Monologue

Paula Monologue from The Second Mrs. Tanqueray

From The Second Mrs. Tanqueray by Arthur Wing Pinero

female · anguished · 1:28 min

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Yes; I must tell you---- (DRUMMLE.: Perhaps you'd better not.) Look here. I've intercepted some letters from Mrs. Cortelyon and Ellean to--him. (Producing three unopened letters from the bodice of her dress.) There are the accursed things! From Paris--two from the Cortelyon woman, the other from Ellean! (DRUMMLE.: But why--why?) I don't know. Yes, I do! I saw letters coming from Ellean to her father; not a line to me--not a line. And one morning it happened I was downstairs before he was, and I spied this one lying with his heap on the breakfast-table, and I slipped it into my pocket--out of malice, Cayley, pure devilry! And a day or two afterwards I met Elwes the postman at the Lodge, and took the letters from him, and found these others amongst 'em. I felt simply fiendish when I saw them--fiendish! (Returning the letters to her bodice.) And now I carry them about with me, and they're scorching me like a mustard plaster!

About this piece

Paula expresses her feelings of betrayal and jealousy after discovering letters addressed to another woman, revealing her inner turmoil and sense of isolation.

30s · anger · betrayal · jealousy · isolation · identity

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