Student Question
Critically analyze the character Mrs. Marwood in The Way of the World.
Quick answer:
Mrs. Marwood in The Way of the World exemplifies the theme of appearances versus reality. She is involved in a plot to secure the fortunes of Lady Wishfort and Mrs. Fainall, driven by her affair with Fainall and her jealousy over Mirabell. Her schemes to discredit others ultimately fail, exposing her true nature and ruining her reputation.
Mrs. Marwood’s character exemplifies one of William Congreve’s central themes: the difference between appearances versus reality. This can also be phrased as the way that self-depiction masks a person’s true nature.
Mrs. Marwood plays a key role in the plot to obtain the fortunes of Lady Wishfort and Mrs. Fainall. Her desires are fueled by the affair she is having with a married man, the charming but unscrupulous Fainall. He is determined to get control of his wife’s wealth, as he has little of his own. Mrs. Marwood, however, is perfectly capable of formulating her own devious plans. She is using Fainall as much as he is using her. Her desires include the fortune of Lady Wishfort, who is Mrs. Fainall’s mother. Mrs. Marwood is motivated by her jealousy over Mirabell, who loves Millamant, Lady Wishfort’s niece. If Fainall gains control of the Wishfort money, Millamant will not be able to marry Mirabell.
To help Fainall support his claim, Mrs. Marwood devises a scheme to discredit Mrs. Fainall and Mirabell by making them out to be involved in an illegitimate relationship. This plan falls apart, however, and her affair with Fainall is instead exposed. Mrs. Marwood’s mask of propriety is thrown aside, and both her and Fainall’s reputations are destroyed.
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