Tartuffe by Moliere - Annotated Bibliography Example

Annotated Bibliography: Moliere’s Tartuffe Chill, Emanuel S. “Tartuffe, Religion, and Courtly Culture.” French Historical Studies 3. 2(1963): 151-183. ProQuest. Web. 30 Mar. 2014. Emanuel Chill’s article explores the religious and political pressure that resulted in the changes in Tartuffe following its censorship and questions the impact of these transformations on the characters. The article suggests that the changes perpetrated, including eliminating religious characters, may have resulted in the wise and reasonable Cleante. Besides, the author also addresses the pressure and opposition that followed the publication of the play and identified specific groups that fought Moliere and his works. He finds a connection between the issues the play portrays and the reality in the French society that motivates such an opposition: “Tartuffe was based on a family situation-complete with cuckold, clerical intruder and scolding mother-in-law” (168). The portrayal of these realties met the opposition of religious and political figures who did not wish these problems to be displayed in public. Chill’s article presents relevant data that can be helpful for a research paper on Tartuffe. The quality and intensity of the research conducted attest to the credibility of both the author and the source. The article is well written and contains valuable information about the historical background of the period, much data about the opposing groups, as well as critical analysis of the play. Chill presents readers with the historical contexts of 17th century France in order to help grasp the significance of the censorship of Tartuffe and the reasons behind it. He finds a solid connection between the realities of the period and the events Moliere portrays; which explains the frustration of the church that did not want these issues to be exposed in public. These frustrations led to the condemnation of the play and the criticism about the author. Cholakian, Patricia Francis. “The Itinerary of Desire in Molieres "Le Tartuffe" Theatre Journal 38. 2 (1986): 164-179. ProQuest. Web. 30 Mar. 2014. Patricia Cholakian’s article pinpoints how Tartuffe symbolizes the representation of the unmasking of the imposture. The author also addresses the authoritative oppression of Madame Pernelle that reinforces the imposture and supports him while verbally offending the other members of the household. Madame Pernelle represents more the patriarchal monarchy than any female voice. The author refers to her as follows: “Mme Pernelle represents the terrible mother of infantile fantasy who inspired in Freuds patients the fear of being eaten alive or killed by the mother” (168). This portrayal of Mme Pernelle reflects the reality of the 17th century when women would condone patriarchal domination and even help implement it. Cholakian foregrounds Elmire’s docility and Mariane’ passivity as they let the old woman treat them badly without any response. The only woman in the play that confronts Mme Pernelle is Dorine, the servant, who often challenges her authority. Cholakian’s article deals with the portrayal of the female characters in the play and analyzes their attitudes. The article characterizes Mme Pernelle as a phallic character or rather an imitation of a man that represents the patriarchal monarchy and its subjugation of women. The article successfully contrasts Mme Pernelle’s authority to Elmire and Mariane’s passivity and to Dorine’s sense of reason. As the voice of wisdom in the play, Dorine though a servant helps the other women perceive their bondage through sarcasm and irony. She indirectly urges Mariane to rebel against her father and refuse to marry Tartuffe. The article is wonderfully written, well documented and will be useful for a research paper on Tartuffe. The psychological approach the author adopts makes the article more relevant and easy to comprehend, and the references to Freud, Derrida and other scholars reveal that the author is very knowledgeable. Mills, James. “A Memorable Imposter.” Insights: A Study Guide to the Utah Shakespeare Festival : Tartuffe. 1993. 7-11. ProQuest. Web. 30 Mar. 2014. James Mills’ article addresses the church’s condemnation of Tartuffe or the Imposter even though the play received the approval of the King. The church disapproves of the portrayal of “distorted faith” “blind obedience,” and feared that the play may have “bad effects on society” (8). This censorship demonstrates the power of the church but also its concern about religious matters being displayed in public. The article exposes the sensitivity of religion in the 17th century, a period that marked serious religious tensions between opposing groups. These problems also indicate the relationship between the church and politics: “Religion and politics were inextricably bound together, with the way to temporal power being ecclesiastical” (9). Despite these religious and political tensions, Moliere succeeded in portraying these moral, social and religious issues that affected the society during that period. Mills’ article is succinct but well researched, meaningful and mainly focuses on the social, political and religious upheaval that preceded the publication of Tartuffe and ultimately caused its censorship. Mills presents a credible historical background of the period that gives substance to the issues Moliere portrays in the play. He clearly indicates that the character of Tartuffe does not come out of a vacuum but constitutes a faithful representation of the French society of the 17th century. The perception of these historical events is very significant to the understanding of the play and its different characters. The article proposes a thorough analysis of the character of Orgon that embodies religious devotion in a period during which religion played a fundamental role in the society. Mills successfully explains the roots of Orgon’s abnegation that makes him vulnerable to Tartuffe’s hypocrisy. The article will be very helpful to any research paper about Tartuffe. Partikian, David. "Critical Essay on Tartuffe." Drama for Students. Ed. David A. Galens. Vol. 18. