EPISTLEDEDICATORYTOARTHURBINGHAMWALKLEY
　　MydearWalkley：
　　YouonceaskedmewhyIdidnotwriteaDonJuanplay。Thelevitywithwhichyouassumedthisfrightfulresponsibilityhasprobablybythistimeenabledyoutoforgetit；butthedayofreckoninghasarrived：hereisyourplay！Isayyourplay，becausequifacitperaliumfacitperse。Itsprofits，likeitslabor，belongtome：itsmorals，itsmanners，itsphilosophy，itsinfluenceontheyoung，areforyoutojustify。Youwereofmatureagewhenyoumadethesuggestion；andyouknewyourman。Itishardlyfifteenyearssince，astwinpioneersoftheNewJournalismofthattime，wetwo，cradledinthesamenewsheets，madeanepochinthecriticismofthetheatreandtheoperahousebymakingitapretextforapropagandaofourownviewsoflife。Soyoucannotpleadignoranceofthecharacteroftheforceyousetinmotion。Yonmeantmetoepaterlebourgeois；andifheprotests，Iherebyreferhimtoyouastheaccountableparty。
　　Iwarnyouthatifyouattempttorepudiateyourresponsibility，Ishallsuspectyouoffindingtheplaytoodecorousforyourtaste。Thefifteenyearshavemademeolderandgraver。InyouI
　　candetectnosuchbecomingchange。YourlevitiesandaudacitiesarelikethelovesandcomfortsprayedforbyDesdemona：theyincrease，evenasyourdaysdogrow。Nomerepioneeringjournaldaresmeddlewiththemnow：thestatelyTimesitselfisalonesufficientlyabovesuspiciontoactasyourchaperone；andeventheTimesmustsometimesthankitsstarsthatnewplaysarenotproducedeveryday，sinceaftereachsucheventitsgravityiscompromised，itsplatitudeturnedtoepigram，itsportentousnesstowit，itsproprietytoelegance，andevenitsdecorumintonaughtinessbycriticismswhichthetraditionsofthepaperdonotallowyoutosignattheend，butwhichyoutakecaretosignwiththemostextravagantflourishesbetweenthelines。IamnotsurethatthisisnotaportentofRevolution。IneighteenthcenturyFrancetheendwasathandwhenmenboughttheEncyclopediaandfoundDiderotthere。WhenIbuytheTimesandfindyouthere，mypropheticearcatchesarattleoftwentiethcenturytumbrils。
　　However，thatisnotmypresentanxiety。Thequestionis，willyounotbedisappointedwithaDonJuanplayinwhichnotoneofthathero’smilleetreadventuresisbroughtuponthestage？Topropitiateyou，letmeexplainmyself。YouwillretortthatI
　　neverdoanythingelse：itisyourfavoritejibeatmethatwhatIcalldramaisnothingbutexplanation。Butyoumustnotexpectmetoadoptyourinexplicable，fantastic，petulant，fastidiousways：youmusttakemeasIam，areasonable，patient，consistent，apologetic，laboriousperson，withthetemperamentofaschoolmasterandthepursuitsofavestryman。NodoubtthatliteraryknackofminewhichhappenstoamusetheBritishpublicdistractsattentionfrommycharacter；butthecharacteristherenonetheless，solidasbricks。Ihaveaconscience；andconscienceisalwaysanxiouslyexplanatory。You，onthecontrary，feelthatamanwhodiscusseshisconscienceismuchlikeawomanwhodiscusseshermodesty。Theonlymoralforceyoucondescendtoparadeistheforceofyourwit：theonlydemandyoumakeinpublicisthedemandofyourartistictemperamentforsymmetry，elegance，style，grace，refinement，andthecleanlinesswhichcomesnexttogodlinessifnotbeforeit。Butmyconscienceisthegenuinepulpitarticle：itannoysmetoseepeoplecomfortablewhentheyoughttobeuncomfortable；andIinsistonmakingthemthinkinordertobringthemtoconvictionofsin。Ifyoudon’tlikemypreachingyoumustlumpit。Ireallycannothelpit。
　　IntheprefacetomyPlaysforPuritansIexplainedthepredicamentofourcontemporaryEnglishdrama，forcedtodealalmostexclusivelywithcasesofsexualattraction，andyetforbiddentoexhibittheincidentsofthatattractionoreventodiscussitsnature。YoursuggestionthatIshouldwriteaDonJuanplaywasvirtuallyachallengetometotreatthissubjectmyselfdramatically。Thechallengewasdifficultenoughtobeworthaccepting，because，whenyoucometothinkofit，thoughwehaveplentyofdramaswithheroesandheroineswhoareinloveandmustaccordinglymarryorperishattheendoftheplay，oraboutpeoplewhoserelationswithoneanotherhavebeencomplicatedbythemarriagelaws，nottomentiontheloosersortofplayswhichtradeonthetraditionthatillicitloveaffairsareatonceviciousanddelightful，wehavenomodernEnglishplaysinwhichthenaturalattractionofthesexesforoneanotherismadethemainspringoftheaction。Thatiswhyweinsistonbeautyinourperformers，differinghereinfromthecountriesourfriendWilliamArcherholdsupasexamplesofseriousnesstoourchildishtheatres。TheretheJulietsandIsoldes，theRomeosandTristans，mightbeourmothersandfathers。NotsotheEnglishactress。Theheroinesheimpersonatesisnotallowedtodiscusstheelementalrelationsofmenandwomen：allherromantictwaddleaboutnovelet—madelove，allherpurelylegaldilemmasastowhethershewasmarriedor"betrayed，"quitemissourheartsandworryourminds。Toconsoleourselveswemustjustlookather。Wedoso；andherbeautyfeedsourstarvingemotions。Sometimeswegrumbleungallantlyattheladybecauseshedoesnotactaswellasshelooks。Butinadramawhich，withallitspreoccupationwithsex，isreallyvoidofsexualinterest，goodlooksaremoredesiredthanhistrionicskill。
　　Letmepressthispointonyou，sinceyouaretooclevertoraisethefool’scryofparadoxwheneverItakeholdofastickbytherightinsteadofthewrongend。Whyareouroccasionalattemptstodealwiththesexproblemonthestagesorepulsiveanddrearythateventhosewhoaremostdeterminedthatsexquestionsshallbeheldopenandtheirdiscussionkeptfree，cannotpretendtorelishthesejoylessattemptsatsocialsanitation？Isitnotbecauseatbottomtheyareutterlysexless？Whatistheusualformulaforsuchplays？Awomanhas，onsomepastoccasion，beenbroughtintoconflictwiththelawwhichregulatestherelationsofthesexes。Aman，byfallinginlovewithher，ormarryingher，isbroughtintoconflictwiththesocialconventionwhichdiscountenancesthewoman。Nowtheconflictsofindividualswithlawandconventioncanbedramatizedlikeallotherhumanconflicts；buttheyarepurelyjudicial；andthefactthatwearemuchmorecuriousaboutthesuppressedrelationsbetweenthemanandthewomanthanabouttherelationsbetweenbothandourcourtsoflawandprivatejuriesofmatrons，producesthatsensationofevasion，ofdissatisfaction，offundamentalirrelevance，ofshallowness，ofuselessdisagreeableness，oftotalfailuretoedifyandpartialfailuretointerest，whichisasfamiliartoyouinthetheatresasitwastomewhenI，too，frequentedthoseuncomfortablebuildings，andfoundourpopularplaywrightsinthemindto（astheythought）emulateIbsen。
　　ItakeitthatwhenyouaskedmeforaDonJuanplayyoudidnotwantthatsortofthing。Nobodydoes：thesuccessessuchplayssometimesobtainareduetotheincidentalconventionalmelodramawithwhichtheexperiencedpopularauthorinstinctivelysaveshimselffromfailure。Butwhatdidyouwant？Owingtoyourunfortunatehabit——younow，Ihope，feelitsinconvenience——ofnotexplainingyourself，Ihavehadtodiscoverthisformyself。
