Virtue of a Woman

The text describes Enlightenment as "a man's release from his self-incurred tutelage." (Norton, pg 105)  In the character of Elmire, the Enlightenment idea of release is evident when she did not allow herself to be caught up in the seductive words of Tartuffe.  "Have courage to use your own reason." (Norton, pg 105)  In other words, have he confidence and dignity to release yourself from another man's direction.  I think Elmire showed courage, dignity, and confidence in different ways.  She was her own woman in a home that seemed to be in chains by the power of a religious hypocrite, Tartuffe, and the blindness of her husband Orgon. 
 Elmire showed that she could be a good wife and mother in a culture of submission and direction from others.  She wasn't disobedient, dishonorable, or unloving, she just seemed to humor the idea of being a martyr.  However, she wasn't unhappy because she had control in her life.  I feel she loved Orgon and his children and did what she felt was best for the family instead of what was right in the eyes of the social world at that time.  Elmire was a woman of virtue.  "In a benign world of comedy, the play reminds its readers of the extreme precariousness with which reason finally triumphs." (Norton, pg 143)  Elmire's character represents reason in such a way that she figures out how to reason with Tartuffe about the marriage Orgon had proposed.  While doing this, Tartuffe tells Elmire his thoughts about how he feels about her.  In return, Elmire stays collective and neutral and uses this to her advantage without letting the temptation prevail. 
 "One learns to spurn without being unkind, and how to spare a husbands peace of mind.  Although I understood just what he meant my honor wasn't touched by this event." (Norton, pg 175)  Someone might interpret that quote in a different way, however, I believe at this time in the play Elmire was being sincere in what she was doing and had great intentions for allowing it to go on.  Later in the play when Orgon's eyes are opened to the cad and foolish ways of Tartuffe, I feel that the reasoning  behind Elmire's actions were true and honest.  
I will finish this blog with the following quote because I feel it fits the virtue of Elmire.
"The ultimate measure of a person is not where they stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where they stand at times of challenge and controversy." (Author Unknown)