Marivaux's The Colony Scene V: A Reflection on Marriage

Extract

[...] On the other hand, in the replies of Madame Sorbin and Arthénice, the refers to women, excluding men." Therefore, we observe a conflict around the notions of love and servitude: while Lina thinks that her love for Persinet can coexist with submission, her two interlocutors completely reject this notion: "submissive, can this come out of a woman's mouth?" This antithesis between these two notions demonstrates the complexity of romantic relationships when they are faced with social norms and the rejection of traditions." To conclude, this scene denounces the institutions of the society of the time through a conflict between the young Lina, embodying the conception of an idealized romantic love, and the two older women who are seeking independence and liberation. This confrontation between two conceptions of marriage allows a denunciation of the institution of marriage, due to the submission it imposes on the woman in the face of her husband. This confrontation is at the heart of the plot and the message of this Marivaux comedy, and foreshadows the feminist struggles to come. [...]

[...] Thus, to what extent does this dialogue set up a reflection on the institution of marriage? We will begin by demonstrating that this scene is built around a confrontation between two camps, then we will look at how these two camps embody two opposing conceptions of marriage. Firstly, this scene shows the confrontation of two camps: Madame Sorbin and Arthénice, two older and more experienced women, and Lina, younger and less aware of the problems denounced through the dialogue. This opposition is evident through the use of the lexical field of confrontation and debate: we note a repetition of negations and the word as well as orders based on defense such as forbid you love" or "Let me not hear you again". [...]

[...] The Colony, Scene V - Marivaux (1750) - To what extent does the dialogue set up a reflection on the institution of marriage? This text is the Scene V of The Colony by Marivaux, a comedy published in 1750. This play tells us how a group of men and women, refugees on an island, learn to organize and recreate a society. Confronted with the establishment of a government by men, in which women are not given any decision-making power, Arthénice and Madame Sorbin decide to form their own constitution. [...]

[...] While Lina is guided by her feelings for Persinet, as shown by the repetition of the terms "love" and "amour" in her replies, Madame Sorbin and Arthénice have a much more prosaic and even disillusioned view of marriage. They qualify marriage as "pure servitude that we abolish", and the terms "submission" and "submissive" are repeated throughout the dialogue." Lina, in love with Persinet, speaks using the pronoun to evoke an understanding, a sharing within the couple: "we will always want the same thing; we have agreed between us". The binary structure of this reply highlights this ideal of perfect balance. Lina conveys a certain romantic ideal of communion within the couple, and voluntary submission. [...]