　　First，then，Ihavehadtoaskmyself，whatisaDonJuan？
　　Vulgarly，alibertine。Butyourdislikeofvulgarityispushedtothelengthofadefect（universalityofcharacterisimpossiblewithoutashareofvulgarity）；andevenifyoucouldacquirethetaste，youwouldfindyourselfoverfedfromordinarysourceswithouttroublingme。SoItookitthatyoudemandedaDonJuaninthephilosophicsense。
　　Philosophically，DonJuanisamanwho，thoughgiftedenoughtobeexceptionallycapableofdistinguishingbetweengoodandevil，followshisowninstinctswithoutregardtothecommonstatute，orcanonlaw；andtherefore，whilstgainingtheardentsympathyofourrebelliousinstincts（whichareflatteredbythebrilliancieswithwhichDonJuanassociatesthem）findshimselfinmortalconflictwithexistinginstitutions，anddefendshimselfbyfraudandfarceasunscrupulouslyasafarmerdefendshiscropsbythesamemeansagainstvermin。TheprototypicDonJuan，inventedearlyintheXVIcenturybyaSpanishmonk，waspresented，accordingtotheideasofthattime，astheenemyofGod，theapproachofwhosevengeanceisfeltthroughoutthedrama，growinginmenacefromminutetominute。NoanxietyiscausedonDonJuan’saccountbyanyminorantagonist：heeasilyeludesthepolice，temporalandspiritual；andwhenanindignantfatherseeksprivateredresswiththesword，DonJuankillshimwithoutaneffort。NotuntiltheslainfatherreturnsfromheavenastheagentofGod，intheformofhisownstatue，doesheprevailagainsthisslayerandcasthimintohell。Themoralisamonkishone：repentandreformnow；forto—morrowitmaybetoolate。ThisisreallytheonlypointonwhichDonJuanissceptical；forheisadevoutbelieverinanultimatehell，andrisksdamnationonlybecause，asheisyoung，itseemssofaroffthatrepentancecanbepostponeduntilhehasamusedhimselftohisheart’scontent。
　　Butthelessonintendedbyanauthorishardlyeverthelessontheworldchoosestolearnfromhisbook。WhatattractsandimpressesusinElBurladordeSevillaisnottheimmediateurgencyofrepentance，buttheheroismofdaringtobetheenemyofGod。FromPrometheustomyownDevil’sDisciple，suchenemieshavealwaysbeenpopular。DonJuanbecamesuchapetthattheworldcouldnotbearhisdamnation。ItreconciledhimsentimentallytoGodinasecondversion，andclamoredforhiscanonizationforawholecentury，thustreatinghimasEnglishjournalismhastreatedthatcomicfoeofthegods，Punch。
　　Moliere’sDonJuancastsbacktotheoriginalinpointofimpenitence；butinpietyhefallsoffgreatly。True，healsoproposestorepent；butinwhatterms？"Oui，mafoi！ilfauts’amender。Encorevingtoutrenteansdecettevie—ci，etpuisnoussongeronsanous。"AfterMolierecomestheartist—enchanter，themasterofmasters，Mozart，whorevealsthehero’sspiritinmagicalharmonies，elfintones，andelatedartingrhythmsasofsummerlightningmadeaudible。Hereyouhavefreedominloveandinmoralitymockingexquisitelyatslaverytothem，andinterestingyou，attractingyou，temptingyou，inexplicablyforcingyoutorangetheherowithhisenemythestatueonatranscendantplane，leavingtheprudishdaughterandherpriggishloveronacrockeryshelfbelowtolivepiouslyeverafter。
　　AfterthesecompletedworksByron’sfragmentdoesnotcountformuchphilosophically。Ourvagabondlibertinesarenomoreinterestingfromthatpointofviewthanthesailorwhohasawifeineveryport，andByron’sherois，afterall，onlyavagabondlibertine。Andheisdumb：hedoesnotdiscusshimselfwithaSganarelle—Leporelloorwiththefathersorbrothersofhismistresses：hedoesnoteven，likeCasanova，tellhisownstory。InfactheisnotatrueDonJuanatall；forheisnomoreanenemyofGodthananyromanticandadventurousyoungsowerofwildoats。HadyouandIbeeninhisplaceathisage，whoknowswhetherwemightnothavedoneashedid，unlessindeedyourfastidiousnesshadsavedyoufromtheempressCatherine。ByronwasaslittleofaphilosopherasPetertheGreat：bothwereinstancesofthatrareanduseful，butunedifyingvariation，anenergeticgeniusbornwithouttheprejudicesorsuperstitionsofhiscontemporaries。TheresultantunscrupulousfreedomofthoughtmadeByronagreaterpoetthanWordsworthjustasitmadePeteragreaterkingthanGeorgeIII；
　　butasitwas，afterall，onlyanegativequalification，itdidnotpreventPeterfrombeinganappallingblackguardandanarrantpoltroon，nordiditenableByrontobecomeareligiousforcelikeShelley。Letus，then，leaveByron’sDonJuanoutofaccount。Mozart’sisthelastofthetrueDonJuans；forbythetimehewasofage，hiscousinFausthad，inthehandsofGoethe，takenhisplaceandcarriedbothhiswarfareandhisreconciliationwiththegodsfarbeyondmerelovemakingintopolitics，highart，schemesforreclaimingnewcontinentsfromtheocean，andrecognitionofaneternalwomanlyprincipleintheuniverse。Goethe’sFaustandMozart’sDonJuanwerethelastwordsoftheXVIIIcenturyonthesubject；andbythetimethepolitecriticsoftheXIXcentury，ignoringWilliamBlakeassuperficiallyastheXVIIIhadignoredHogarthortheXVII
　　Bunyan，hadgotpasttheDickens—MacaulayDumas—GuizotstageandtheStendhal—Meredith—Turgenieffstage，andwereconfrontedwithphilosophicfictionbysuchpensasIbsen’sandTolstoy’s，DonJuanhadchangedhissexandbecomeDonaJuana，breakingoutoftheDoll’sHouseandassertingherselfasanindividualinsteadofamereiteminamoralpageant。
　　NowitisallverywellforyouatthebeginningoftheXX
　　centurytoaskmeforaDonJuanplay；butyouwillseefromtheforegoingsurveythatDonJuanisafullcenturyoutofdateforyouandforme；andiftherearemillionsoflessliteratepeoplewhoarestillintheeighteenthcentury，havetheynotMoliereandMozart，uponwhoseartnohumanhandcanimprove？YouwouldlaughatmeifatthistimeofdayIdealtinduelsandghostsand"womanly"women。Astomerelibertinism，youwouldbethefirsttoremindmethattheFestindePierreofMoliereisnotaplayforamorists，andthatonebarofthevoluptuoussentimentalityofGounodorBizetwouldappearasalicentiousstainonthescoreofDonGiovanni。EventhemoreabstractpartsoftheDonJuanplayaredilapidatedpastuse：forinstance，DonJuan’ssupernaturalantagonisthurledthosewhorefusetorepentintolakesofburningbrimstone，theretobetormentedbydevilswithhornsandtails。Ofthatantagonist，andofthatconceptionofrepentance，howmuchisleftthatcouldbeusedinaplaybymededicatedtoyou？Ontheotherhand，thoseforcesofmiddleclasspublicopinionwhichhardlyexistedforaSpanishnoblemaninthedaysofthefirstDonJuan，arenowtriumphanteverywhere。
　　Civilizedsocietyisonehugebourgeoisie：nonoblemandaresnowshockhisgreengrocer。Thewomen，"marchesane，principesse，cameriere，cittadine"andall，arebecomeequallydangerous：thesexisaggressive，powerful：whenwomenarewrongedtheydonotgroupthemselvespatheticallytosing"Proteggailgiustocielo"：theygraspformidablelegalandsocialweapons，andretaliate。Politicalpartiesarewreckedandpubliccareersundonebyasingleindiscretion。AmanhadbetterhaveallthestatuesinLondontosupperwithhim，uglyastheyare，thanbebroughttothebaroftheNonconformistConsciencebyDonnaElvira。ExcommunicationhasbecomealmostasseriousabusinessasitwasintheXcentury。
