Materialism As Seen Through Fainall in William Congreve’S the Way of the World: a Satire on Social Condition in the Restoration Era
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 of Sarjana Sastra in English Letters
By
Yenny Paruang
Student Number: 064214093
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA 2010 MATERIALISM AS SEEN THROUGH FAINALL IN WILLIAM CONGREVE’S THE WAY OF THE WORLD: A SATIRE ON SOCIAL CONDITION IN RESTORATION ERA
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra in English Letters
By
Yenny Paruang
Student Number: 064214093
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA 2010
i ii iii 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.
-W. Edwards Deming-
iv Dedicated to My beloved parents, and family
&
My lovely friends…
v 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 all the kindness of your heart.
vi My gratefulness also goes to Sita. Thank you for being my teacher and for the sharing of life, it makes me grow up. To all of my lovely friends Rere, Ira, Puput,
Danas, Dewi, and Vero who accompany me in passing my life in Jogja. Thank you 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…!!!
Yenny Paruang
vii TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE ……………………………………………………………… i APPROVAL PAGE ……………………………………………………….. ii ACCEPTANCE PAGE …………………………………………………… iii MOTO PAGE ……………………………………………………………… iv DEDICATION PAGE …………………………………………………….. v ACKNOLEDGEMENTS PAGE …………………………………………. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS …………………………………………………. viii LEMBAR PERYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA 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 1. Fainall’s Perspective on Marriage …………………………….. 36
viii 2. Fainall’s Greed toward Money and Estate ……………………. 38 3. Fainall’s Life Style ………………………………………….... 42 C. Satires on Society in Restoration Era As Seen through Character of Fainall ………………………………………………. 43
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION ……………………………………….……. 55 BIBLIOGRAPHY …………………………………………………………… 58 APPENDIX ………………………………………………………………….. 61
ix x ABSTRACT
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: 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.. In the play, Fainall is described as a nobleman, a disloyal and offensive husband, also a lavish, foolish and impolite person. He is never described as a good person. Another of his characteristics is a materialistic person. His materialistic side is present on some evidences. First, he marries his wife only for money purpose, it is the satire toward the marriage institution at that time which is used as economic contract. Second, he is not satisfied with his wife’s fortune, he also wants to control Millamant’s fortune, his wife’ cousin and his mother in law‘s estate. It shows the greediness of the society at that time toward money. Third, he likes to spend his wife’s money to have fun, it satirize the life style of aristocratic class which only considers about their reputation in society. Congreve uses Fainall’s materialistic side as the satire toward the materialistic society in Restoration Era. This play is considered as a satire since it aims to correct the society. From the conducted analysis, it is proven that William Congreve’s The Way of the World is a satire to the materialistic society in Restoration Era.
xi 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. Dalam drama ini, Fainall digambarkan sebagai seorang bangsawan, suami yang tidak setia dan suka menghina, serta orang yang boros, bodoh, dan tidak sopan. Dia tidak pernah digambarkan sebagai orang baik. Sifatnya yang lain adalah orang yang matrealistis. Sisi matrealistis ditunjukkan dengan beberapa bukti. Pertama, dia menikahi istrinya hanya demi uang, ini merupakan sindiran terhadap lembaga pernikahan pada saat itu yang digunakan sebagai kontrak ekonomi. Kedua, dia tidak pernah puas dengan harta milik istrinya, dia juga ingin menguasai harta Millaman, sepupu istrinya, dan tanah kepunyaan ibu mertuanya. Hal ini menunjukkan sifat masyarakat tamak terhadap uang pada saat itu. Ketiga, dia suka menghabiskan uang istrinya untuk bersenang-senang. Hal ini menyindir gaya hidup kalangan atas yang hanya berpikir reputasi mereka di masyarakat. Congreve menggunakan sifat matrealistis Fainall sebagai sindiran terhadap masyarakat yang matrealistis di Era Restorasi. Drama ini dikategorikan sebagai sindiran (satir) karena bertujuan untuk meluruskan penyimpangan dalam masyarakat. Dari analisa yang telah dilakukan, terbukti bahwa The Way of The World karya William Congreve adalah sindiran terhadap masyarakat matrealistis di Era Restorasi.
xii CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
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 book Glencoe Literature about the literature during this time that:
During the seventeenth century, rather serious poetic types were common. Wit, or cleverness, was regarded as a characteristic of greatness and satire was prized in works of literature.
