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The Constant Wife: A Comedy in Three Acts
Hardcover
ISBN13: 9781025567914
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 108
Weight: 0.73
Height: 0.31 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
The Constant Wife is a sophisticated comedy of manners by the celebrated playwright W. Somerset Maugham. Set in the upper-middle-class circles of 1920s London, the play explores the intricacies of modern marriage and the double standards inherent in traditional gender roles. The story centers on Constance Middleton, the intelligent and poised wife of a successful surgeon. When she discovers her husband is having an affair with her close friend, Constance defies societal expectations by choosing a path of pragmatism and economic independence rather than conventional outrage.
Through sharp wit and ironic humor, Maugham examines the shift from romantic idealism to a business-like arrangement in long-term relationships. The work is a sparkling satire on fidelity, highlighting the importance of financial freedom for women in the early twentieth century. This three-act comedy remains a quintessential example of Maugham's keen observation of human nature and social structures, offering a timeless perspective on the complexities of love, loyalty, and the pursuit of individual agency within the confines of marriage.
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