Mrs. Oakley Analysis

At the Oakly house Mrs. Oakly discovers a letter that Oakly was supposed to receive. Oakly denies the adultery Mrs. Oakly accuses Oakly of. The letter suggests that Oakly’s nephew, Charles, and Henry Russet’s daughter, Harriot, eloped. Charles and Major Oakly arrive, Oakly warning Charles that there will be consequences of his actions as Charles denies the claims of elopement with Harriot and demands to see the letter kept by Mrs. Oakly. Oakly confesses to Charles and Major Oakly that he is under a very tight rope with Mrs. Oakly, while Major Oakly claims never being manipulated/controlled by a woman. Oakly in response explains to Major, that is why Major remains a bachelor. Major instigates that Oakly does whatever Oakly wants for one month to reform Mrs. Oakly. Charles admits that Harriet ran off to avoid a marriage with Sir Harry Beagle, someone Harriet does not want to marry. Charles feels guilt about his behavior at a country party. Harriet would have joined Charles at the party, had he not acted like such a fool. Charles claims Harriet has went to Lady Freelove’s, with much certainty. The Major advises Charles about Lady Freelove’s character, stating that Freelove has often

Lady Freelove tells Trinket to free Russet and Sir Harry, stating that the plan to get them out of the way and to make off with Harriet was Oakly’s. Lady Freelove will go to the Oakly house, where Russet will certainly go once he has been released, and will convince Russet that Harriet should marry Trinket. But, if Harriet and Charles are married, she will change sides and will offer Harriet her congratulations. V,ii: Mrs. Oakly asks Oakly’s French valet, Mr. Paris, about her husband’s whereabouts. Mr. Paris can’t answer her questions. The other servants can’t answer any of her questions either. Mrs. Oakly says that if he returns she will ignore him for three days, throwing a rage-filled temper