　　Asaresult，Manisnolonger，likeDonJuan，victorintheduelofsex。Whetherhehaseverreallybeenmaybedoubted：atalleventstheenormoussuperiorityofWoman’snaturalpositioninthismatteristellingwithgreaterandgreaterforce。AstopullingtheNonconformistConsciencebythebeardasDonJuanpluckedthebeardoftheCommandant’sstatueintheconventofSanFrancisco，thatisoutofthequestionnowadays：prudenceandgoodmannersalikeforbidittoaherowithanymind。Besides，itisDonJuan’sownbeardthatisindangerofplucking。Farfromrelapsingintohypocrisy，asSganarellefeared，hehasunexpectedlydiscoveredamoralinhisimmorality。Thegrowingrecognitionofhisnewpointofviewisheapingresponsibilityonhim。HisformerjestshehashadtotakeasseriouslyasIhavehadtotakesomeofthejestsofMrW。S。Gilbert。Hisscepticism，oncehisleasttoleratedquality，hasnowtriumphedsocompletelythathecannolongerasserthimselfbywittynegations，andmust，tosavehimselffromcipherdom，findanaffirmativeposition。Histhousandandthreeaffairsofgallantry，afterbecoming，atmost，twoimmatureintriguesleadingtosordidandprolongedcomplicationsandhumiliations，havebeendiscardedaltogetherasunworthyofhisphilosophicdignityandcompromisingtohisnewlyacknowledgedpositionasthefounderofaschool。InsteadofpretendingtoreadOvidhedoesactuallyreadSchopenhaurandNietzsche，studiesWestermarck，andisconcernedforthefutureoftheraceinsteadofforthefreedomofhisowninstincts。Thushisprofligacyandhisdare—devilairshavegonethewayofhisswordandmandolineintotheragshopofanachronismsandsuperstitions。Infact，heisnowmoreHamletthanDonJuan；forthoughthelinesputintotheactor’smouthtoindicatetothepitthatHamletisaphilosopherareforthemostpartmereharmoniousplatitudewhich，withalittledebasementoftheword—music，wouldbeproperertoPecksniff，yetifyouseparatetherealhero，inarticulateandunintelligibletohimselfexceptinflashesofinspiration，fromtheperformerwhohastotalkatanycostthroughfiveacts；andifyoualsodowhatyoumustalwaysdoinShakespear’stragedies：thatis，dissectouttheabsurdsensationalincidentsandphysicalviolencesoftheborrowedstoryfromthegenuineShakespeariantissue，youwillgetatruePrometheanfoeofthegods，whoseinstinctiveattitudetowardswomenmuchresemblesthattowhichDonJuanisnowdriven。FromthispointofviewHamletwasadevelopedDonJuanwhomShakespearpalmedoffasareputablemanjustashepalmedpoorMacbethoffasamurderer。To—daythepalmingoffisnolongernecessary（atleastonyourplaneandmine）becauseDonJuanismisnolongermisunderstoodasmereCasanovism。DonJuanhimselfisalmostasceticinhisdesiretoavoidthatmisunderstanding；
　　andsomyattempttobringhimuptodatebylaunchinghimasamodernEnglishmanintoamodernEnglishenvironmenthasproducedafiguresuperficiallyquiteunliketheheroofMozart。
　　AndyetIhavenotthehearttodisappointyouwhollyofanotherglimpseoftheMozartiandissolutopunitoandhisantagonistthestatue。Ifeelsureyouwouldliketoknowmoreofthatstatue——
　　todrawhimoutwhenheisoffduty，sotospeak。Togratifyyou，IhaveresortedtothetrickofthestrollingtheatricalmanagerwhoadvertizesthepantomimeofSinbadtheSailorwithastockofsecond—handpicturepostersdesignedforAliBaba。Hesimplythrustsafewoiljarsintothevalleyofdiamonds，andsofulfilsthepromiseheldoutbythehoardingstothepubliceye。
　　Ihaveadaptedthissimpledevicetoouroccasionbythrustingintomyperfectlymodernthree—actplayatotallyextraneousactinwhichmyhero，enchantedbytheairoftheSierra，hasadreaminwhichhisMozartianancestorappearsandphilosophizesatgreatlengthinaShavio—Socraticdialoguewiththelady，thestatue，andthedevil。
　　Butthispleasantryisnottheessenceoftheplay。OverthisessenceIhavenocontrol。Youpropoundacertainsocialsubstance，sexualattractiontowit，fordramaticdistillation；
　　andIdistilitforyou。Idonotadulteratetheproductwithaphrodisiacsnordiluteitwithromanceandwater；forIammerelyexecutingyourcommission，notproducingapopularplayforthemarket。Youmusttherefore（unless，likemostwisemen，youreadtheplayfirstandtheprefaceafterwards）prepareyourselftofaceatrumperystoryofmodernLondonlife，alifeinwhich，asyouknow，theordinaryman’smainbusinessistogetmeanstokeepupthepositionandhabitsofagentleman，andtheordinarywoman’sbusinessistogetmarried。In9，999casesoutof10，000，youcancountontheirdoingnothing，whethernobleorbase，thatconflictswiththeseends；andthatassuranceiswhatyourelyonastheirreligion，theirmorality，theirprinciples，theirpatriotism，theirreputation，theirhonorandsoforth。
　　Onthewhole，thisisasensibleandsatisfactoryfoundationforsociety。Moneymeansnourishmentandmarriagemeanschildren；andthatmenshouldputnourishmentfirstandwomenchildrenfirstis，broadlyspeaking，thelawofNatureandnotthedictateofpersonalambition。Thesecretoftheprosaicman’ssuccess，suchasitis，isthesimplicitywithwhichhepursuestheseends：thesecretoftheartisticman’sfailure，suchasthatis，istheversatilitywithwhichhestraysinalldirectionsaftersecondaryideals。Theartistiseitherapoetorascallawag：aspoet，hecannotsee，astheprosaicmandoes，thatchivalryisatbottomonlyromanticsuicide：asscallawag，hecannotseethatitdoesnotpaytospungeandbegandlieandbragandneglecthisperson。ThereforedonotmisunderstandmyplainstatementofthefundamentalconstitutionofLondonsocietyasanIrishman’sreproachtoyournation。FromthedayIfirstsetfootonthisforeignsoilIknewthevalueoftheprosaicqualitiesofwhichIrishmenteachEnglishmentobeashamedaswellasIknewthevanityofthepoeticqualitiesofwhichEnglishmenteachIrishmentobeproud。FortheIrishmaninstinctivelydisparagesthequalitywhichmakestheEnglishmandangeroustohim；andtheEnglishmaninstinctivelyflattersthefaultthatmakestheIrishmanharmlessandamusingtohim。WhatiswrongwiththeprosaicEnglishmaniswhatiswrongwiththeprosaicmenofallcountries：stupidity。Thevitalitywhichplacesnourishmentandchildrenfirst，heavenandhellasomewhatremotesecond，andthehealthofsocietyasanorganicwholenowhere，maymuddlesuccessfullythroughthecomparativelytribalstagesofgregariousness；butinnineteenthcenturynationsandtwentiethcenturyempiresthedeterminationofeverymantoberichatallcosts，andofeverywomantobemarriedatallcosts，must，withoutahighlyscientificsocialorganization，producearuinousdevelopmentofpoverty，celibacy，prostitution，infantmortality，adultdegeneracy，andeverythingthatwisemenmostdread。Inshort，thereisnofutureformen，howeverbrimmingwithcrudevitality，whoareneitherintelligentnorpoliticallyeducatedenoughtobeSocialists。Sodonotmisunderstandmeintheotherdirectioneither：ifIappreciatethevitalqualitiesoftheEnglishmanasIappreciatethevitalqualitiesofthebee，IdonotguaranteetheEnglishmanagainstbeing，likethebee（ortheCanaanite）smokedoutandunloadedofhishoneybybeingsinferiortohimselfinsimpleacquisitiveness，combativeness，andfecundity，butsuperiortohiminimaginationandcunning。
