Teaching Ignorance: L'Ecole des Femmes

Abstract

I'm rich enough, I think, to have felt free To have my wife owe everything to me. From her dependency has come submission; She cannot flaunt her wealth or her position.... In a small convent, undisturbed by man, I had her raised according to my plan, Which was to have them try as best they could To keep her ignorant and therefore good. Thank God, the outcome answered my intent, And now she has grown up so innocent That I bless Heaven for having been so kind As to give me just the wife I had in mind. '