Current Debates and the Town vs. Country

In the writings from the chapter on “The Collier Controversy,” each author makes an argument for the position of drama in society. Collier attempts to show “misbehavior of the stage with respect to morality and religion” while Dennis maintains that “the chief end and design of man is to make himself happy,” which drama supports (493, 506). Although the essays were written in the late seventeenth century, their arguments still seem quite current in relation to debates about the media today. How different are our current comedies and tragedies from those of the late sixteen hundreds? How would a current debate about vice on the stage/media versus the pleasure of the stage/media be similar to the one we have read?

In William Wycherley’s The Country Wife, the characters often mention and/or go to fashionable locales, such as the theater and The New Exchange. This contrasts with the knowledge and experience of Mrs. Pinchwife, who is a naïve country woman with little experience in urban affairs. Mr. Pinchwife wants to prevent his wife from taking on any sophistication or habits of city life: he says, “Ay, my dear, you must love me only, and not be like the naughty town-women, who only hate their husbands and love every man else, love plays, visits, fine coaches, fine clothes, fiddles, balls, treats, and so lead a wicked town-life” (2.1.17). We later find that the town does corrupt Mrs. Pinchwife, in her love for Mr. Horner. But is this a simple case of country purity contrasted with town deviance? Why does Wycherley contrast the cultures of the two places? Which place, town or country, does he seem to support through his characters and their actions? Or, is he critiquing both cultures?