　　TheDonJuanplay，however，istodealwithsexualattraction，andnotwithnutrition，andtodealwithitinasocietyinwhichtheseriousbusinessofsexisleftbymentowomen，astheseriousbusinessofnutritionisleftbywomentomen。Thatthemen，toprotectthemselvesagainstatooaggressiveprosecutionofthewomen’sbusiness，havesetupafeebleromanticconventionthattheinitiativeinsexbusinessmustalwayscomefromtheman，istrue；butthepretenceissoshallowthateveninthetheatre，thatlastsanctuaryofunreality，itimposesonlyontheinexperienced。InShakespear’splaysthewomanalwaystakestheinitiative。Inhisproblemplaysandhispopularplaysaliketheloveinterestistheinterestofseeingthewomanhuntthemandown。Shemaydoitbyblandishment，likeRosalind，orbystratagem，likeMariana；butineverycasetherelationbetweenthewomanandthemanisthesame：sheisthepursuerandcontriver，hethepursuedanddisposedof。Whensheisbaffled，likeOphelia，shegoesmadandcommitssuicide；andthemangoesstraightfromherfuneraltoafencingmatch。NodoubtNature，withveryyoungcreatures，maysavethewomanthetroubleofscheming：ProsperoknowsthathehasonlytothrowFerdinandandMirandatogetherandtheywillmatelikeapairofdoves；andthereisnoneedforPerditatocaptureFlorizelastheladydoctorinAll’sWellThatEndsWell（anearlyIbseniteheroine）
　　capturesBertram。ButthematurecasesallillustratetheShakespearianlaw。Theoneapparentexception，Petruchio，isnotarealone：heismostcarefullycharacterizedasapurelycommercialmatrimonialadventurer。OnceheisassuredthatKatharinehasmoney，heundertakestomarryherbeforehehasseenher。InreallifewefindnotonlyPetruchios，butMantalinisandDobbinswhopursuewomenwithappealstotheirpityorjealousyorvanity，orclingtotheminaromanticallyinfatuatedway。Sucheffeminatesdonotcountintheworldscheme：evenBunsbydroppinglikeafascinatedbirdintothejawsofMrsMacStingerisbycomparisonatruetragicobjectofpityandterror。IfindinmyownplaysthatWoman，projectingherselfdramaticallybymyhands（aprocessoverwhichIassureyouI
　　havenomorerealcontrolthanIhaveovermywife），behavesjustasWomandidintheplaysofShakespear。
　　AndsoyourDonJuanhascometobirthasastageprojectionofthetragi—comiclovechaseofthemanbythewoman；andmyDonJuanisthequarryinsteadofthehuntsman。YetheisatrueDonJuan，withasenseofrealitythatdisablesconvention，defyingtothelastthefatewhichfinallyovertakeshim。Thewoman’sneedofhimtoenablehertocarryonNature’smosturgentwork，doesnotprevailagainsthimuntilhisresistancegathersherenergytoaclimaxatwhichshedarestothrowawayhercustomaryexploitationsoftheconventionalaffectionateanddutifulposes，andclaimhimbynaturalrightforapurposethatfartranscendstheirmortalpersonalpurposes。
　　AmongthefriendstowhomIhavereadthisplayinmanuscriptaresomeofourownsexwhoareshockedatthe"unscrupulousness，"
　　meaningthetotaldisregardofmasculinefastidiousness，withwhichthewomanpursuesherpurpose。Itdoesnotoccurtothemthatifwomenwereasfastidiousasmen，morallyorphysically，therewouldbeanendoftherace。Isthereanythingmeanerthentothrownecessaryworkuponotherpeopleandthendisparageitasunworthyandindelicate。WelaughatthehaughtyAmericannationbecauseitmakesthenegrocleanitsbootsandthenprovesthemoralandphysicalinferiorityofthenegrobythefactthatheisashoeblack；butweourselvesthrowthewholedrudgeryofcreationononesex，andthenimplythatnofemaleofanywomanlinessordelicacywouldinitiateanyeffortinthatdirection。Therearenolimitstomalehypocrisyinthismatter。
　　Nodoubttherearemomentswhenman’ssexualimmunitiesaremadeacutelyhumiliatingtohim。Whentheterriblemomentofbirtharrives，itssupremeimportanceanditssuperhumaneffortandperil，inwhichthefatherhasnopart，dwarfhimintothemeanestinsignificance：heslinksoutofthewayofthehumblestpetticoat，happyifhebepoorenoughtobepushedoutofthehousetooutfacehisignominybydrunkenrejoicings。Butwhenthecrisisisoverhetakeshisrevenge，swaggeringasthebreadwinner，andspeakingofWoman’s"sphere"withcondescension，evenwithchivalry，asifthekitchenandthenurserywerelessimportantthantheofficeinthecity。Whenhisswaggerisexhaustedhedrivelsintoeroticpoetryorsentimentaluxoriousness；andtheTennysonianKingArthurposingasGuineverebecomesDonQuixotegrovellingbeforeDulcinea。YoumustadmitthathereNaturebeatsComedyoutofthefield：thewildesthoministorfeministfarceisinsipidafterthemostcommonplace"sliceoflife。"Thepretencethatwomendonottaketheinitiativeispartofthefarce。Why，thewholeworldisstrewnwithsnares，traps，ginsandpitfallsforthecaptureofmenbywomen。Givewomenthevote，andinfiveyearstherewillbeacrushingtaxonbachelors。Men，ontheotherhand，attachpenaltiestomarriage，deprivingwomenofproperty，ofthefranchise，ofthefreeuseoftheirlimbs，ofthatancientsymbolofimmortality，therighttomakeoneselfathomeinthehouseofGodbytakingoffthehat，ofeverythingthathecanforceWomantodispensewithwithoutcompellinghimselftodispensewithher。
　　Allinvain。Womanmustmarrybecausetheracemustperishwithouthertravail：iftheriskofdeathandthecertaintyofpain，dangerandunutterablediscomfortscannotdeterher，slaveryandswaddledankleswillnot。Andyetweassumethattheforcethatcarrieswomenthroughalltheseperilsandhardships，stopsabashedbeforetheprimnessesofourbehaviorforyoungladies。Itisassumedthatthewomanmustwait，motionless，untilsheiswooed。Nay，sheoftendoeswaitmotionless。Thatishowthespiderwaitsforthefly。Butthespiderspinsherweb。Andifthefly，likemyhero，showsastrengththatpromisestoextricatehim，howswiftlydoessheabandonherpretenceofpassiveness，andopenlyflingcoilaftercoilabouthimuntilheissecuredforever！
　　Ifthereallyimpressivebooksandotherart—worksoftheworldwereproducedbyordinarymen，theywouldexpressmorefearofwomen’spursuitthanloveoftheirillusorybeauty。Butordinarymencannotproducereallyimpressiveart—works。Thosewhocanaremenofgenius：thatis，menselectedbyNaturetocarryontheworkofbuildingupanintellectualconsciousnessofherowninstinctivepurpose。Accordingly，weobserveinthemanofgeniusalltheunscrupulousnessandallthe"self—sacrifice"（thetwothingsarethesame）ofWoman。Hewillriskthestakeandthecross；starve，whennecessary，inagarretallhislife；studywomenandliveontheirworkandcareasDarwinstudiedwormsandliveduponsheep；workhisnervesintoragswithoutpayment，asublimealtruistinhisdisregardofhimself，anatrociousegotistinhisdisregardofothers。HereWomanmeetsapurposeasimpersonal，asirresistibleasherown；andtheclashissometimestragic。Whenitiscomplicatedbythegeniusbeingawoman，thenthegameisoneforakingofcritics：yourGeorgeSandbecomesamothertogainexperienceforthenovelistandtodevelopher，andgobblesupmenofgenius，Chopins，Mussetsandthelike，asmerehorsd’oeuvres。
