restoration Comedy.
So, it's obvious that
very significant withh unmasking scene of male libertine
of
in Congreve's "The proofs of the comedy manners.
of restoration Way of the World" the trend
continues, but mariage becomes more about contractual of the World
agreements and greed, then about love. Mirabell and Millament in the Way
a Millamant and Mirabell iron out his last comedy, Congreve
prenuptial agreement before Ans. Can use In The Way of the World,
instant, seems willing to theyheragree to marry, Then Millamant, for
of man
an for providing an ideal pair
Seemsto cometo realise the importance
keep her money. "Sex in marry " cousin, Sir Willful, so that she can be taken for models in
that the pair could
Congreve, Mr. andwoman, ideal in the sense task, where the
wits. It is not a
battlefield of emotipns." Lindsay says, "is a battle of the this was almost impossible
thelife-style of the period. But sophisticated, immoral, regard-
(Lindsay, Alexander. William Stagewas occupied by men and women,
 English loice
and preoccupied
wi the self. TheWay ofthe Horld 13
around them,
larger
world

Justify their noral activities within

immoral continue present decorous appearance in public, and she will have
to a
o f the weapon to free communication with others. In other words, after marriage they
as an could not
social operation. Congreve avoid
less
rhetoric
ronceited restricted
a r c a of s o
through
th the society maintain certain distance and reserve between them. Mirabell's conditions
small and
for this, he
had to pave his way
enough for a resolutio
by are quite ditferent: they are frankly sexual in content, directed to his not
this, and though complicated "Just as Millament's are
which, being cuckolded or to her bedroom manners.
presenting a plot union between the hero and heroine-) -Mirabell an developed femininely" as Norman N. Holland points out, "Mirabell's are
aims at the ideal culmination of the represen of Mirabell's provisos
Millament. They emerge
as the triumphant
for they are
developed in a typically masculine way." Each"that
whole period, of course not types, with its item: tirst, the general principle, your Acquaintance
tative characters of the begin
endowed his hero and heroine with then specific instructions, "no she-friend to screen her
real enough to be human. Congreve be general", theatre secretly, and an illustration of
but towards the end the qualities affairs", no fop to take her the
to
all the qualities typical of the society, "to wheedle you a fop-scrambling to the play
if negative, are employed as guards against the venoms of the society the forbidden behaviour,
denounces the use of tight dresses
At the beginning of the play,
we find Mirabell shaping up
a situation so
in a mask". Nevertheless, Mirabellhe forbids the use of alcoholic drinks,
as well from Lady
and
that he can win the hands of
Millament and her estate during pregnancy by women,
both parties in a spirit of fun and gaiety,
this Mirabell is perfect The conditions
are stated by
Wish fort who has the rein ofhispower over them. In remained that both are striving to anrive at
some kind of

Machiavelian: conscious of surrTOundings. He not at all a man from

is but the fact Scene ensures the marriage of
While the Proviso
chivalric romance. That he is a past master in the game
of love, of course, mutual understanding.
with Millament remains the aim of
trueminds, the possession dowry
of
in the sense of the period, that is, sexual relationship-is evident from his At the end of the play Mirabell and
Mrs. Fainall, from Mrs. Marwood's fascination towards Mirabell for the rest of the play. wit and generosity of
past affairs with
him and, one many suspect, from Lady Wishfort's unconscious longing Millament through their own peculiar balance of

Witwood and mordant Fainall to the level of

for him. Moreover, Mirabell has mastered rhetoric to encounter men and spirit, reduce the bumbling Millament dramatise the true wit that is so
and
women around them. Consistent with the irresistible charm of Mirabcll, false wit. Thus Mirabell defined through opposition. On his part,
Congreve built the character of Millament. She is the perfect model of the carefully and symmetrically all her faults: nay, like her for her
Mirabell informs that, "...I like her with
accomplished fine lady of high life, who arrives at the height of indiffer- familiar to me as my own frailties..." And
ence to everything from the height of satisfaction. To her pleasure is as faults...They now to grown as
make
Fainall, "Well, if Mirabell should not
a
familiar as the air she draws; elegance wom as a part of her dress; wit Millament declares to Mrs.
I find I love him violently." These
the habitual language which she hears and speaks. She has nothing to good husband, I am a lost thing-for
their own chances for honesty in marriage.
fear from her own caprices, being the only law to herself. As to the affairs confidences do not prevent
of lovers who through a
of love, she treats them with at once seriousness and difference. For The triumph of the play is in the emergence achieve an equilib-
instance, she exclaims to Mirabell: "Dear me, what is a lover that it can balance of intense affection and cool self-knowledge
from the world's power. As the title of the play The
give? One makes lovers as fast as one pleases, and they live as long as rium that frees them
have assimilated the rational lucidity
one pleases, and they die as s0on as one
pleases; and if one pleases one Way of the World suggests, theythe world and reject its demands.
makes more." This, however, may be a case for Mifllament who is of sceptical rake so that they
"stand-
ing at the threshold of maturity from girlhood", as Norman N. Holland of the World.
points out. But from her discussion of preconditions before entering into Significance of the Title of Congreve's Way when Jeremy Collier
marriage with Mirabell, it is clear that she is intelligent and discrete Ans. It was perhaps sheer pedantic myopia that, Profaneness of
of the Immorality and
enough to judge her situation. In the Proviso Scene we find Mirabell and published his essay A Short View particular target of his
Millament meeting together to arrange an made Congreve a

