In Molière’s play Tartuffe, the female role is represented in two ways. Mariane was the representation of the delicate, reserved, and powerless women. On the other hand, Dorine and Elmire are the opposite of Mariane, they are courageous, clever and powerful. While Mariane’s characteristics make her submissive to men, the personalities of Dorine and Elmire puts them on the same level as men. Although they do not have power over men, they have the ability to argue back and keep themselves from becoming inferior to men. Dorine can be seen as one of the reasons why Orgon was able to redeem himself from his foolishness. She also saves Mariane from marrying Tartuffe. Elmire is also the opposite of Mariane because she is cunning and able to deceive Tartuffe. Elmire is not the image of a pure and reserved women. She takes charges when she realizes that her husband was being tricked. She also plays a large role in saving Orgon, because she is able to trick Tartuffe into revealing his true self. In the end, the powerful and deceitful Tartuffe falls prey to a woman.
Mariane represented society’s image of an acceptable women, while Dorine and Elmire represented the rebellious nature of women as they move away from the typically powerless and weak image. In today’s society, both representation of the female role still exists. In a more modernized country, like the United States, women are more like Dorine and Elmire. As society changes, more women fight for their rights and justice. However, in some countries women are still submissive towards men. This inferiority towards men is evident in the Middle Eastern, as there have been many conflicts on the rights of women. Women are treated as men’s property and have no human rights. As a women myself, I hope to see more women fight back like Dorine and Elmire. Instead of the “knight in shining armor coming to save the damsel in distress,” I hope more women will become like Dorine and Elmire who are the ones saving the men, and not being saved by men.
– Amy Wang
In traditional Chinese culture, women are supposed to be submissive to men, and are weak and powerless like Marianne. In modern China, although beliefs are very different and many more women can make their own decisions, many families, especially the elder generation still believe that women need to fulfill the “Three obediences and Four virtues.” Sometimes women in modern society are expected even more because they need to be successful in their careers as well as their jobs in the house.