Outward Façades and Self Identity

Throughout the work, Eliot explores the theme of self-identity, which becomes central to the plot. He demonstrates that all people put up a front or façade that they want others to believe. Those constructing false appearances may even come to believe in them so thoroughly that they ultimately even lie to themselves about that facade. In particular, Edward and Lavinia each have been telling others, and themselves, stories about what they believed to be true, only to discover during the play that they were not fooling anyone.

Edward was living a life where he believed he was in a satisfying, if boring, marriage, and that he was in love with Celia. However, he soon realizes that he doesn’t love Celia, and that although he doesn’t love Lavinia either, he is reliant upon her. He also discovers that the two major...