The scene is a pure comedy with brilliant agreement

for their marriage. the English Stage in 1698, hecase is undeniable, but he forgot that a true
display of wit by both of them, criticism. That Collier had a he
a churchman. Had
but, above all, provides instructions which have serious to society as
the context of the dimensions in artist does have as sincere obligation till the production of The Way of the
society. On her part, Millament makes it
lover's (Mirabell's) appeals and clear that a waited before publishing his essay that truth; for, in the
perhaps understood
entreaties should World (1770), he could have
riage ceremony. Therefore, she would like to benot stop with the mar- seems to understand
the "immo-
mariage. She next puts that 'solicited even after play The Way of the World Congreveupon the matrices of which Resto-
lye abed in a morning as long"My
dear liberty" should be a society,
rality and profaneness" of He
please.. Millament thenpreserved;
"TlI of an alternative
as I "
were made. was seriously thinking
she would not like to be informs that ration plays of conduct. The very
alternative set of codes
dear, joy, jewel, love, addressed by such names as "wife, spouse, my pattern of behaviour and an the World points to the 'way' the hero and
which men and their sweet-heart; and the rest of that nauseous title of the
play, The Way of in order to come
wives are so can, in spectators) should adopt
fulsomely familiar." Moreover, they will heroine (and by implication the
 English Voices
story is
whole story
is an illus a Way ofthe
World 15
The The
fashionable
society.
Mirabell
and Millament seek a
Millament

nlay is in the emergence of lovers who through a balance of intense

out of
thegrip
of the
by
following
which
using
and
Conne ulating the
manipulatin

affection and cool self-knowledge achieve an equilibrium that frees them

own worid by that society. Congreve The Way of the World
tion ofthe
process,
their lanesof from the world's power. As the title of the play
that is, to gain the winding aim in mind. On the rational lucidity of sceptical rake so
resofution,
through with this suggests, they haveasSimilated
At the hen. demands.
norms, accordingly
eNISing
social
of the play of the play. gin- that they can use the world and reject its
the plot movement