　　Istatetheextremecase，ofcourse；butwhatistrueofthegreatmanwhoincarnatesthephilosophicconsciousnessofLifeandthewomanwhoincarnatesitsfecundity，istrueinsomedegreeofallgeniusesandallwomen。Henceitisthattheworld’sbooksgetwritten，itspicturespainted，itsstatuesmodelled，itssymphoniescomposed，bypeoplewhoarefreeoftheotherwiseuniversaldominionofthetyrannyofsex。Whichleadsustotheconclusion，astonishingtothevulgar，thatart，insteadofbeingbeforeallthingstheexpressionofthenormalsexualsituation，isreallytheonlydepartmentinwhichsexisasupersededandsecondarypower，withitsconsciousnesssoconfusedanditspurposesoperverted，thatitsideasaremerefantasytocommonmen。Whethertheartistbecomespoetorphilosopher，moralistorfounderofareligion，hissexualdoctrineisnothingbutabarrenspecialpleadingforpleasure，excitement，andknowledgewhenheisyoung，andforcontemplativetranquillitywhenheisoldandsatiated。RomanceandAsceticism，AmorismandPuritanismareequallyunrealinthegreatPhilistineworld。Theworldshownusinbooks，whetherthebooksbeconfessedepicsorprofessedgospels，orincodes，orinpoliticalorations，orinphilosophicsystems，isnotthemainworldatall：itisonlytheself—consciousnessofcertainabnormalpeoplewhohavethespecificartistictalentandtemperament。Aseriousmatterthisforyouandme，becausethemanwhoseconsciousnessdoesnotcorrespondtothatofthemajorityisamadman；andtheoldhabitofworshippingmadmenisgivingwaytothenewhabitoflockingthemup。Andsincewhatwecalleducationandcultureisforthemostpartnothingbutthesubstitutionofreadingforexperience，ofliteratureforlife，oftheobsoletefictitiousforthecontemporaryreal，education，asyounodoubtobservedatOxford，destroys，bysupplantation，everymindthatisnotstrongenoughtoseethroughtheimpostureandtousethegreatMastersofArtsaswhattheyreallyareandnomore：thatis，patenteesofhighlyquestionablemethodsofthinking，andmanufacturersofhighlyquestionable，andforthemajoritybuthalfvalidrepresentationsoflife。TheschoolboywhouseshisHomertothrowathisfellow’sheadmakesperhapsthesafestandmostrationaluseofhim；andIobservewithreassurancethatyouoccasionallydothesame，inyourprime，withyourAristotle。
　　Fortunatelyforus，whosemindshavebeensooverwhelminglysophisticatedbyliterature，whatproducesallthesetreatisesandpoemsandscripturesofonesortoranotheristhestruggleofLifetobecomedivinelyconsciousofitselfinsteadofblindlystumblinghitherandthitherinthelineofleastresistance。
　　Hencethereisadrivingtowardstruthinallbooksonmatterswherethewriter，thoughexceptionallygiftedisnormallyconstituted，andhasnoprivateaxetogrind。Copernicushadnomotiveformisleadinghisfellowmenastotheplaceofthesuninthesolarsystem：helookedforitashonestlyasashepherdseekshispathinamist。ButCopernicuswouldnothavewrittenlovestoriesscientifically。Whenitcomestosexrelations，themanofgeniusdoesnotsharethecommonman’sdangerofcapture，northewomanofgeniusthecommonwoman’soverwhelmingspecialization。Andthatiswhyourscripturesandotherartworks，whentheydealwithlove，turnfromhonestattemptsatscienceinphysicstoromanticnonsense，eroticecstasy，orthesternasceticismofsatiety（"theroadofexcessleadstothepalaceofwisdom"saidWilliamBlake；for"youneverknowwhatisenoughunlessyouknowwhatismorethanenough"）。
　　Thereisapoliticalaspectofthissexquestionwhichistoobigformycomedy，andtoomomentoustobepassedoverwithoutculpablefrivolity。ItisimpossibletodemonstratethattheinitiativeinsextransactionsremainswithWoman，andhasbeenconfirmedtoher，sofar，moreandmorebythesuppressionofrapineanddiscouragementofimportunity，withoutbeingdriventoveryseriousreflectionsonthefactthatthisinitiativeispoliticallythemostimportantofalltheinitiatives，becauseourpoliticalexperimentofdemocracy，thelastrefugeofcheapmisgovernment，willruinusifourcitizensareillbred。
　　Whenwetwowereborn，thiscountrywasstilldominatedbyaselectedclassbredbypoliticalmarriages。Thecommercialclasshadnotthencompletedthefirsttwenty—fiveyearsofitsnewshareofpoliticalpower；anditwasitselfselectedbymoneyqualification，andbred，ifnotbypoliticalmarriage，atleastbyaprettyrigorousclassmarriage。Aristocracyandplutocracystillfurnishthefigureheadsofpolitics；buttheyarenowdependentonthevotesofthepromiscuouslybredmasses。Andthis，ifyouplease，attheverymomentwhenthepoliticalproblem，havingsuddenlyceasedtomeanaverylimitedandoccasionalinterference，mostlybywayofjobbingpublicappointments，inthemismanagementofatightbutparochiallittleisland，withoccasionalmeaninglessprosecutionofdynasticwars，hasbecometheindustrialreorganizationofBritain，theconstructionofapracticallyinternationalCommonwealth，andthepartitionofthewholeofAfricaandperhapsthewholeofAsiabythecivilizedPowers。Canyoubelievethatthepeoplewhoseconceptionsofsocietyandconduct，whosepowerofattentionandscopeofinterest，aremeasuredbytheBritishtheatreasyouknowitto—day，caneitherhandlethiscolossaltaskthemselves，orunderstandandsupportthesortofmindandcharacterthatis（atleastcomparatively）capableofhandlingit？Forremember：whatourvotersareinthepitandgallerytheyarealsointhepollingbooth。WeareallnowunderwhatBurkecalled"thehoofsoftheswinishmultitude。"Burke’slanguagegavegreatoffencebecausetheimpliedexceptionstoitsuniversalapplicationmadeitaclassinsult；anditcertainlywasnotforthepottocallthekettleblack。Thearistocracyhedefended，inspiteofthepoliticalmarriagesbywhichittriedtosecurebreedingforitself，haditsmindundertrainedbysillyschoolmastersandgovernesses，itscharactercorruptedbygratuitousluxury，itsself—respectadulteratedtocompletespuriousnessbyflatteryandflunkeyism。Itisnobetterto—dayandneverwillbeanybetter：ourverypeasantshavesomethingmorallyhardierinthemthatculminatesoccasionallyinaBunyan，aBurns，oraCarlyle。Butobserve，thisaristocracy，whichwasoverpoweredfrom1832to1885bythemiddleclass，hascomebacktopowerbythevotesof"theswinishmultitude。"TomPainehastriumphedoverEdmundBurke；andtheswinearenowcourtedelectors。Howmanyoftheirownclasshavetheseelectorssenttoparliament？Hardlyadozenoutof670，andtheseonlyunderthepersuasionofconspicuouspersonalqualificationsandpopulareloquence。Themultitudethuspronouncesjudgmentonitsownunits：itadmitsitselfunfittogovern，andwillvoteonlyforamanmorphologicallyandgenericallytransfiguredbypalatialresidenceandequipage，bytranscendenttailoring，bytheglamorofaristocratickinship。Well，wetwoknowthesetransfiguredpersons，thesecollegepassmen，thesewellgroomedmonocularAlgysandBobbies，thesecricketerstowhomagebringsgolfinsteadofwisdom，theseplutocraticproductsof"thenailandsarspanbusinessashegothismoneyby。"Doyouknowwhethertolaughorcryatthenotionthatthey，poordevils！willdriveateamofcontinentsastheydriveafour—in—hand；turnajostlinganarchyofcasualtradeandspeculationintoanorderedproductivity；andfederateourcoloniesintoaworld—Powerofthefirstmagnitude？Givethesepeoplethemostperfectpoliticalconstitutionandthesoundestpoliticalprogramthatbenevolentomnisciencecandeviseforthem，andtheywillinterpretitintomerefashionablefollyorcantingcharityasinfalliblyasasavageconvertsthephilosophicaltheologyofaScotchmissionaryintocrudeAfricanidolatry。