1 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 the end, if the playwright has been successful, the audience will leave the theater 3
feeling good (or at least feeling something), having laughed at themselves and society
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
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 readers. 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 readers. There several terms which are used in this study are as follows. 5
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 to Longman 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 Philosophy states 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 class status social on the highest level of their life or related to economic matters. 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.
Later, the parliament asked Charles daughter Mary in and her Dutch Protestant 7
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). 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.
One of the books which analyze the play The Way of the World is the thesis by Antonius Adhi Irianto’s Impoliteness in William Congreve’s The Way of the
World, he uses the play as the object of study of his thesis. But, he analyzes the thesis from pragmatic perspective (linguistic approach). He takes Berkowitz’s statement
8 9
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 book History of Literature in English: Britain and Ireland analyze 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
Wycherley, George Etherege, William Congreve, and George Farquhar. This form 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 is The Way of the World which 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 greatest practitioner, William Congreve, was displaying his subtle artistry in Love 11
For Love (1695) and The Way of the World (1700)
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 the Way 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
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 simile, realistic imagery, and pungent vernacular. 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 in The 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, dispositional, and emotional qualities that are expressed in what they say, the 13
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
conversation or through the medium of another person. 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 humanity. Satire is divided into two types; first type is formal (or direct) satire, in 15
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 book The 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
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 will laugh without realizing that what they see or read is actually about them. 16
3. The Relationship between Literature and Society
According to Wellek and Warren in their book Theory 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 the portraits of social condition in certain time. 17
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 book History 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 the Industrial Revolution at the time is the emerging of bourgeois people/middle class 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)
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.
Further demand could not be satisfied until Britain enlarged its capacity to produce 19
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.
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 middle class at that time showed their materialism by putting the servants to work in 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:
The principal food was meat. Rich had wheat bread, the poor had rye bread. The Rich drank chocolate, coffee, or tea (at $ 50 per pound). The poor drank 21
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 sets The 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 much money. 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
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 character which exists in this play. It will show the description of the character in the 23
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 find out what kind of society at that time which portray through Fainall character. 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
Rowland, after that Waitwell must married with Lady Wishfort. Fainal who is Lady
24 25
Wishfort’s son in law and Mrs. Marwood, Fainall’s mistress try to defeat Mirabell’s 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
Literature state 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.
The writer’s primary data was taken from the play, The Way of the World. While the 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 appropriate approach. It tried to identify the literary work from its social, cultural, and 27
historical background. Then, the writer made two main questions to find out the 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, the writer makes the conclusion from the analyzed chapter. 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 society in Restoration Era which becomes the focus of the thesis.
28 29
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 in The Way of the World uses 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
Mr. Fainall, and likes Mirabell), Mrs. Fainall ( daughter to Lady Wishfort, and wife 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 second characteristic of Fainall is a fake person. As his name implies ‘Fainall’ or 31
‘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) who also wants to show to everybody that her marriage is fine. She only wants to 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 an offensive husband by Mrs. Fainall. One of Murphy’s ways in knowing the characterization of characters is based on the conversation by others. His wife who hates him is shown on the below conversation. 33
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 is lavish person. 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 fair behavior. His wit and outward fair behavior make him can be allowed by society. 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 a foolish person. 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 about him. Fainall is an impolite person according to Lady Wishfort. Fainall who comes from upper class but his attitude does not show his social status. 35
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 puts his own mother in-law and his wife, Mrs. Fainall in terrible situation. 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 following statement shows Fainall’s perspective of his marriage. 37
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 his wife only based on money is reflected through below conversation: 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 fortune and his mother-in-law’s estate. 39
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 inheritance will make him richer and richer than before. He feels that he has right on 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. (Act III, Scene III, p. 113) 41
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:
FAINALL. …You shall submit your own estate to my management, and absolutely make over my wife’s to my sole use, as pursuant to the purport and tenor of this other covenant. – I suppose, madam your consent is not requisite in this case; nor Mr. Mirabell, your resignation; nor, Sir Wilfull,... – You may draw your fox if you please, sir, and make a bear-garden flourish somewhere else; for 42
here it will not avail. This, my lady Wishfort, must be subscribed, or your darling daughter’s turned adrift, like a leaky hulk, to sink or awim, as she and current of this lewd town can agree. LADY WISHFORT. Is there no means, no remedy to stop my ruin? Ungrateful wretch! Dost thou not owe thy being, thy subsistence, to my daughter’s fortune? FAINALL. I will answer you when I have the rest of it in my possession. (Act V, Scene III, p. 159-160)
The above conversation clearly shows Fainall’s act when he tries to get Lady
Wishfort’s money. He threats his mother in law. If she does not give her estate, he will ruin her daughter’s, Mrs. Fainall, reputation in society. Fainall knows that Lady
Wishfort really loves her daughter and will do everything to save her reputation. This prove that Fainall does not care about the relationship between him with Lady
Wishfort as his mother in law to get money. He does not have any respect toward his mother- in- law, he only know how to become rich.
