Question

The Would-Be Gentleman
by Olfson, Lewy

JOURDAIN: Does the aristocracy study music?

MUSIC MASTER: But of course, monsieur.

DANCING MASTER: Almost as avidly as they study dancing.

JOURDAIN: Then I will study music and dancing as well! But I don’t know where I’ll find the time. I’ve already a fencing master, and a speech teacher, and now I’ve taken on a teacher of philosophy.

1 of 4
Question
Use the passage to answer the question.

What theme of the play is developed by the details in this passage?

(1 point)
Responses

Music and dancing are more important than philosophy.
Music and dancing are more important than philosophy.

Vanity can lead to others taking advantage of you.
Vanity can lead to others taking advantage of you.

Learning does not always take place in a classroom.
Learning does not always take place in a classroom.

A quality education is worth all the money it may require.

Answer 1

The theme of the play that is developed by the details in this passage is:

**Vanity can lead to others taking advantage of you.**

In this excerpt, Jourdain expresses his desire to study music, dancing, fencing, speech, and philosophy, driven by his vanity and aspiration to appear aristocratic. This pursuit of appearing elite and cultured can suggest that he may be overly concerned with appearances, potentially making him vulnerable to being taken advantage of by those around him.