　　Idonotknowwhetheryouhaveanyillusionsleftonthesubjectofeducation，progress，andsoforth。Ihavenone。Anypamphleteercanshowthewaytobetterthings；butwhenthereisnowillthereisnoway。Mynursewasfondofremarkingthatyoucannotmakeasilkpurseoutofasow’sear，andthemoreIseeoftheeffortsofourchurchesanduniversitiesandliterarysagestoraisethemassaboveitsownlevel，themoreconvincedI
　　amthatmynursewasright。Progresscandonothingbutmakethemostofusallasweare，andthatmostwouldclearlynotbeenoughevenifthosewhoarealreadyraisedoutofthelowestabysseswouldallowtheothersachance。ThebubbleofHeredityhasbeenpricked：thecertaintythatacquirementsarenegligibleaselementsinpracticalheredityhasdemolishedthehopesoftheeducationistsaswellastheterrorsofthedegeneracymongers；
　　andweknownowthatthereisnohereditary"governingclass"anymorethanahereditaryhooliganism。WemusteitherbreedpoliticalcapacityorberuinedbyDemocracy，whichwasforcedonusbythefailureoftheolderalternatives。YetifDespotismfailedonlyforwantofacapablebenevolentdespot，whatchancehasDemocracy，whichrequiresawholepopulationofcapablevoters：thatis，ofpoliticalcriticswho，iftheycannotgoverninpersonforlackofspareenergyorspecifictalentforadministration，canatleastrecognizeandappreciatecapacityandbenevolenceinothers，andsogovernthroughcapablybenevolentrepresentatives？Wherearesuchvoterstobefoundto—day？Nowhere。Promiscuousbreedinghasproducedaweaknessofcharacterthatistootimidtofacethefullstringencyofathoroughlycompetitivestruggleforexistenceandtoolazyandpettytoorganizethecommonwealthco—operatively。Beingcowards，wedefeatnaturalselectionundercoverofphilanthropy：beingsluggards，weneglectartificialselectionundercoverofdelicacyandmorality。
　　YetwemustgetanelectorateofcapablecriticsorcollapseasRomeandEgyptcollapsed。AtthismomenttheRomandecadentphaseofpanemetcircensesisbeinginauguratedunderoureyes。Ournewspapersandmelodramasareblusteringaboutourimperialdestiny；butoureyesandheartsturneagerlytotheAmericanmillionaire。Ashishandgoesdowntohispocket，ourfingersgouptothebrimsofourhatsbyinstinct。Ouridealprosperityisnottheprosperityoftheindustrialnorth，buttheprosperityoftheIsleofWight，ofFolkestoneandRamsgate，ofNiceandMonteCarlo。Thatistheonlyprosperityyouseeonthestage，wheretheworkersareallfootmen，parlourmaids，comiclodging—lettersandfashionableprofessionalmen，whilsttheheroesandheroinesaremiraculouslyprovidedwithunlimiteddividends，andeatgratuitously，liketheknightsinDonQuixote’sbooksofchivalry。
　　ThecitypapersprateofthecompetitionofBombaywithManchesterandthelike。TherealcompetitionisthecompetitionofRegentStreetwiththeRuedeRivoli，ofBrightonandthesouthcoastwiththeRiviera，forthespendingmoneyoftheAmericanTrusts。Whatisallthisgrowingloveofpageantry，thiseffusiveloyalty，thisofficiousrisinganduncoveringatawavefromaflagorablastfromabrassband？Imperialism：Notabitofit。Obsequiousness，servility，cupidityrousedbytheprevailingsmellofmoney。WhenMrCarnegierattledhismillionsinhispocketsallEnglandbecameonerapaciouscringe。Only，whenRhodes（whohadprobablybeenreadingmySocialismforMillionaires）leftwordthatnoidlerwastoinherithisestate，thebentbacksstraightenedmistrustfullyforamoment。CoulditbethattheDiamondKingwasnogentlemanafterall？However，itwaseasytoignorearichman’ssolecism。Theungentlemanlyclausewasnotmentionedagain；andthebackssoonbowedthemselvesbackintotheirnaturalshape。
　　ButIhearyouaskingmeinalarmwhetherIhaveactuallyputallthistubthumpingintoaDonJuancomedy。Ihavenot。IhaveonlymademyDonJuanapoliticalpamphleteer，andgivenyouhispamphletinfullbywayofappendix。Youwillfinditattheendofthebook。Iamsorrytosaythatitisacommonpracticewithromancerstoannouncetheirheroasamanofextraordinarygenius，andtoleavehisworksentirelytothereader’simagination；sothatattheendofthebookyouwhispertoyourselfruefullythatbutfortheauthor’ssolemnpreliminaryassuranceyoushouldhardlyhavegiventhegentlemancreditforordinarygoodsense。Youcannotaccusemeofthispitiablebarrenness，thisfeebleevasion。Inotonlytellyouthatmyherowrotearevolutionists’handbook：Igiveyouthehandbookatfulllengthforyouredificationifyoucaretoreadit。AndinthathandbookyouwillfindthepoliticsofthesexquestionasI
　　conceiveDonJuan’sdescendanttounderstandthem。NotthatI
　　disclaimthefullestresponsibilityforhisopinionsandforthoseofallmycharacters，pleasantandunpleasant。Theyareallrightfromtheirseveralpointsofview；andtheirpointsofvieware，forthedramaticmoment，minealso。Thismaypuzzlethepeoplewhobelievethatthereissuchathingasanabsolutelyrightpointofview，usuallytheirown。Itmayseemtothemthatnobodywhodoubtsthiscanbeinastateofgrace。Howeverthatmaybe，itiscertainlytruethatnobodywhoagreeswiththemcanpossiblybeadramatist，orindeedanythingelsethatturnsuponaknowledgeofmankind。HenceithasbeenpointedoutthatShakespearhadnoconscience。NeitherhaveI，inthatsense。
　　Youmay，however，remindmethatthisdigressionofmineintopoliticswasprecededbyaveryconvincingdemonstrationthattheartistnevercatchesthepointofviewofthecommonmanonthequestionofsex，becauseheisnotinthesamepredicament。I
　　firstprovethatanythingIwriteontherelationofthesexesissuretobemisleading；andthenIproceedtowriteaDonJuanplay。Well，ifyouinsistonaskingmewhyIbehaveinthisabsurdway，Icanonlyreplythatyouaskedmeto，andthatinanycasemytreatmentofthesubjectmaybevalidfortheartist，amusingtotheamateur，andatleastintelligibleandthereforepossiblysuggestivetothePhilistine。Everymanwhorecordshisillusionsisprovidingdataforthegenuinelyscientificpsychologywhichtheworldstillwaitsfor。Iplankdownmyviewoftheexistingrelationsofmentowomeninthemosthighlycivilizedsocietyforwhatitisworth。Itisaviewlikeanyotherviewandnomore，neithertruenorfalse，but，Ihope，awayoflookingatthesubjectwhichthrowsintothefamiliarorderofcauseandeffectasufficientbodyoffactandexperiencetobeinterestingtoyou，ifnottotheplay—goingpublicofLondon。Ihavecertainlyshownlittleconsiderationforthatpublicinthisenterprise；butIknowthatithasthefriendliestdispositiontowardsyouandmeasfarasithasanyconsciousnessofourexistence，andquiteunderstandsthatwhatI