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Literature Resource Center. Web. 30 Mar.2014. David Partikian’s article considers Moliere’s Tartuffe as the possible representation of the French monarchy through the Orgon family. Even though the play is originally meant to satirize religious hypocrisy, the organization of Orgon’s family reflects the principles of the monarchy in which the head is viewed as a tyrant who puts aside the interest of his people and follows blindly the directives of the church. Partikian regrets the censorship of the earlier versions and the public deprivation of their contents because of the church’s influence over the King. He proposes a hint of the change in the play: “The most obvious change involves a toning down of the character of Tartuffe in order to make him less priestly.” The author draws attention to the church’s refusal to have a priest portrayed as an imposture and ordered it to be changed to a regular character: “The Tartuffe who has survived is clearly a flawed man taking advantage of religion to further his material aims, not a legitimate member of the clergy who is a representative of God.” This intrusion of the church into mundane affairs reveals their sensitivity about the issue. Partikian’ s reading of the play is very significant because it focuses more on the representation of the French monarchy than on the religious pretense. His analysis that Orgon constitutes the embodiment of the monarchy and his devotion for Tartuffe and neglect of his family symbolize the influence the church has on the monarch is very meaningful. This reading of the play gives a different perspective that foregrounds the relationships between political and religious affairs and how the church influences the King. The article presents a relevant insight that provides the reader with different interpretations of the play that allow him/her to better comprehend Tartuffe. It will be very useful for a research paper. Scranton, George A. “Love and Lovers: Mutuality, Sin, Grace and the Future in Molieres Vision of Comedy.” The Journal of Religion and Theatre 3.1 (2004): 161-191. ProQuest. Web. 30 Mar. 2014. George Scranton’s article presents a theoretical introduction of Moliere’s vision of comedy that seeks to eliminate the imbalance in the society and, therefore, restore order. Thus, the purpose of this comedy is to fight the evil and chaos in communities and establish a well-balanced society. The article exposes Orgon’s decision to marry Mariane to Tartuffe as an imbalance because she would be more suited for Valere, her fiancé. Such irregularities constitute violations that need to be addressed for the stability of the society. Therefore, the unfolding of the play provides such an opportunity of balance because the guilty has been punished and the repentant has been redeemed: “The evil irritant Tartuffe is expelled from society and the fructification of nature is assured by the marriages of Valere to Mariane and Damis to Valeres sister, and the reinstatement of a mutually loving relationship between Orgon and Elmire” (174). This restoration of order is necessary for the stability of the society and the well-being of all. Scranton is a professor at the Seattle Pacific University, and his theory about Moliere’s vision of comedy is well grounded. This vision of comedy is very meaningful as it seeks to fight against the evil and disorder in the society that threaten its stability. The article relies on scholarly publications that present outstanding research and documentation because it explores different readings of comedy from various experts and compare and contrast their meaning. The organization and structure of the article make it very easy to read and understand. The content and scope of the research render it suitable for any research paper about Moliere, especially Tartuffe. This restoration of order at the end of the play gives Orgon the opportunity to reunite his distort family, recuperate his belongings, and become head of his own household again. Taibi, Julian. “Orgon’s Obsession in Moliere’s Tartuffe: Infatuation versus Reason.” Viewpoints (2010): 13-20. ProQuest. Web. 30 March, 2014. This article foregrounds the blind obsession Orgon has for the false devout, Tartuffe compared to the power of reason of Cleante and Dorine. Orgon believes so much in Tartuffe’s false pretense that he completely ignores his family and, instead, wants to hear everything about his guest. The author demonstrates that Orgon’s blind devotion seriously affects his reason because he refuses to see any flaws from Tartuffe and accuses those trying to open his eyes as the miscreants: “Orgon believes that Tartuffe is a saint because he flaunts his humbleness around the church while publicly performing minor tasks in church” (14). Indeed, Orgon’s obsession with Tartuffe reaches its climax when he disinherits his son, Damis, and kicks him out of the house for attempting to reveal the hypocrite nature of Tartuffe. Orgon goes even farther as to arrange a marriage between Tartuffe and her daughter, Mariane, and refuses to believe his guest’s sexual advances to his own wife. He had to see the scene before he could believe the guilt of his guest: “Tartuffe’s hypocrisy must be fully exposed in order for Orgon to work his way out from under the table” (15). This proves his stubbornness and blind devotion that prevented him from perceiving Tartuffe’s hypocrisy. Julian Tabi’s article is well written and successfully highlights the contrast between Orgon’s Obsession and stubbornness to Cleante and Dorine’s rationality. He manages to foreground how Orgon’s faith and devotion for Tartuffe affect his decision making that almost cost him his freedom, his property and even his family. The article will be significant to any research project on Tartuffe because it provides a deep insight of Orgon’s weakness but also Tartuffe’s cunning. The article also presents the perspectives of the other characters and how they participate in the unfolding of the play. Woshinsky, Barbara R. “Is the Ending to your Taste? Dissonant Dénouements and Audience Reception in Molière’s Tartuffe.” PFSCL 37.72 (2010): 25. 33. ProQuest. Web. 30 Mar. 2014. Barbara Woshinsky places Tartuffe’s denouements in the context of classical dramatic theory and structure. She presents Tartuffe’s ending as a surprise because of the events that happened at the end. Indeed, having revealed Orgon’s secret to the King, Tartuffe was happily expecting to see Orgon go to jail. However, the turn of events that occurred at the end reversed the actions as Orgon was freed while Tartuffe was sentenced to jail. The ending is indeed surprising to many readers who did not expect it: “If the controversy over the play’s religious content has long been calmed, its dissonant ending still arouses the ire of some readers” (29). The author assimilates the ending with divine justice as the King, instead, of punishing Orgon for his involvement with members of the Fronde pardoned him. This unexpected turn of events makes Tartuffe’s ending very unusual and hard to perceive. Woshinsky’s article mainly focuses on Tartuffe’ ending and presents different perspectives of the meaning of such ending and the various interrogations it generates. Woshinsky labels the ending as dissonant because of the role changes that may create some confusion and even misunderstanding for distracted readers who may miss the point. Despite this dissonance, the article is very informative and introduces different techniques for a successful ending. However, the extensive use of French in the quotations may be a challenge to readers who may not speak French. The article is very informative and constitutes a useful resource for a research paper. Even though it is succinct, the ideas developed throughout the paper are very relevant and well structured. Read More