Act 1 Summary

As the first act begins, Madame Pernelle is preparing to leave her son's home. The other members of the family follow her and try to speak, but Madame Pernelle is quite good at having the last word. The family attempts to pay her the respect due Orgon's mother, but she takes each of them to task. First, she criticizes Elmire, her son's wife, for the activities that take place within the home and attempts to silence Dorine, the maid. Then she tells Dames, her grandson, that he is a plain fool and will never amount to anything, and accuses her granddaughter, Mariane, of devious behavior. Madame Pernelle goes on to tell her daughter-in-law that she sets a poor example and is far too extravagant. When Elmire's brother, Cléante, attempts to defend his sister, Madame Pernelle dismisses him and says that she cannot...