Week 3 Analysis
Close Reading on Moliere: Tartuffe (144-197)
On page 187 in the reading, Orgon finally realizes that Tartuffe is a traitor and a treacherous man due to witnessing the lust Tartuffe has for Orgon's wife, Elmire. After everyone repetitively told Orgon that Tartuffe was no good, he refused to listen and continued to treat Tartuffe like a saint. But after witnessing Tartuffe confessing his love for Elmire, Orgon tells Tartuffe, "Ah! Ah! You are a traitor and a liar! Some holy man you are, to wreck my life, Marry my daughter? Lust after my wife?" (lines 7-9 p.187).
With all the exclamation points and question marks after every other line, it's quite obvious that the author wanted to express Orgon's confusing and frustration. When I read the passage in my head, I read Orgon's voice in a yelling tone because he seems so angry due to the name calling and exclamation marks after the name calling.
This specific part in the entire reading seems to be the climax of the story because the rising action all leads up to this very moment when Orgon see's Tartuffe's true side.
The author made it clear on what our understanding should be on the characters. Every character had something bad to say about Tartuffe, meaning every character did not like this man except: Orgon and Madame Pernelle. They were the only two that were so blind to Tartuffe's characteristics. This moment in the text is like no other in the story because Orgon finally comes to an agreement that Tartuffe is a terrible man. Throughout the entire story, Orgon was defending and trying to protect Tartuffe, so he disagreed and got upset with anyone who talked down upon Tartuffe.
The most exciting thing this passage does is emphasize the true anger behind Orgon. It brings much tension and feelings to the reader (well to me at least) and it really captured my attention. I felt really engaged with the text. For example, this scene perfectly illustrates Orgon's new hatred feelings towards Tartuffe:
On page 187 in the reading, Orgon finally realizes that Tartuffe is a traitor and a treacherous man due to witnessing the lust Tartuffe has for Orgon's wife, Elmire. After everyone repetitively told Orgon that Tartuffe was no good, he refused to listen and continued to treat Tartuffe like a saint. But after witnessing Tartuffe confessing his love for Elmire, Orgon tells Tartuffe, "Ah! Ah! You are a traitor and a liar! Some holy man you are, to wreck my life, Marry my daughter? Lust after my wife?" (lines 7-9 p.187).
With all the exclamation points and question marks after every other line, it's quite obvious that the author wanted to express Orgon's confusing and frustration. When I read the passage in my head, I read Orgon's voice in a yelling tone because he seems so angry due to the name calling and exclamation marks after the name calling.
This specific part in the entire reading seems to be the climax of the story because the rising action all leads up to this very moment when Orgon see's Tartuffe's true side.
The author made it clear on what our understanding should be on the characters. Every character had something bad to say about Tartuffe, meaning every character did not like this man except: Orgon and Madame Pernelle. They were the only two that were so blind to Tartuffe's characteristics. This moment in the text is like no other in the story because Orgon finally comes to an agreement that Tartuffe is a terrible man. Throughout the entire story, Orgon was defending and trying to protect Tartuffe, so he disagreed and got upset with anyone who talked down upon Tartuffe.
The most exciting thing this passage does is emphasize the true anger behind Orgon. It brings much tension and feelings to the reader (well to me at least) and it really captured my attention. I felt really engaged with the text. For example, this scene perfectly illustrates Orgon's new hatred feelings towards Tartuffe:
Orgon
"No more words from you.
Get out of here, you. . . . You and I are through."
Tartuffe
"But my intentions . . ."
Orgon
You shut your mouth and leave this house at once!"
The language and structure link to the larger theme of the text by building up on the anticipation on when, what, and how Orgon was going to find out about Tartuffe. It led up to that very moment due to the language that was used throughout the story.
Moliere, Jean-Baptiste. “Tartuffe.” The Norton Anthology World Literature, Third ed., D, W. W. Norton &
Company, 2012, pp. 144–197.
I enjoyed reading your post about Tartuffe. I liked reading this play, it has twists and deceitfulness, and it's interesting how each character plays their role to develop the story. When I read Orgon yelling at Tartuffe, I also read it as Orgon yelling at him; I would probably do the same thing, if I were in Orgon's shoes. How do you think their body language would be during this heated moment? Would Orgon be in Tartuffe's face? Would they push and shove each other and end up fighting? Part of me wishes Moliere got more in depth with their body language, as maybe it would add a little more to the story. I definitely agree that this is the climax of the story - what has been building up to this moment - when Orgon finally see's his true colors. I also thought the part in the story when Orgon is asking how things have been at their home; they tell him how everyone was doing, including his "sick wife," but every time, he only asks about how Tartuffe is doing. Throughout the whole story (up to the climax), Orgon has done nothing but defend Tartuffe - despite everyone else telling him how deceitful he can be. Do you think Tartuffe would be ashamed or sad that he let Orgon down?
ReplyDeleteHi Alissa! I love how you elaborated on Orgon's feelings in the story and I agree that it brought tension to the story. It is funny that after all this time of defending Tartuffe, this one evidence made him hate Tartuffe within seconds. It is very agreeable that his words of hate towards Tartuffe really express his confusion, frustration, anger and feelings of betrayal he had in that moment and throughout the rest of the story. Great job and keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteAlissa,
ReplyDeleteYou did an awesome job with this close reading assignment on Tartuffe. This was also my favorite scene from the story because it was a major turning point in the plot and the beginning of the end for Tartuffe. I read this story like you did and could just imagine Orgon yelling angrily at Tartuffe after he caught him. I was so happy that this scumbag was finally caught and the truth came before Orgon. I wonder though how the plot would have continued if Orgon never caught Tartuffe going after Orgon’s wife. Do you think they would have been able to get away with having the affair? How do you think the relationship between Orgon’s daughter and Tartuffe would have been if they were to go through with getting married? Overall I think you did an excellent job breaking down this section of the story and you made it clear how important this event was to the plot.
-Patrick