Question

The Admirable Crichton
From Act II: The Island
The butler Crichton and his employer Lady Mary are among the survivors of a ship wrecked on a desert island. By this time most of the bamboo has been cut, and the shore and sea are visible, except where they are hidden by the half completed hut. The mast rising solitary from the water adds to the desolation of the scene, and at last tears run down LADY MARY’S face.

1
LADY MARY. But it is all so awful. Crichton, is there any hope of a ship coming?

2
CRICHTON (after hesitation). Of course there is, my lady.

3
LADY MARY (facing him bravely). Don’t treat me as a child. I have got to know the worst, and to face it. Crichton, the truth.

4
CRICHTON (reluctantly). We were driven out of our course, my lady; I fear far from the track of commerce.

5
LADY MARY. Thank you; I understand.

6
(For a moment, however, she breaks down. Then she clenches her hands and stands erect.)

7
CRICHTON (watching her, and forgetting perhaps for the moment that they are not just a man and woman). You’re a good pluckt ’un, my lady.

8
LADY MARY (falling into the same error). I shall try to be. (Extricating herself.) Crichton, how dare you?

9
CRICHTON. I beg your ladyship’s pardon; but you are. (She smiles, as if it were a comfort to be told this even by CRICHTON.) And until a ship comes we are three men who are going to do our best for you ladies.

10
LADY MARY (with a curl of the lip). Mr. Ernest does no work.

11
CRICHTON (cheerily). But he will, my lady.

12
LADY MARY. I doubt it.

13
CRICHTON (confidently, but perhaps thoughtlessly). No work—no dinner—will make a great change in Mr. Ernest.

14
LADY MARY. No work—no dinner. When did you invent that rule, Crichton?

15
CRICHTON (loaded with bamboo). I didn’t invent it, my lady. I seem to see it growing all over the island.

16
LADY MARY (disquieted). Crichton, your manner strikes me as curious.

17
CRICHTON (pained). I hope not, your ladyship.

18
LADY MARY (determined to have it out with him). You are not implying anything so unnatural, I presume, as that if I and my sisters don’t work there will be no dinner for us?

19
CRICHTON (brightly). If it is unnatural, my lady, that is the end of it.

20
LADY MARY. If? Now I understand. The perfect servant at home holds that we are all equal now. I see.

21
CRICHTON (wounded to the quick). My lady, can you think me so inconsistent?

22
LADY MARY. That is it.

23
CRICHTON (earnestly). My lady, I disbelieved in equality at home because it was against nature, and for that same reason I as utterly disbelieve in it on an island.

24
LADY MARY (relieved by his obvious sincerity). I apologise.

25
CRICHTON (continuing unfortunately). There must always, my lady, be one to command and others to obey.

26
LADY MARY (satisfied). One to command, others to obey. Yes. (Then suddenly she realises that there may be a dire meaning in his confident words.)

Excerpt from The Admirable Crichton by J. M. Barrie. In the public domain.

Multiple Select Question
Which two choices best describe the impact that the repetition of "lady" and "ladyship" has on the meaning and tone of the play?

A.
It reinforces the societal lines between the butler and employer.

B.
It creates a mysterious tone.

C.
It shows how the characters truly feel about each other.

D.
It establishes Crichton as someone who is passionately dedicated to his job.

E.
It suggests a formal tone.

Answer 1

A and E.

The repeated use of "lady" and "ladyship" emphasizes the social/class divide between butler and employer (A) and creates a consistently formal, deferential tone in their speech (E).