The Way of the World: complete summary

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Act 1

The play starts in a chocolate house. Mirabell and Fainall are playing cards and talking. Mirabell loves Millamant and wants to marry her. But Millamant’s aunt, Lady Wishfort, controls half of her money and doesn’t like Mirabell. Earlier, Mirabell had pretended to be in love with Lady Wishfort to stay close to Millamant, but she found out and now hates him. Mirabell’s plan is to trick Lady Wishfort. He arranges a secret marriage between his servant Waitwell and Lady Wishfort’s maid Foible to help with his plan. Other characters like Witwoud and Petulant are introduced. They try to act smart and fashionable but are actually foolish.

Act 2

In St. James’s Park, Mrs. Fainall and Mrs. Marwood talk about men. They pretend to hate all men, but in truth, they both love someone. Mrs. Marwood secretly loves Mirabell but is jealous because he loves Millamant. Mrs. Fainall is Mirabell’s former lover and still supports him. She helps him plan a way to win Millamant with Lady Wishfort’s approval. Mirabell’s plan is getting ready, but new problems are about to come.

Act 3

Lady Wishfort is excited because she thinks a rich man, Sir Rowland, wants to marry her. But Sir Rowland is actually Mirabell’s servant Waitwell in disguise. This is part of Mirabell’s trick to make Lady Wishfort agree to his marriage with Millamant. Meanwhile, Mirabell and Millamant have a funny and clever conversation. They talk about how they will treat each other after marriage. Millamant says she will marry Mirabell only if her aunt approves. This shows that Millamant is smart and wants freedom even after marriage.

Act 4

Mrs. Marwood finds out about Mirabell’s plan and tells everything to Fainall. Fainall is angry and wants revenge. He is having a secret affair with Mrs. Marwood. Fainall decides to blackmail Lady Wishfort. He tells her about Mirabell’s past with Mrs. Fainall and threatens to ruin the family’s name unless she gives him control over all her money and property. Lady Wishfort is shocked and scared. The plan seems to be falling apart.

Act 5

Mirabell saves the day. He brings proof that Mrs. Fainall had already given her property to him before marrying Fainall. This means Fainall cannot get anything. Lady Wishfort sees the truth. She forgives Mirabell and agrees to let him marry Millamant. Fainall and Mrs. Marwood are defeated and their evil plans fail. The play ends happily with Mirabell and Millamant’s marriage.


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