The Witlings

The Witlings is a play by Fanny Burney. The play showcased societal views through comedy and satire, exposing false characters as well as the painful truth about a society devoted to superficial means. Using a love story between Cecilia and Beaufort, Burney showcases the different characters through their dialogue and actions rather than what the characters say they are.

Act 1:

The opening to the play takes place in a Milliner’s shop where the audience is introduced to a variety of characters. The owner of the shop, workers, and a few guests and clients. As the workers are rushed to work on a few items, a few clients come in and out with concerns on late items. During this time, Mr. Beaufort and Censor walk into the shop. Right away the audience is notified that the Milliner is a public place but really is meant for women. Which is also the reason why Censor is so uncomfortable accompanying Mr. Beaufort in the Milliner’s shop. They are waiting for Miss Stanley, Beaufort’s soon to be wife. Meanwhile, Mrs. Voluble talks everyone’s head off and Mrs. Sapient also comes in which adds more to Censor’s dreadful impression of the place. Throughout Act 1, the audience gets a good understanding of who the characters are as well as their characteristics and backstory. Towards the end of the act Jack reveals that he was to inform Mr. Beaufort that Miss Stanley was no longer going to meet him and right away Mr. Beaufort and Censor are annoyed with Jack’s lack of focus. The act ends with Mrs. Voluble’s son asking for his mother for dinner and being shooed off by Mrs. Voluble. A few key characters are Mrs. Wheedle, Mr. Beaufort, Censor, Mrs. Voluble, Mrs. Sapient, and Jack.

Act 2:

Act 2 begins with a conversation between Miss Stanley (Cecilia), and Lady Smatter, Mr. Beaufort’s Aunt in a drawing room of Lady Smatter’s. Their conversations consist of Mr. Dabler’s literary works as well as their knowledge of literature in general. The audience starts to understand each other’s point of what use is their knowledge and their purpose for involving themselves in these topics. Other characters that walk into the scene are Mr. Codger, Beaufort, Mr. Dabler, and Mrs. Sapient. Beaufort walks in to the scene first and addresses the ladies and speaks of Jack’s lack of communication in a timely manner. Then Mr. Codger enters and Lady Smatter asks him about friends from the north and Mr.Codger tries to tell a story but takes too long to do so and keeps getting interrupted. Mr. Dabler then enters and Lady Smatter starts to praise his work and at first he seems concerned but then feels at ease talking and sharing his works to Miss Smatter. Mr. Codger questions his work but doesn’t really want to read his work. Mrs. Sapient talks just to talk and isn’t really being listened to. Then Jack comes with news for Cecilia. Jack tells her that she has news for her but will tell her later in private. Everyone insists that he just tell the news and so finally he announces that Cecilia has gone broke.

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