By Anthony Trollope
Introduction
“The Way We Live Now” by Anthony Trollope is a satirical novel published in 1875, offering a scathing critique of Victorian society’s moral and financial corruption. Trollope’s keen observation and wit bring to life a tale of ambition, greed, and social upheaval. 📖🎩
Plot Summary
“The Way We Live Now” revolves around the manipulative financier Augustus Melmotte, who arrives in London with grand schemes to establish himself in high society. His daughter, Marie, becomes a pawn in his ambitious plans, while various characters vie for social status and financial gain. The exposition introduces Melmotte’s arrival and the intrigue surrounding him. The rising action unfolds as characters navigate deceit, betrayal, and romantic entanglements. The climax erupts during a lavish ball hosted by Melmotte, exposing his financial fraud and leading to his downfall. The falling action deals with the aftermath of Melmotte’s disgrace, and the resolution offers a reflection on the consequences for each character. 💼💔
Character Analysis
| Character | Personality, Motivations, Development |
|---|---|
| Augustus Melmotte | Manipulative, charismatic, morally bankrupt; driven by a desire for social acceptance and financial power. |
| Marie Melmotte | Naive, sheltered, conflicted; torn between loyalty to her father and desire for true love. |
| Sir Felix Carbury | Reckless, opportunistic, selfish; pursues wealth and status through dubious means. |
| Lady Carbury | Ambitious, manipulative, superficially charming; seeks literary success and advantageous marriages for her children. |
| Roger Carbury | Honourable, steadfast, principled; struggles with unrequited love and familial duty. |
| Hetta Carbury | Idealistic, compassionate, torn; caught between love and social expectations. |
Themes and Symbols
Themes and Symbols
Themes: Corruption, greed, social ambition, moral decay
Symbols: Money (corruption, power), the city of London (opportunity, deception), the dinner party (social facade, hypocrisy)
These elements underscore Trollope’s critique of Victorian society, highlighting the moral compromises individuals make in pursuit of success and status. 💰🏛️
Style and Tone
- Satire: Sharp, biting critique of societal norms and hypocrisy
- Narrative Voice: Omniscient, offering insights into characters’ thoughts and motivations
- Tone: Irony-laden, observing the absurdity of human ambitions
- Dialogue: Witty, reflective of Victorian social manners
These stylistic choices enhance the novel’s satirical edge, exposing the contradictions and pretensions of Victorian England.
Literary Devices used in The Way We Live Now
Literary Devices used in The Way We Live Now
Literary Devices Examples
Irony
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Augustus Melmotte’s rise and fall | Dramatic irony highlights the contrast between Melmotte’s public image of wealth and his underlying financial fraud. |
| Lady Carbury’s pursuit of literary fame | Irony underscores the disconnection between Lady Carbury’s superficial charm and her lack of genuine literary talent. |
| Sir Felix Carbury’s reckless gambling | Irony exposes the consequences of Sir Felix’s pursuit of wealth through gambling, despite his lack of financial prudence. |
Satire
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Portrayal of high society’s hypocrisy | Satire critiques the upper class’s obsession with appearances and social status, often at the expense of moral integrity. |
| Political satire in Melmotte’s ambitions | Trollope satirizes political maneuvering and corruption through Melmotte’s fraudulent schemes to gain parliamentary influence. |
| Religious satire in characters’ moral compromises | Satire highlights characters’ hypocritical religious beliefs and moral compromises in pursuit of personal gain. |
Foreshadowing
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Early hints of Melmotte’s financial fraud | Foreshadowing builds suspense as subtle clues suggest Melmotte’s dubious financial schemes will eventually be exposed. |
| Foreshadowing of romantic entanglements | Clues throughout the narrative hint at the romantic entanglements and betrayals that will unfold among the characters. |
| Roger Carbury’s unrequited love | Foreshadowing establishes the inevitability of Roger’s unrequited love for Hetta, influencing his actions and decisions throughout the novel. |
FAQs
The Way We Live Now – FAQs
Q: What social issues does “The Way We Live Now” address?
A: Trollope critiques Victorian society’s moral decay, financial corruption, and obsession with social status, reflecting on human frailties and societal hypocrisy.
Q: How does Trollope use irony in “The Way We Live Now”?
A: Irony exposes the disparity between appearances and reality, revealing characters’ moral failings and the consequences of their actions.
Quiz
| Question | Options | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Who is the manipulative financier in “The Way We Live Now”? | A) Roger Carbury B) Augustus Melmotte C) Sir Felix Carbury D) Lady Carbury | B) Augustus Melmotte |
| What literary device does Trollope primarily use to critique Victorian society? | A) Irony B) Metaphor C) Allegory D) Simile | A) Irony |
| What symbolizes corruption and power in the novel? | A) Money B) Love C) Hope D) Friendship | A) Money |
Exercise
Spot the literary devices used in this paragraph from “The Way We Live Now”:
“He was fatter than ever, and slower in his gait, but otherwise he was as well preserved as a man may be at sixty. He had never been particular about his coats and trousers, but he was now less particular than ever.”
Answers
- Simile: “as well preserved as a man may be at sixty”
- Parallelism: “He was fatter than ever, and slower in his gait”
- Irony: “He had never been particular about his coats and trousers, but he was now less particular than ever.”