The Would-Be Gentleman

by Olfson, Lewy

MADAME JOURDAIN: MADAME JOURDAIN: Monsieur Jourdain, my husband, you’re a fool! Dressing up as though you’re on your way to a fancy ball! Hiring language teachers, and dancing teachers, and fencing teachers, and music teachers! The next thing I know, you’ll be paying somebody to teach you to breathe! And all because you think you can turn yourself into an aristocrat. Why don’t you face the fact that you’re a merchant, always have been a merchant, and always will be? You, a gentleman? Ha!

The Would-Be Gentleman, by Moliere, adapted by Lewy Olfson © This play is reprinted from Plays, The Drama Magazine for Young People with the permission of the publisher Plays/Sterling Partners Inc. 897 Washington Street #600160, Newton, MA 02460

Question
Use the passage to answer the question.

What is Madame Jourdain’s tone in this passage?

(1 point)
Responses

desperate
desperate

somber
somber

fatigued
fatigued

mocking

1 answer

Madame Jourdain’s tone in this passage is best described as mocking. She is ridiculing her husband for trying to change his identity and adopt the airs of an aristocrat, pointing out the absurdity of his efforts.