3. Fainall’s Life Style
One of ways indicates whether a person is materialistic or not usually is shown by his life style. Materialistic is not only talked about money but also the reputation of someone in society. Fainall who is indicated as a materialistic has life style which presents materialistic person. In the play there are some proofs which show the materialistic of Fainall.
In the first analysis which states about the characteristic of Fainall is explain of the life style of him which likes to spend his time to be extravagant with money with his friends in a chocolate-house, and playing cards (Act I, Scene 1, Congreve
1894: 43). Chocolate and coffee drinking are marginally acceptable aristocratic 43
sources of intoxication, pursued by males alone (except for female servants), and often accompany by gambling at that time. This tradition later is transformed into the
"gentlemen's clubs" of London, fraternities which form the hidden inner circle of the power structure for politics, business, science, and the arts
Besides the other proof which shows that Fainall is a person who likes to have fun is by enjoying the James’s Park (Act II, Scene I, Congreve 1894: 67) which is at that time only people who come from high social status who can enjoy this park. At that time this park is the canvas upon which aristocratic Londoners showed off new fashions and new relationships, traded gossip and rumor, and plotted with/against each other
C. Satire on Social Condition in The Restoration Era Seen through the Character of Fainall
This is the last part of analysis, according to the third problem formulation.
This part will contain the satire toward society in Restoration Era through the character of Fainall. 44
Congreve as the author of The Way of the World tries to deliver his opinion of the society in Restoration Era which becomes the setting of the play. By applying
Sociocultural – Historical approach, the writer tries to analyze what kind of society that Congereve tries to satirize by this work. Based on the explanation about History of Restoration Era in England in Chapter II, the writer finds that many events happened at that time.
After analyzing the character of Fainall as the focus of the thesis, Congreve uses his character to satirize the materialistic society in Restoration Era. According to the characterization in part 2 in Chapter IV, he has great interest in and desire for possession, money, etc. rather than spiritual matters, art, etc. This definition is called materialism, or and a person or group who chooses to spend their resources, particularly money and time is called materialistic people (Longman Dictionary of
English Language and Culture, 1974: 82).
The criticism that Congreve delivers through The Way of the World is called satire. The play can be called as satire, based on the theory of satire in chapter II.The play contain of a critical attitude with humor and wit for the purpose of improving human institutions or humanity. The satire used by Congreve in The Way of the
World is mostly indirect type (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). 45
Based on the historical background in chapter II, the writer finds some facts indicating that Congreve uses The Way of the Word to satirize the materialistic society at that time. The satire is related to the marriage as economic contract, the middle class’ greed, the life style of high class, and the beginning period of Industrial
Revolution.
The first indirect satire is toward the marriage which is used as economic contract by society in Restoration Era is shown from Fainall’s marriage life. It looks ironic, as a man and a husband Fainall has perfect life. He has a wife from high status and good life. But in fact, his marriage with Mrs. Fainall is just to exploit her fortune.
Fainall desire to life easily and has controlled over the Mrs. Fainall’s fortune (Act III,
Scene III, p. 114).
It can be seen from the conversation in that page between Fainall and Mrs.
Marwood how Fainall tries to persuade Mrs. Marwood. He said that his marriage is nothing or meaningless for him. It seems that his marriage is only legality for him. He never loves his wife, he only wants his wife’s money, that is all.
