The Constant Wife

'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.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.