One important theme in much of eighteenth-century literature is masquerade—the idea of people “masking” their true selves, either literally—with a costume—or symbolically—by hiding their true selves. Think about the theme of masking or disguising in The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith. Some possible questions to consider: How, why, and to what purpose do characters pretend to be something they are not? When and why are they able to fool other characters? You might think about whether the Vicar (or another character) masks aspects of himself. Is the Vicar ever wrong about the true self of other characters? What does this say about him? Or you might consider which characters are able to “read” the true selves of other characters. What does Goldsmith think about masking or masquerade—how is he using it thematically?

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The actions of the novel take place in a rural area in one of the English counties. Against the setting of pastoral landscapes, the priest Primrose experiences a genuine life drama and becomes the victim of a vicious local landowner. The theme of the masquerade plays an important role in the novel, both literally and figuratively. All attempts by the landowner Thornhill to deceive the pastor’s family and get his daughter can be called the actual masquerade. The villain puts on the mask of an affluent and pious person to lie to people.

The theme of the false masquerade is well established when Mr. Thornhill throws a country in honor of the young ladies of Primrose. The young man arrives there accompanied by two splendidly dressed women, whom he presents as noble ladies. They instantly express a favor towards girls, beginning to depict the delights of their future life in London.

The consequences turn out to be malignant, awakening arrogance that has not perished even due to tranquil village life. The Primrose sisters take off the “masks” of unpretentious ladies and reveal the true face of spoiled lasses who crave about former life in wellspring.

When Mr. Thornhill’s friends start chatting about bringing sisters to the capital, even the pastor omits sensibleness. In the end, everything turns out to be a cruel lie. Beautifully dressed ladies are fibbers induced by Mr. Thornhill to bring the pastor`s daughter to him. The promised sweet life turns into a harsh reality where everyone is viciously deceived.

Despite a moment of weakness, the pastor still manages to see behind the lies and pretenses the true nature of Mr. Thornhill. He realizes his mistakes and says: “What we place the most hope on usually turns out to be the most fatal.” Blind hope and rash faith can turn a blind eye and prevent from seeing the “masquerade” of falsehoods and hypocrisy. At such moments, it is necessary to listen to the heart and stay faithful to loved ones.

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Academic.Tips. (2023) 'One important theme in much of eighteenth-century literature is masquerade—the idea of people “masking” their true selves, either literally—with a costume—or symbolically—by hiding their true selves. Think about the theme of masking or disguising in The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith. Some possible questions to consider: How, why, and to what purpose do characters pretend to be something they are not? When and why are they able to fool other characters? You might think about whether the Vicar (or another character) masks aspects of himself. Is the Vicar ever wrong about the true self of other characters? What does this say about him? Or you might consider which characters are able to “read” the true selves of other characters. What does Goldsmith think about masking or masquerade—how is he using it thematically'. 15 March.

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Academic.Tips. (2023, March 15). One important theme in much of eighteenth-century literature is masquerade—the idea of people “masking” their true selves, either literally—with a costume—or symbolically—by hiding their true selves. Think about the theme of masking or disguising in The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith. Some possible questions to consider: How, why, and to what purpose do characters pretend to be something they are not? When and why are they able to fool other characters? You might think about whether the Vicar (or another character) masks aspects of himself. Is the Vicar ever wrong about the true self of other characters? What does this say about him? Or you might consider which characters are able to “read” the true selves of other characters. What does Goldsmith think about masking or masquerade—how is he using it thematically? https://academic.tips/question/one-important-theme-in-much-of-eighteenth-century-literature-is-masquerade-the-idea-of-people-masking-their-true-selves-either-literally-with-a-costume-or-sy/

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Academic.Tips. 2023. "One important theme in much of eighteenth-century literature is masquerade—the idea of people “masking” their true selves, either literally—with a costume—or symbolically—by hiding their true selves. Think about the theme of masking or disguising in The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith. Some possible questions to consider: How, why, and to what purpose do characters pretend to be something they are not? When and why are they able to fool other characters? You might think about whether the Vicar (or another character) masks aspects of himself. Is the Vicar ever wrong about the true self of other characters? What does this say about him? Or you might consider which characters are able to “read” the true selves of other characters. What does Goldsmith think about masking or masquerade—how is he using it thematically?" March 15, 2023. https://academic.tips/question/one-important-theme-in-much-of-eighteenth-century-literature-is-masquerade-the-idea-of-people-masking-their-true-selves-either-literally-with-a-costume-or-sy/.

1. Academic.Tips. "One important theme in much of eighteenth-century literature is masquerade—the idea of people “masking” their true selves, either literally—with a costume—or symbolically—by hiding their true selves. Think about the theme of masking or disguising in The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith. Some possible questions to consider: How, why, and to what purpose do characters pretend to be something they are not? When and why are they able to fool other characters? You might think about whether the Vicar (or another character) masks aspects of himself. Is the Vicar ever wrong about the true self of other characters? What does this say about him? Or you might consider which characters are able to “read” the true selves of other characters. What does Goldsmith think about masking or masquerade—how is he using it thematically?" March 15, 2023. https://academic.tips/question/one-important-theme-in-much-of-eighteenth-century-literature-is-masquerade-the-idea-of-people-masking-their-true-selves-either-literally-with-a-costume-or-sy/.

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Academic.Tips. "One important theme in much of eighteenth-century literature is masquerade—the idea of people “masking” their true selves, either literally—with a costume—or symbolically—by hiding their true selves. Think about the theme of masking or disguising in The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith. Some possible questions to consider: How, why, and to what purpose do characters pretend to be something they are not? When and why are they able to fool other characters? You might think about whether the Vicar (or another character) masks aspects of himself. Is the Vicar ever wrong about the true self of other characters? What does this say about him? Or you might consider which characters are able to “read” the true selves of other characters. What does Goldsmith think about masking or masquerade—how is he using it thematically?" March 15, 2023. https://academic.tips/question/one-important-theme-in-much-of-eighteenth-century-literature-is-masquerade-the-idea-of-people-masking-their-true-selves-either-literally-with-a-costume-or-sy/.

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"One important theme in much of eighteenth-century literature is masquerade—the idea of people “masking” their true selves, either literally—with a costume—or symbolically—by hiding their true selves. Think about the theme of masking or disguising in The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith. Some possible questions to consider: How, why, and to what purpose do characters pretend to be something they are not? When and why are they able to fool other characters? You might think about whether the Vicar (or another character) masks aspects of himself. Is the Vicar ever wrong about the true self of other characters? What does this say about him? Or you might consider which characters are able to “read” the true selves of other characters. What does Goldsmith think about masking or masquerade—how is he using it thematically?" Academic.Tips, 15 Mar. 2023, academic.tips/question/one-important-theme-in-much-of-eighteenth-century-literature-is-masquerade-the-idea-of-people-masking-their-true-selves-either-literally-with-a-costume-or-sy/.

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