Publisher's Synopsis
The Learned Women is a play written by the French playwright, Moliere, also known as Jean Baptiste Poquelin. The play is a satire that mocks the intellectual pretensions of women during the 17th century. The story revolves around a family where the father, Chrysale, is a simple man who wants his daughters to marry men who are also simple and not interested in intellectual pursuits. However, his wife, Philaminte, and her sister, Armande, are learned women who want to marry men who are equally intellectual. The conflict arises when the two daughters, Henriette and Clitandre, fall in love with each other, but their marriage is opposed by Philaminte and Armande because Clitandre is not considered intellectual enough. The play then follows the power struggle between the two sides as they argue about the value of intellectual pursuits and the role of women in society. The Learned Women is a witty and clever play that pokes fun at the cultural norms of the time and challenges the traditional gender roles. It is a commentary on the importance of education and the dangers of intellectual snobbery. The play is still relevant today and continues to be performed in theaters around the world.HEN. The safest thing to do would be to gain my mother over. My father easily consents to everything, but he places little weight on what he himself resolves. He has received from Heaven a certain gentleness which makes him readily submit to the will of his wife. It is she who governs, and who in a dictatorial tone lays down the law whenever she has made up her mind to anything. I wish I could see in you a more pliant spirit towards her and towards my aunt. If you would but fall in with their views, you would secure their favour and their esteem.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.