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The Learned Ladies Plot Analysis

The document provides an analysis of Molière's play "The Learned Ladies". It summarizes that the play satirizes social standards of gender, class, and education in 17th century France. Specifically, it critiques the lack of female education at the time but also argues for discerning useful knowledge versus useless information. The analysis then summarizes the plot, which focuses on a family where the daughters have become "learned ladies" through education, causing strife in the household. It notes the themes of the play around education and power as well as practical versus theoretical knowledge are still relevant today.

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670 views2 pages

The Learned Ladies Plot Analysis

The document provides an analysis of Molière's play "The Learned Ladies". It summarizes that the play satirizes social standards of gender, class, and education in 17th century France. Specifically, it critiques the lack of female education at the time but also argues for discerning useful knowledge versus useless information. The analysis then summarizes the plot, which focuses on a family where the daughters have become "learned ladies" through education, causing strife in the household. It notes the themes of the play around education and power as well as practical versus theoretical knowledge are still relevant today.

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© © All Rights Reserved
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Joella Cordell

Professor Laurel Peterson


September 7, 2016
The Learned Ladies Plot Analysis
In the play Les Femmes Savantes [The Learned Ladies] by Molire, social standards of
gender, class and education are turned on their heads and viewed through the eyes of a satirical
judge with a comedic flair. The play was meant to be a statement about female education (or lack
thereof) and the importance that wealth and class hold in society during the time in which
Molire premiered this piece of work: March 11, 1672. Although The Learned Ladies is a satire
with ridiculous characters and circumstances lining the plot, it still pushes forward important
messages about not only educating women but discerning the different between helpful
knowledge and useless drivel, that makes it relevant to all members of a modern audience,
regardless of age or background.
The play takes place in France during approximately 1672 within the upper echelons of
French aristocracy. The story focuses on the family of Chrysale and Philamente and the trifles of
their youngest daughter Henriette and her lover, Clitandre. Within this family, we as readers, are
allowed to see the havoc that available education has caused within the four walls of their
household when Henriette states that not only does she not want the pleasure of becoming a
"learned lady" but that she would also like to marry the man of her choosing (regardless of
education) and have his children. This statement begins a snowball effect that results in a battle
of wit and gender between spouses, siblings, and even poets. In the end, fate intervenes and ends
up settling the over-winded argument of who Henriette should marry.

The thing I found most fascinating about this piece is its timeless nature. The language is
archaic and the predictability of some of the side characters might not make much sense to those
who are not familiar with stock characters, but the general themes and moods of the show are not
lost. In this world that Molire created, the educated have the upper hand, therefore meaning the
women. The men are left to dribble behind while the ladies make decisions and come to
conclusions. However, due to the unnecessary frivolous nature of their knowledge the most
"learned" individuals end up simply talking themselves in circles. The theme of education
equaling power is still relevant today as is the notion of practical knowledge verses book
knowledge- what is more important? Through silly, overdramatic characters, Molire was able to
not only cause the audience to erupt in laughter but also plant seeds within their minds about
important social issues. The fact that The Learned Ladies is still managing to accomplish these
tasks in 2016, only goes to prove that Molire did achieve his goal for writing such a piece.

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