This is one example of indirect satire that Congreve wants to show through this play. Fainall’s idea of his marriage that marriage is only legality for him is the representation of marriage as an economic contract in Restoration Era which people use only to get money and social rank in society. Fainall thinks that he can leave his wife after he gets his wife’s money because his wife is nobody for him.
MRS. MARWOOD. But not to loathe, detest, abhor mankind, myself, and the whole treacherous world. 46
FAINALL. Nay…. I convinced I’ve done you wrong; and any way, every way will amends. I’ll hate my wife yet more, damn her! I’ll part with her, rob her of all she’s worth, and we’ll retire somewhere, anywhere, to another world. I’ll marry thee – be pacified. (Act II, Scene I, p. 73-74)
It is clear that Fainall never loves his wife. What he wants from his marriage is his wife’s money, property and estates. After he can get his wife’s fortune, he will squander it with his mistress. Actually, Fainall does not really rob his wife’s money.
He only takes advantage of the marriage system at that time to get more and more possession. Knowing the marriage system at that time, it is easier for Fainall to wrest full Millamant’s fortune. He knows that if there is no permission from Lady Wishfort as Millamant’s parent relative to get married with someone, Millamant’s fortune will go to her cousin, Fainall’s wife. In fact, Fainall only exploit his marriage to get all that fortune.
Using the character of Fainall, Congreve wants to satirize the male-dominated or patriarchal society in Restoration period, which states that a woman is not more meaningful 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. 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.
Marriage is always related to economical matter. It is as the satire of that situation where everything is very materialistic or considered by matter. This marriage system makes society at that time become materialistic. Because in 47
Restoration period, the men do not need to work really hard, the men only need to marry with women from upper class, and then they will have high class status social and the fortune or moiety of their wife as the dowry for him.
This is what actually happens in Fainall’s marriages. He exploits the marriages system at that time to get much money and reputation. Besides, Fainall also has an adulterous affair with Mrs. Marwood. In fact, he has already had a perfect and rich wife, Mrs. Fainall, but he still wants much more. Related to dowry, the materialistic side of Fainall toward Millamant’s dowry is the representation of the characters of materialistic society especially men, who will get dowry from their bride. If Millamant does not marry with Mirabell, it means that her dowry will go to
Fainall’s wife’s fortune, the other hand this fortune will become Fainall’s possession.
In this play, after he can get all the money, he will spend it with his mistress, 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)
The second satire that Congreve used is toward the lawyers, government officials, and successful merchants who at that time mostly come from middle class 48
status social. Congreve through the play wants to satirize their greed. It is proven through this following conversation:
FAINALL. …You shall submit your own estate to my management, and absolutely make over my wife’s to my sole use, as pursuant to the purport and tenor of this other covenant. – I suppose, madam your consent is not requisite in this case; nor Mr. Mirabell, your resignation; nor, Sir Wilfull, your right... LADY WISHFORT. Is there no means, no remedy to stop my ruin? Ungrateful wretch! Dost thou not owe thy being, thy subsistence, to my daughter’s fortune? FAINALL. I will answer you when I have the rest of it in my possession. (Act V, Scene III, p. 159-160)
It shows the materialistic of Fainall who is originally from middle class status but after he got married with his wife who is from upper class, Fainall’s status social changes to upper class. But, Fainall is never satisfied with what he already has now.
He has his wife’s possession but he wants more and more. He tries to press his own mother in law to get her estates. The other evidence of Fainall’s greediness is shown from the below quotation:
FAINALL. Lastly, I will be endowed, in right of my wife, with that six thousand pounds, which is the moiety of Mrs. Millamant’s fortune in your possession; and which she has forfeited….by her disobedience in contracting herself against your consent or knowledge; and by refusing the offered match with Sir Wilfull Witwoud, which you, like a careful aunt, had provided for her. (Act V, Scene II, p. 153)
The statement clearly shows that Fainall is a greedy person. Fainall thinks that he has right on Millamant’s fortune which amounted to six thousand pound because
Millamant’s disobedience has made her lose her fortune. He not only wants to get his wife’s fortune but he also wants to wrest full Millamant’s fortune. 49
Fainall’s greed is the portrait of middle class’s greed at that time. Congreve wants to state that people from middle class in Restoration Era are they people who never satisfied with what they already had. Although middle class are the people, who already have wealth, but they put the servants and miners work from sunrise until sunset to get highest benefit without considering their worker’s tiredness, what they think is how to get more and more benefit. Besides, most people in Restoration period have same interest on land, including the people from middle class. They buy the land not only for increasing their social standing but also for increasing their income (Ashley, 1952:18).
