Describe the social reflection in The Way of the World.
Or,
Describe The Way of the World as A Mirror of Society
Answer: “The Way of The World” is a mirror of society in a realistic manner. The infidelity of married women,cuckold husbands, the scandalous life of people, jealousy, gambling, intrigues, the fast taste of the people have been depicted in this drama. London is the center of comedy of manners. Whatever happens in coffee houses or clubs of London among the upper class people of the society is described here. In “Way of The World”, Congreve depicts the world of fashion of restoration period. We find that the characters like Lady Wishfort, Mirabell and Millamant are come from the upper class of the society.
Life of Women
Women are flirtiest and commercialized. They would betray their husbands without any compunction of conscience. The women of the time live in an atmosphere of social vices which result in jealousy and mutual suspicion. In “The Way of the World” this problem has been solved ultimately by the marriage of Millamant with Mirabell who agree to unit themselves in wedlock after scanning and finally stipulating certain conditions.
Love Affairs
The chief aspect of the comedy of manners is to depict love and love intrigues. In “The Way of the World”, we find many illicit relations and love affairs. Mirabell says to Mrs. Fainall… “You should have just so much disgust for your husband as may be sufficient to make you relish your love”. We find another love affair between Mr. Fainall and Mrs. Marwood. Though Mr. Fainall is a married fellow, he has illicit relation with Mrs. Marwood. Fainall faces the situation without fear and shame. He says… “If it must all come out, why let them know it is but the way of the world”.
Vanities and Fashions
The play makes us aware of the affections, vanities and fashions of women. We find that women talking about ill of men and hatched something against them. They exchange notes of the latest scandals. Lady Wishfort has too much attraction for cosmetics even at the age of fifty-five. In her alluring appearance, we find comic vanity. Even intelligent woman like Millamant, encouraged a crowd of admires together around her. Women were fond of wearing masks. Pregnant women used to wear tight dresses to maintain their own figures. Mrs. Marwood, Mrs. Fainall and Millamant dress up themselves just for show off their beauty.
Travelling
Travelling was something adventurous in those days. People had much interest in it. They were keen to pick up French as a fashionable language. Sir Wilful is so attractive to travelling. He is always ready to out for travelling. He hardly thinks of advances as desired by his aunt, Lady Wishfort to Millamant.
Intrigues
Intrigues were a part of the social and domestic life of the restoration age. A maidservant could be an agent for this sort of intrigues. Women are seduced through intrigues; sometimes for physical appetite and sometimes for economic factor. Fainall marries Lady Wishfort’s daughter for the sake of money. Besides, Mr. Fainall in league with Mrs. Marwood tries to grab Millamant’s legacy as well as Lady Whishfort’s whole property. Mirabell woos Lady Wishfort though he acting wishes to marry Millamant. Thus, the play went on in the form of intrigues prevailing in the society.
The Scandalous Places
Generally, we find some scandalous places like chocolate house, clubs, parks, coffee house etc. in the play. These scandalous places are the setting of the restoration comedy of manners. In “The Way of the World”, we find this type of places like… ‘Blue Garret’, ‘St. James Park’, ‘Hyde Park’ etc. These are the places where lovers met. The confidential talks took place among them at these places. Moreover, ‘the play houses’ were the places of scandals where the gentlemen and ladies went there for some other purpose rather than seeing the plays.
Role of Servants
The servants play a very vital role in the comedy of manners. Especially the maidservants are loose and without any moral. Their main business is to indulge in intrigues and exchange of secret letters. In the play, Petulant says… “I go to bed with my maid”. We see that the house cleaner belong to very low level to serve the aristocratic people. These prostitutes were dangerous to the moral security of home.
The Night Life
The nightlife of the restoration period does not appear to be innocent like any civil club life. People met for the reasons of sexual living, drinking and for a company among women. Though the people did not approve of excessive form of drunkenness, yet it seems to have been favoured by the society. Millamant entertains men at her place. The love life could only be conducted in the night. Sir Wilful is the king to the immoral climate of the night time.
Thus, the comedy of manner has been criticized for its licentiousness, obscenity and immorality. Congreve paints a realistic picture of the contemporary society in this play. That is why the present play can be called a mirror of the society because it reflects various shades of life including love, marriage, sex, intrigues, disguises and so on.