Monologue

Charteris Monologue from The Philanderer

From The Philanderer by Bernard Shaw

male · defiant · 1:36 min

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You don't see the point yet, Julia. You seem to forget that in reserving your freedom to leave me in case I should turn out badly, you also reserved my freedom to leave you in case you should turn out badly. (JULIA: Very ingenious. And pray, have I become a drunkard, or a criminal, or an imbecile?) You have become what is infinitely worse than all three together--a jealous termagant. (JULIA: Yes, abuse me--call me names.) I now assert the right I reserved--the right of breaking with you when I please. Advanced views, Julia, involve advanced duties: you cannot be an advanced woman when you want to bring a man to your feet, and a conventional woman when you want to hold him there against his will. Advanced people form charming friendships: conventional people marry. Marriage suits a good deal of people; and its first duty is fidelity. Friendship suits some people; and its first duty is unhesitating, uncomplaining acceptance of a notice of a change of feeling from either side. You chose friendship instead of marriage. Now do your duty, and accept your notice.

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30s · determination · love · freedom · identity · betrayal

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