The third indirect satire that the author used is toward the life style of high class. In the beginning of the play Congreve has shown indirect satire toward the society at Restoration Era through the characterization of Fainall based on Fainall’s life style. From the first analysis, the characterization of Fainall is presented as a person who is from high class status and who likes to spend their time and money to relax in café, for example: Chocolate-House and playing card (Congreve, 1894:43).
Actually, by using Fainall’s life style, the author wants to satirize the upper class people in Restoration Era who can enjoy their life with eating wheat bread and drinking chocolate, coffee or tea, while the people from low class only eat rye bread and drink milk and beer (Greenwood, 1985:135).
In Restoration Era, there are also some places that which only people from aristocratic class who can be allowed to come into this place and they are presented in 50
the play, for example: Chocolate House which later are transformed into ‘gentlemen’s club’ of London, fraternities which form the hidden inner circle of the power structure for politics, business, science. Chocolate and coffee drinking also present the patriarchal society at that time because only males who purses it. They do not only drink chocolate and coffee but also gamble, for example: by playing card. The other place which is also present in the play as part of luxurious life style is St. John
Park which at Restoration Era people calls it ‘Mall’. This the place where is the canvas upon which aristocratic Londoners showed off new fashions and new relationships, traded gossip and rumor, and plotted with/against each other.
These kinds of life style urge low class in Restoration Era to do anything even what they do is something bad. It makes them become materialistic people. They try to follow the upper class’s life style although they do not have money or possession to fulfill this need. They will do everything to full their needs on luxurious life style.
People who do not come from high class status will think that live as an aristocrat is the high goal of life.
The gap of life style between the aristocracy class and low class is one cause that makes people at the time become the people who consider money as the most important thing than anything else. Upper class people thought that with money, everybody can do everything. They think one of ways to increase their status social by spend their time in public place where only people from aristocratic class can go in that place. 51
Congreve not only satirizes the low class which wants to be high class because the luxurious life style but he also wants to satirize the aristocratic class itself. The people from this class will do everything to maintain their status so they can enjoy all the facility that society serves for aristocratic class although what they do is wrong.
The last indirect satire which is found in the play, The Way of the World, is
Congreve as the author also wants to satirize materialistic society in Restoration Era.
Congreve uses Fainall character to satirize the social condition in Restoration in pre –
Industrial Revolution. He satirizes the change of society’s mindset in Restoration period. The satire is shown from the change of Fainall’s mindset toward money. This is proven from the conversation that shows Fainall’s change of mind (Act II, Scene I, p. 72).
In fact, Fainall has a perfect life. Due to his marriage with his wife, Fainall can enjoy and have easy life. He has her wife’s fortune. Actually, it is enough for him. But, after he hears about Millamant’s inheritance, this changes his mindset toward money. He also tempts to power Millamant’s inheritance. This, actually what
Congreve wants to satirize toward the condition of society in pre – Industrial
Revolution.
Before Industrial Revolution, the people in farmland have a happy live, although it can not be said that they are rich. But they already can fulfill their principal needs, for example: food, and dress. Their mindset changes when there is 52
Industrial Revolution. People begin to migrate from their farmland to urban city, most of them go to London as the biggest city in England.
The success of middle and upper class in the city tempt people in farmland to migrate. They begin to think other things outside their principal needs, for example: luxurious things (tea, chocolate, dress from silk, etc). They work all the time only to get money, so they can live easier. They spent almost of their time to work, as the result they do not have time to spend with their family or to make relationship with other people. This is one of the conditions of society that Congreve wants to satirize.
The development which happens in early Industrial Revolution makes the society at Restoration Era become the people who only think of money and position, finally they forget one of the essential things in life which is the relationship with other people. This is ironic, when people who live in farmland have good life but after they move to urban life what they get is only misery because they have to work harder to fulfill their need than they have to when they live in farmland.
