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The Rape of the Lock

 

There is less emphasis of women as commodities in Congreve's "The Way of the World-, however there is a subtle indications of such values. Virginity is a highly valued commodity in both works of fiction. Pope explicitly states this. Here Pope directly likens a woman's virginity if broken as being similar to a "some frail china jar receive[s] a flaw- (3.106). Reputation is another commodity "Or stain her honor, or her new brocade- ( 3.107). Virginity is indirectly stated as a commodity by the actions of the character. Mrs. Fainall married the despicable Mr. Fainall for one sole reason: she mistakenly believed to be with Mirabell's child thus Mirabell had her married off to his friend Fainall. Despite that fact that Mrs. Fainall was in love with Mirabell there was no doubt in her mind that Mirabell could not or would not marry her because she was damaged good; a man did not marry his mistress. This is an ingrained value in all of the characters. Mrs. Fainall despite the fact that she is still in love with Mirabell she aids him in getting his virginal bride Millamant. Only a virginal girl is a suitable bride for the protagonist of the play. Fainall himself coldly echoes the same sentiments by uttering his sentiments: "the coldness of a losing gamester lessens the pleasure of the winner. I'd no more play with a man that slighted his ill fortune than I'd make love to a woman who undervalued the loss of her reputation- (Congreve, pg. 2219). However this standard is not applied to men; despite Mirabell's numerous love affairs his worth has not been diminished. Despite the acts of women being viewed as commodities, women in Congreve's world do hold considerable influence in the upper class world.
             Millamant is the virginal beautiful prize that is the object of dispute in "The Way of The World-. There is much conflict over her marriage prospects. Certain virtues make her a valuable object: her wit, her beauty, and her virginity.


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