heecan
in the situation so that
Constructed

definite patterm up a of the restoration

can discem a
Mirabell is trying to shape from Lady Wishfort.
Wishfort. He
He has Q. The Way Of The World reflect the social life
ning ofthe play, Millament
and her estate
Wishforts maid, Foible and again in England. Discuss.
of
William Congreve is the best and finest writer of the comedy of
hands Lady
win both Waitwell off to
noble man, court, and mam Ans.
married his servant,
himself as a '
of the World' is considered as a pure comedy
Waitwell disguise her by threatening t manners. His The Way
plans to have Mirabell would blackmail
Here we find an ironic commentary on the ways of the
Wishfort. Then offer her to release her of manners.
Lady and would has depicted the social life of the
disclose that she has
maried a servant
estate. But
Mrs. Marwood society of the time. Here Congreve
Millament plus the
also tells fashionable men and women of the Restoration Age. During this period
if she will let him marry Mrs. Marwood
moral earnestness and decorum thrown to
tells Lady Wishfort.
were
discovers the plan and with Mirabell gravity, spiritual zeal,
Fainwall's former relationship peculiar age. The king was thorough debauch. He had
Fainwall of his wife, Mrs. Wishfort by threatenine winds. This was a was surrounded by
to blackmail Lady mistresses and numerous children. He
From all these Fainwall plans his wife's but also a number of
to reveal all unless she signs
over to him not only courtiers. There was no moral code for them.
of Lady Wishfort's own corrupt and degenerate ladies and gentleman
was rampant in all walks of life. The
conversation
Millament's estate and even the Corruption
estate after her death. As the action
of the play gets momentum and the of upper classes were busy in love and
lust. The pursuit of women was
Congreve loads the stage by become licentious animal. The
plot becomes more and more complicated,
like Mr. Wilful Witwood. While it adds to
the main business of men. The man had
introducing confusing figures ideal of love was corrupt. There was complete absence of sexual morality.
further. However, certain
the comedy of the play, it complicates the plot The fond of fashion created a unique type of culture. There was complete
hidden facts of the past are revealed through the conversations of the freedom among the women. They were like jolly butterflies that fluttered
characters: for instance, Mrs. Marwood's desire for Mirabell, Mrs. from one flower to another to satisfy their passions. The married women
Marwood's relationship with Fainall, Mirabell's past affair with Mrs.
had unfair relations with other men. Their husbands were cuckold. People
Fainall etc. Congreve measures these secrets slowly person by person,
of this age were frequent visitors of the parks, play houses and hotels.
until the final revelation in Act V, where all pretences are destroyed Mr. These were the centres of love affairs and love intrigues. The coffee
Fainall's and Mirabell's revelations, and the bringing out from a black box houses were overcrowded. This was the picture of Congreve's age.
of the deed renders Mr. Fainall
powerless. The complexities and compli- In The Way of the World Congreve has presented the true picture of
cations are, however, deliberate on Congreve's part; for he wanted to
present his Restoration audience a play that can coincide artistically with the contemporary society. Here he has described the infidelity of married
the intrigues of
the artificialities and women, the fashionable life of ladies and gentleman and
complexities in the human affairs of the period. The
chief aim of the dramatist is to demonstrate "the lovers. All the characters of this play are fond of fashion. Lady like
way of the world". Wishfort uses heavy cosmetics to hide her faded beauty and wrinkles.
Following this way Mirabell and Millament, through their own peculiar
balance of wit and generosity of spirit, reduce the Public places like Chocolate house and St. James' park are mentioned
Mr. Fainall to the same level of false wit. Thus thebumbling Witwood and here. These places provide an opportunity for the lovers to enjoy their
pair dramatise the true the scene of a
wit that is carefully and
symmetrically defined through their opposition. games of love, lust and intrigues. The play opens with cards. In' The
They are aware of the fact that they are making chocolate house. Here Mirabell and Fainall arte playing
compromises in their
marriage. Mirabell says, "...I like her with all her faults: Way of the World' we find that male characters are pursuing female
nay, I like her for with other men.
her
faults... They are now grown familiar to me as my own frailties... And " characters. He female characters have unfair relations
Millament charmingly declares, "Well, if Mirabell should
not make a They cuckold their husbands. Mrs. Marwood enjoying sensual plea-
is
husband, I am lost thing-find I love him violently." These confidencesgood do
she has soft
sure with Mr. Fainall. Mrs. Fainall hates her husbandhasandsoft corner for
she
not prevent their own chances for
honesty in marriage. In the Proviso Corner for mirabell. Millamant loves Mirabell but widow
Scene they
Petulant and Witwoud. Mirabell has had an affair with young at all.
a
arrange an agreement for their marriage., The reason is obvi-
ous: that is, Fainall. Marriage has no sanctity
marriage is a social contract that would enable them to rise
above the cant and
he
Dut persuades her to marry
Thus there is an atmosphere of free love in this play
hypocrisy that surround them. The
triumph of the place in "The Way of the
World.
Love intrigues occupy an important
 English
16
with the intrigues l to win the
of Mirabell the Voices
T entire play
The deals
to make love to Lady
hand
Millamant. To achieve his aim, he pretends a
an elderly lady. When he fails, he
hatches deeper plot. He kna
she is desirous of marrying again. Thus he sends his servant to
Wis
Nishfort,
that
to he
her as
Sir Rowland to deceive her. Mr. Fainall has illicit relation with N.
Marwood. He is also busy in an intrigue to grab the property of his
his wifel,
wife's
Mrs.
mother. In this way Congreve has presented the spirit of the age.
Millamant's bargain with Mirabell is an important feature of the fash.
1onable society. It shows the true picture of the morality of the age. She
thinks her liberty would be crushed by marriage. Thus before mar.
that
riage, she wants Mirabell to agree that she would be free to do anything
even after marriage.
Thus 'The Way of the World' presents a picture of the Restora-
true
Tion Age. It reflects the social life of the day. Here the upper class manner
Is central target of Congreve's attack.