In the end of the play, Congreve shows the satire through the consequence that Fainall has to be responsible because his characteristic as a materialistic person.
Fainall’s greediness which is shown when he does not only get his Millamant’s half of moiety but also his mother -in-law’s estate at the end of the play, he has to get the consequence of his materialistic, finally, he gets nothing. Besides, from his marriage 53
with his wife, he gets nothing because whole of his wife’s estate and fortune is given to Mirabell, Fainall’s rival.
FAINALL. Very likely, sir. What’s here? – Damnation! [Reads.] “A deed of conveyance of the whole estate real of Arabella Languish, widow, in trust to Edward Mirabell.” – Confusion! MIRABELL. Even so, sir; ‘tis the Way of the World, sir, of the widows of the world. I suppose this deed may bear an elder date than what you have obtained from your lady.
FAINALL. Perfidious fiend! then thus I’ll be revenged. [Offers to run at Mrs. Fainall.] (Act V, Scene III, p. 164)
This is actually what Congreve wants to say toward the materialistic society at the Restoration Era. People at that time become a greedy society who does not care with what they will do to get money, property, estate, etc. Congreve wants to say that if we become materialistic people and do everything to get money, what we will get is nothing and what they already have will lost just like that. Congreve uses statement of Mirabell who is Fainall’s rival in seizing Millamant’ fortune ‘‘tis the Way of the
World’ which means that it is life where people never know what will happen.
What you already have will lost just like that only because your own greed. So, people need to spend their life correctly, because there are still many things to do to get happiness than only thinking to get possession.
After all the analysis above, Congreve’s main aim through the play, The Way of the World, is to satirize the materialistic society in Restoration Era. He satirizes 54
how people at that time do anything to get money to be richer and richer, and how they are never satisfied and grateful with what they already have.
All the satires in this play are needed to stop the growth of society’s mentality in Restoration which grows to unhealthy mentality. Therefore, Congreve wants to repair it by making the society realize this by saying that there is something wrong with their point of view toward money which will make them become materialistic people. They only value anything based on money, for example: relationship in marriages, social relationship and family relationship.
Related to the purpose of satire which is not only for humor but also criticizing the imperfection of people, criticizing a society in certain time (Restoration
Era) is thought as the moral purpose. Congreve tried to propose some ideas that were so paced to make the society at that time realize that their attitude toward money still puts money on the highest level of their life. As the result, they will get nothing, because there are still many things that make people happy besides money, possession, and estate. CHAPTER V
CONCLUSION
This chapter contains of the conclusion of all chapters in the thesis, especially the main point of chapter IV. The writer uses the play which is written by William
Congreve The Way of The World, as the object of study of the thesis. In the thesis, the writer will focus only on one character which is Fainall. In analyzing the thesis, the writer’s main point is to find out the satire on materialistic society in Restoration Era which is depicted through Fainall.
Based on the first problem formulation on previous analysis, the writer characterizes Fainall as a nobleman, disloyal and offensive husband, fake, foolish, lavish and impolite person. His characteristic as a nobleman is shown from his life style and his mother in law’s title, ‘Lady’, that only the woman from aristocratic class can be called by this title. As a husband, Fainall is known as disloyal, it is shown by his affair with another woman. As an offensive husband, is proven by his own wife who really hates him. His friend calls him as a lavish person. His mistress calls him as a foolish because he does not know that his wife has betrayed him. Then, his mother in law calls him as a barbarian which implies that he is an impolite person.
Based on the second problem formulation, the writer more focuses on one of the characteristics of Fainall which is used as the satire toward the society at that time. The characteristic is materialistic. Fainall is a materialistic person. It is proven by Fainall’s perspective on marriage, Fainall’s greed, and Fainall’s life style.
55 56
Fainall never sees a marriage as an honorable thing. The only reason why he marries his wife is only to control his wife’s fortune. Marriage is only legality for him to get money. There is no love between them. It is shown by Fainall’s adulterous affair with another woman Fainall has promised to marry her after he can control his wife’s fortune. Fainall is also known as a greedy person who is never satisfied with what he already has. It is shown when he feels that his wife’s fortune is not enough for him, so he tries to wrest full Millamant’s (Fainall’s wife’s cousin) fortune and his mother’s estate, then, Fainall’s life style. This life style refers to the life style of aristocratic class. Fainall is a person who knows how to enjoy his life. He likes to spend his time in the place in which only the people who come from high social status enter it. It is not only the way for him to enjoy the life but also the way for him to show his status social or his reputation in society to the people.