　　writeforyoumustpassataconsiderableheightoveritssimpleromantichead。Itwilltakemybooksasreadandmygeniusforgranted，trustingmetoputforthworkofsuchqualityasshallbearoutitsverdict。Sowemaydisportourselvesonourownplanetothetopofourbent；andifanygentlemanpointsoutthatneitherthisepistlededicatorynorthedreamofDonJuaninthethirdactoftheensuingcomedyissuitableforimmediateproductionatapopulartheatreweneednotcontradicthim。
　　NapoleonprovidedTalmawithapitofkings，withwhateffectonTalma’sactingisnotrecorded。Asforme，whatIhavealwayswantedisapitofphilosophers；andthisisaplayforsuchapit。
　　IshouldmakeformalacknowledgmenttotheauthorswhomIhavepillagedinthefollowingpagesifIcouldrecollectthema11。
　　Thetheftofthebrigand—poetasterfromSirArthurConanDoyleisdeliberate；andthemetamorphosisofLeporellointoEnryStraker，motorengineerandNewMan，isanintentionaldramaticsketchforthecontemporaryembryoofMrH。G。Wells’santicipationoftheefficientengineeringclasswhichwill，hehopes，finallysweepthejabberersoutofthewayofcivilization。MrBarriohasalso，whilstIamcorrectingmyproofs，delightedLondonwithaservantwhoknowsmorethanhismasters。TheconceptionofMendozaLimitedItracebacktoacertainWestIndiancolonialsecretary，who，ataperiodwhenheandIandMrSidneyWebbweresowingourpoliticalwildoatsasasortofFabianThreeMusketeers，withoutanyprevisionofthesurprisingrespectabilityofthecropthatfollowed，recommendedWebb，theencyclopedicandinexhaustible，toformhimselfintoacompanyforthebenefitoftheshareholders。OctaviusItakeoverunalteredfromMozart；andI
　　herebyauthorizeanyactorwhoimpersonateshim，tosing"Dallasuapace"（ifhecan）atanyconvenientmomentduringtherepresentation。AnnwassuggestedtomebythefifteenthcenturyDutchmoralitycalledEveryman，whichMrWilliamPoelhaslatelyresuscitatedsotriumphantly。Itrusthewillworkthatveinfurther，andrecognizethatElizabethanRenascencefustianisnomorebearableaftermedievalpoesythanScribeafterIbsen。AsI
　　satwatchingEverymanattheCharterhouse，IsaidtomyselfWhynotEverywoman？Annwastheresult：everywomanisnotAnn；butAnnisEverywoman。
　　ThattheauthorofEverymanwasnomereartist，butanartist—philosopher，andthattheartist—philosophersaretheonlysortofartistsItakequiteseriously，willbenonewstoyou。
　　EvenPlatoandBoswell，asthedramatistswhoinventedSocratesandDrJohnson，impressmemoredeeplythantheromanticplaywrights。Eversince，asaboy，IfirstbreathedtheairofthetranscendentalregionsataperformanceofMozart’sZauberflote，IhavebeenproofagainstthegarishsplendorsandalcoholicexcitementsoftheordinarystagecombinationsofTappertitianromancewiththepoliceintelligence。Bunyan，Blake，HogarthandTurner（thesefourapartandabovealltheEnglishClassics），Goethe，Shelley，Schopenhaur，Wagner，Ibsen，Morris，Tolstoy，andNietzscheareamongthewriterswhosepeculiarsenseoftheworldIrecognizeasmoreorlessakintomyown。Markthewordpeculiar。IreadDickensandShakespearwithoutshameorstint；buttheirpregnantobservationsanddemonstrationsoflifearenotco—ordinatedintoanyphilosophyorreligion：onthecontrary，Dickens’ssentimentalassumptionsareviolentlycontradictedbyhisobservations；andShakespear’spessimismisonlyhiswoundedhumanity。Bothhavethespecificgeniusofthefictionistandthecommonsympathiesofhumanfeelingandthoughtinpre—eminentdegree。TheyareoftensanerandshrewderthanthephilosophersjustasSancho—PanzawasoftensanerandshrewderthanDonQuixote。Theyclearawayvastmassesofoppressivegravitybytheirsenseoftheridiculous，whichisatbottomacombinationofsoundmoraljudgmentwithlightheartedgoodhumor。Buttheyareconcernedwiththediversitiesoftheworldinsteadofwithitsunities：theyaresoirreligiousthattheyexploitpopularreligionforprofessionalpurposeswithoutdelicacyorscruple（forexample，SydneyCartonandtheghostinHamlet！）：theyareanarchical，andcannotbalancetheirexposuresofAngeloandDogberry，SirLeicesterDedlockandMrTiteBarnacle，withanyportraitofaprophetoraworthyleader：theyhavenoconstructiveideas：theyregardthosewhohavethemasdangerousfanatics：inalltheirfictionsthereisnoleadingthoughtorinspirationforwhichanymancouldconceivablyriskthespoilingofhishatinashower，muchlesshislife。Botharealikeforcedtoborrowmotivesforthemorestrenuousactionsoftheirpersonagesfromthecommonstockpotofmelodramaticplots；
　　sothatHamlethastobestimulatedbytheprejudicesofapolicemanandMacbethbythecupiditiesofabushranger。Dickens，withouttheexcuseofhavingtomanufacturemotivesforHamletsandMacbeths，superfluouslypunthiscrewdownthestreamofhismonthlypartsbymechanicaldeviceswhichIleaveyoutodescribe，myownmemorybeingquitebaffledbythesimplestquestionastoMonksinOliverTwist，orthelonglostparentageofSmike，ortherelationsbetweentheDorritandClennamfamiliessoinopportunelydiscoveredbyMonsieurRigaudBlandois。
　　Thetruthis，theworldwastoShakespearagreat"stageoffools"onwhichhewasutterlybewildered。Hecouldseenosortofsenseinlivingatall；andDickenssavedhimselffromthedespairofthedreaminTheChimesbytakingtheworldforgrantedandbusyinghimselfwithitsdetails。Neitherofthemcoulddoanythingwithaseriouspositivecharacter：theycouldplaceahumanfigurebeforeyouwithperfectverisimilitude；butwhenthemomentcameformakingitliveandmove，theyfound，unlessitmadethemlaugh，thattheyhadapuppetontheirhands，andhadtoinventsomeartificialexternalstimulustomakeitwork。ThisiswhatisthematterwithHamletallthrough：hehasnowillexceptinhisburstsoftemper。FoolishBardolatersmakeavirtueofthisaftertheirfashion：theydeclarethattheplayisthetragedyofirresolution；butallShakespear’sprojectionsofthedeepesthumanityheknewhavethesamedefect：theircharactersandmannersarelifelike；buttheiractionsareforcedonthemfromwithout，andtheexternalforceisgrotesquelyinappropriateexceptwhenitisquiteconventional，asinthecaseofHenryV。Falstaffismorevividthananyoftheseseriousreflectivecharacters，becauseheisself—acting：hismotivesarehisownappetitesandinstinctsandhumors。RichardIII，too，isdelightfulasthewhimsicalcomedianwhostopsafuneraltomakelovetothecorpse’swidow；butwhen，inthenextact，heisreplacedbyastagevillainwhosmothersbabiesandoffswithpeople’sheads，wearerevoltedattheimpostureandrepudiatethechangeling。Faulconbridge，Coriolanus，Leontesareadmirabledescriptionsofinstinctivetemperaments：indeedtheplayofCoriolanusisthegreatestofShakespear’scomedies；butdescriptionisnotphilosophy；andcomedyneithercompromisestheauthornorrevealshim。Hemustbejudgedbythosecharactersintowhichheputswhatheknowsofhimself，hisHamletsandMacbethsandLearsandProsperos。Ifthesecharactersareagonizinginavoidaboutfactitiousmelodramaticmurdersandrevengesandthelike，whilstthecomiccharacterswalkwiththeirfeetonsolidground，vividandamusing，youknowthattheauthorhasmuchtoshowandnothingtoteach。ThecomparisonbetweenFalstaffandProsperoislikethecomparisonbetweenMicawberandDavidCopperfield。AttheendofthebookyouknowMicawber，whereasyouonlyknowwhathashappenedtoDavid，andarenotinterestedenoughinhimtowonderwhathispoliticsorreligionmightbeifanythingsostupendousasareligiousorpoliticalidea，orageneralideaofanysort，weretooccurtohim。Heistolerableasachild；butheneverbecomesaman，andmightbeleftoutofhisownbiographyaltogetherbutforhisusefulnessasastageconfidant，aHoratioor"Charleshisfriend"whattheycallonthestageafeeder。
