Quote:
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN Non, vous dis-je, je ne veux que ces seules paroles-là dans le billet; mais tournées à la mode, bien arrangées comme il faut. Je vous prie de me dire un peu, pour voir, les diverses manières dont on les peut mettre.
MAÎTRE DE PHILOSOPHIE.- On les peut mettre premièrement comme vous avez dit: Belle Marquise, vos beaux yeux me font mourir d'amour. Ou bien: D'amour mourir me font, belle Marquise, vos beaux yeux. Ou bien: Vos yeux beaux d'amour me font, belle Marquise, mourir. Ou bien: Mourir vos beaux yeux, belle Marquise, d'amour me font. Ou bien: Me font vos yeux beaux mourir, belle Marquise, d'amour.
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN.- Mais de toutes ces façons-là, laquelle est la meilleure?
MAÎTRE DE PHILOSOPHIE.- Celle que vous avez dite: Belle Marquise, vos beaux yeux me font mourir d'amour.
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN.- Cependant je n'ai point étudié, et j'ai fait cela tout du premier coup. Je vous remercie de tout mon cœur, et vous prie de venir demain de bonne heure.
Synopsis:
The various teachers of Monsieur Jourdain start the play in telling us that while Monsuieur Jourdain is spending enormous amounts of money to seem better cultured and appear like a true "personne de qualite", he is fact quite the fool and is making no progress whatsoever in his desires. Upon his entrance, each of the teachers take turns in instructing Monsieur Jourdain a various art, but ultimatley end up fighting with one another over who teaches the greater artform. We also find out that Monsieur Jourdain has feelings for the Marquise Dorminene.
Reader's response:
I thought it was quite comical that the teachers called Monsieur Jourdain such a fool when they were just as silly in thier overdramatic views of their sacred art forms. I also was amused in seeing the continuity of each character. For example, the music teacher was by far more interested in keeping his pockets full of money, so each time Monsieur Jourdain asked for an opinion of his progress, the music instucor chimed in saying "Vous faites des merveilles."
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7 comments:
I really liked this play. The play flows along really well. It was very comic, like Daniel said. Monsieur Jourdain seems to be the sort of person who will believe almost anything anyone tells him. Especially if it's what all the noble people are doing. He has a funny personality.
I also thought this play was somewhat comical. Like Reese, I found Monsieur Jourdain reaction to wealth and nobility interesting. If the wealthy were going to be at the ballet, he was going to be at the ballet. The dispute of who's art is better was great as well
I wonder what could be parallels for us today. Could it be the desire to look cool, rich, stylish? What do we do in the name of climbing social rungs that are in the end ridiculously comedic?
In my view of our little Utah Valley world, I see the greatest parallels in people trying to fit into the "indie" stereotype. They must spend so much time and money finding the right music, clothes, and hanging out at the right places on the weekend.
But in a broader look at America, I think it applies to people who want to look like they're living the Hollywood lifestyle. Movie stars and other celebrities are, I think, the closest we have to nobility, so people buy unnecessarily expensive cars, clothes, and accessories to imitate them just as M. Jourdain is spending a fortune on tutors to help him seem more sophisticated.
I think this play is great so far. I love M. Jourdain and his willingness to do anything to be viewed as a gentilhomme. He is so easily tricked into anything his teachers tell him to do. I'm very interested to know what happens next.
Like the rest of you have said I totally see the parallels in our culture today. It's sad but I guess not much has changed. There our M. Joudains everywhere!
I loved the play so far. I found it really comical and interesting. i loved when the philosophy tutor got caught up in fighting the rest of the teachers. I can also see the parallels like Valeria said with the people in hollywood and the kids who want to be indie. I am sure the play will end up teaching us some life lessons along the way.
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