Based on the third problem formulation which also becomes the focus of the study which is to find out the satire in the play, this analysis is more related to the second problem formulation which shows Fainall as a materialistic person that becomes the portrait of the materialistic society in Restoration Era. The writer finds out some facts on history of Restoration Era which is the reason of the author to write the play. The satire related to the marriage as economic contract, the middle class’ greed, the life style of high class, and the beginning period of Industrial Revolution.
Congreve wants to satirize the society who considers marriage as an economic contract from which they can get money. People get married not based on love to each other but based on economic purpose, to get benefit from the marriage, for 57
example: money, estate, and fortune. It also happens to Fainall who marries his wife only to get his wife’s fortune. Congreve also wants to satirize the middle class greed in Restoration Era. People do everything to get higher benefit. They put their workers to work from sunrise to sunset to get higher benefit without thinking about their workers’ tiredness. They also buy many lands to increase their class status. Fainall is also a greedy person who is not satisfied with his wife’s fortune and wants more than that.
Besides, Congreve also satirizes the life style of aristocratic class who like to spend their money and time to have fun in luxurious place. Fainall also does the same thing. He likes to spend his money in prestigious place to show off his class status although the money is from his wife. The last, Congreve also wants to satirize the change of people’s mindset in the beginning of Industrial Revolution. Their mindset changes from the people who have simple life to the people who consider the luxurious things as important in their life. Fainall is also one of the people who think that money is the important thing in the life.
In the end of the play, Fainall gets nothing. Being a materialistic person is no use because it will end in sorrow. The main point of the play is to make people realizes that money is not the most important thing in the life.
In conclusion, the purpose of The Way of the World is as indirect satire toward the materialistic society in Restoration Era, and hopefully it will make them realize that there are many valuable things in their life rather than money such as, love, marriage, and social relationship, then life well. BIBLIOGRAPHY
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THE WAY OF THE WORLD
Summary of the Drama
The play is about two lovers Mirabell and Millamant. They can not get married because they need Lady Wishfort’s blessing who is the aunt of Millamant.
Lady Wishfort hates Mirabell because he has previously pretended to love her.
Because the blessing of Lady Wishfort will make Millamant be able to get her full inheritance. Mirabell and Mrs. Fainall, Lady Wishfort’s daughter, make a secret plan to trick Lady Wishfort, so she allows Mirabell and Millamant to marry.
The plan is that Waitwell, Mirabell’s servant, will pretend as Sir Rowland
(Mirabell’s rich uncle). Sri Rowland is rumored to be Mirabel's uncle, a man who hates Mirabell. and who could, by having a male child of his own, disinherit Mirabell in Mirabell's father's will. This is a rumor Mirabell started himself. It makes Lady wishfort agree to marry him because she hates Mirabell. He will marry Lady Wishfort but before they marry, Lady Wishfort must sign a contract which state that she allows
Mirabell and Millamant to get married.
Fainall who is Mrs. Fainall’s husband, as Mirabell’s rival he is also envious of
Mirabell. He makes a plan with his mistress, Mrs. Marwood, to fail this secret plan.
They make a blackmail which tells the truth. Fainall wants to get the money from his 61 62
wife, Millamant’s fortune and Lady Wishfort’s estate. Fainall’s plan is success. He can proof that Mirabell deceive Lady Wishfort.
After that, Fainall asked Lady Wishfort to give him Millamant’s fortune and her estate if she wants save her and her daughter reputation. Lady Wishfort offers to allow Mirabell to wed Millamant in return for his helping her escape (saving her and
Millamant fortunes, but apparently leaving Mrs. F. in deep trouble). Without Fainall knows his wife has signed all her possessions over to Mirabell to prevent their falling into Fainall's hands. As the result, Fainall gets nothing and Mirabell can marry
Millamant and they can get Millamant’s full inheritance. In the end of the play,
Mirabell said to Fainall that “tis the Way of the World” which means that this is the way of the world, we never know the end of the story of life, which is also the title of play.