The Pretentious Young Ladies

Name: The Pretentious Young Ladies
Author: Molière

By Molière

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French Literature Humour Plays/Films/Dramas

About This Book

This one-act comedy satirizes a fashion for affected language and refined pose by following two provincial young women who adopt pretentious manners and spurn sincere admirers. A comic ruse introduces impostors who mimic exaggerated elegance to flatter those affectations, thereby exposing the emptiness of borrowed phrases and ostentatious taste. The action moves quickly through witty exchanges and farcical situations that contrast natural speech with artificial mannerisms, culminating in the revelation of the deception and the public humiliation of the pretensions.

About the Author

Molière

Molière, born Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, was a seminal French playwright and actor of the 17th century, renowned for his sharp wit and keen observations of human behavior. He is celebrated for his contributions to the genre of comedy, often blending humor with social critique. His notable works include "Tartuffe," a scathing satire on hypocrisy and religious pretense, and "The Misanthrope," which explores themes of honesty and social norms. Molière's plays are characterized by their clever dialogue, memorable characters, and enduring relevance, solidifying his place as a cornerstone of Western literature.