CliffsNotes on The Way of the World, a famous full-length comedy by William Congreve (January 24, 1670 – January 19, 1729) is our new Braille book. This play is now in the syllabus of Kolkata and many other universities. We hope, this short guide, transcribed into Braille from CliffsNotes will help visually impaired students studying English literature. For this and other CllifsNotes guides in Braille visit our Braille Books page.
About The Way of the World
The Way of the World begins at a chocolate bar where the audience is introduced to two chief male characters of the play, Mirabell and Mr. Fainall. They have just finished a card game. They now discuss love and marriage. Mirabell informs Fainall of his love for Millamant. However, he learns during the scene that he will lose a fortune of £6,000 if Lady Wishfort (her guardian) does not accept their marriage. It is an insufficient introduction to the plot that needs a more elaborate exposition. Still it successfully creates the atmosphere and sharply points to the major theme, love and fortune.
Mirabell and Millamant discuss the circumstances and decide on the terms and conditions of their marriage in the fourth act. This scene has become as the “Proviso Scene”. Both are in love, but they do not seem to be motivated by “love for love”. They make sure that their fortune is secured. Finally, Lady Wishfort is forced to give her consent to their union. The play has more than one intrigue. Blackmail and involvement of servants in manoeuvres seem too barefaced.
The Way of the World was the last of the five plays Congreve wrote during 1693-1700. The English audience tired of the immorality of the comedy of manners in which Congreve specilised rejected the play after its premiere at Lincoln’s Inn Fields in London in March 1700. The Way of the World is now regarded as his masterpiece. But initial failure on the stage and the severe criticism the dramatis faced forced its author to quit. Congreve wrote poems and translated works of Molière later on, but he did not return to the theatre.
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CliffsNotes on The Way of the World by William Congreve is available in Braille from Blind Persons’ Association, Kolkata; complete in 1 volume; price INR 91