　　Nowyoucannotsaythisoftheworksoftheartist—philosophers。
　　Youcannotsayit，forinstance，ofThePilgrim’sProgress。PutyourShakespearianheroandcoward，HenryVandPistolorParolles，besideMrValiantandMrFearing，andyouhaveasuddenrevelationoftheabyssthatliesbetweenthefashionableauthorwhocouldseenothingintheworldbutpersonalaimsandthetragedyoftheirdisappointmentorthecomedyoftheirincongruity，andthefieldpreacherwhoachievedvirtueandcouragebyidentifyinghimselfwiththepurposeoftheworldasheunderstoodit。Thecontrastisenormous：Bunyan’scowardstirsyourbloodmorethanShakespear’shero，whoactuallyleavesyoucoldandsecretlyhostile。YousuddenlyseethatShakespear，withallhisflashesanddivinations，neverunderstoodvirtueandcourage，neverconceivedhowanymanwhowasnotafoolcould，likeBunyan’shero，lookbackfromthebrinkoftheriverofdeathoverthestrifeandlaborofhispilgrimage，andsay"yetdoInotrepentme"；or，withthepanacheofamillionaire，bequeath"myswordtohimthatshallsucceedmeinmypilgrimage，andmycourageandskilltohimthatcangetit。"Thisisthetruejoyinlife，thebeingusedforapurposerecognizedbyyourselfasamightyone；thebeingthoroughlywornoutbeforeyouarethrownonthescrapheap；thebeingaforceofNatureinsteadofafeverishselfishlittleclodofailmentsandgrievancescomplainingthattheworldwillnotdevoteitselftomakingyouhappy。Andalsotheonlyrealtragedyinlifeisthebeingusedbypersonallymindedmenforpurposeswhichyourecognizetobebase。Alltherestisatworstmeremisfortuneormortality：thisaloneismisery，slavery，hellonearth；andtherevoltagainstitistheonlyforcethatoffersaman’sworktothepoorartist，whomourpersonallymindedrichpeoplewouldsowillinglyemployaspandar，buffoon，beautymonger，sentimentalizerandthelike。
　　ItmayseemalongstepfromBunyantoNietzsche；butthedifferencebetweentheirconclusionsispurelyformal。Bunyan’sperceptionthatrighteousnessisfilthyrags，hisscornforMrLegalityinthevillageofMorality，hisdefianceoftheChurchasthesupplanterofreligion，hisinsistenceoncourageasthevirtueofvirtues，hisestimateofthecareeroftheconventionallyrespectableandsensibleWorldlyWisemanasnobetteratbottomthanthelifeanddeathofMrBadman：allthis，expressedbyBunyaninthetermsofatinker’stheology，iswhatNietzschehasexpressedintermsofpost—Darwinian，post—Schopenhaurianphilosophy；Wagnerintermsofpolytheisticmythology；andIbsenintermsofmid—XIXcenturyParisiandramaturgy。Nothingisnewinthesemattersexcepttheirnovelties：forinstance，itisanoveltytocallJustificationbyFaith"Wille，"andJustificationbyWorks"Vorstellung。"ThesoleuseofthenoveltyisthatyouandIbuyandreadSchopenhaur’streatiseonWillandRepresentationwhenweshouldnotdreamofbuyingasetofsermonsonFaithversusWorks。Atbottomthecontroversyisthesame，andthedramaticresultsarethesame。
　　BunyanmakesnoattempttopresenthispilgrimsasmoresensibleorbetterconductedthanMrWorldlyWiseman。MrW。W。’sworstenemies，asMrEmbezzler，MrNever—go—to—Church—on—Sunday，MrBadForm，MrMurderer，MrBurglar，MrCo—respondent，MrBlackmailer，MrCad，MrDrunkard，MrLaborAgitatorandsoforth，canreadthePilgrim’sProgresswithoutfindingawordsaidagainstthem；
　　whereastherespectablepeoplewhosnubthemandputtheminprison，suchasMrW。W。himselfandhisyoungfriendCivility；
　　FormalistandHypocrisy；Wildhead，Inconsiderate，andPragmatick（whowereclearlyyounguniversitymenofgoodfamilyandhighfeeding）；thatbriskladIgnorance，Talkative，By—EndsofFairspeechandhismother—in—lawLadyFeigning，andotherreputablegentlemenandcitizens，catchitveryseverely。EvenLittleFaith，thoughhegetstoheavenatlast，isgiventounderstandthatitservedhimrighttobemobbedbythebrothersFaintHeart，Mistrust，andGuilt，allthreerecognizedmembersofrespectablesocietyandveritablepillarsofthelaw。Thewholeallegoryisaconsistentattackonmoralityandrespectability，withoutawordthatonecanrememberagainstviceandcrime。
　　ExactlywhatiscomplainedofinNietzscheandIbsen，isitnot？
　　Andalsoexactlywhatwouldbecomplainedofinalltheliteraturewhichisgreatenoughandoldenoughtohaveattainedcanonicalrank，officiallyorunofficially，wereitnotthatbooksareadmittedtothecanonbyacompactwhichconfessestheirgreatnessinconsiderationofabrogatingtheirmeaning；sothatthereverendrectorcanagreewiththeprophetMicahastohisinspiredstylewithoutbeingcommittedtoanycomplicityinMicah’sfuriouslyRadicalopinions。Why，evenI，asIforcemyself；peninhand，intorecognitionandcivility，findalltheforceofmyonslaughtdestroyedbyasimplepolicyofnon—resistance。InvaindoIredoubletheviolenceofthelanguageinwhichIproclaimmyheterodoxies。IrailatthetheisticcredulityofVoltaire，theamoristicsuperstitionofShelley，therevivaloftribalsoothsayingandidolatrousriteswhichHuxleycalledScienceandmistookforanadvanceonthePentateuch，nolessthanatthewelterofecclesiasticalandprofessionalhumbugwhichsavesthefaceofthestupidsystemofviolenceandrobberywhichwecallLawandIndustry。EvenatheistsreproachmewithinfidelityandanarchistswithnihilismbecauseIcannotenduretheirmoraltirades。Andyet，insteadofexclaiming"SendthisinconceivableSatanisttothestake，"therespectablenewspaperspithmebyannouncing"anotherbookbythisbrilliantandthoughtfulwriter。"Andtheordinarycitizen，knowingthatanauthorwhoiswellspokenofbyarespectablenewspapermustbeallright，readsme，ashereadsMicah，withundisturbededificationfromhisownpointofview。Itisnarratedthatintheeighteenseventiesanoldlady，averydevoutMethodist，movedfromColchestertoahouseintheneighborhoodoftheCityRoad，inLondon，where，mistakingtheHallofScienceforachapel，shesatatthefeetofCharlesBradlaughformanyyears，entrancedbyhiseloquence，withoutquestioninghisorthodoxyormoultingafeatherofherfaith。IfearIsmallbedefraudedofmyjustmartyrdominthesameway。