Question

Referring closely to Act IV, scene i:

What is the reason for the choice made by Candida at the end of the play?

Answer 1

1. The “Weaker of the Two” Argument: Candida’s choice is based on her maternal instinct to support the man who needs her most. While Morell appears strong, successful, and protective, she reveals that he is actually a “great baby.” He is entirely dependent on her for his domestic comfort, his public confidence, and his emotional stability. Without her, his life and career would collapse.
2. Marchbanks’ Spiritual Strength: Conversely, she realizes that Marchbanks, despite his physical frailty and emotional outbursts, possesses a “poet’s strength.” He is self-sufficient and does not actually need the domestic “pauper’s” protection that she provides. He is capable of surviving in the “outer darkness” (the world of art and soul) alone.
3. Rejection of Romantic Illusions: Candida chooses the reality of her marriage over the fantasy of the poet. She understands that Marchbanks’ love is an idealized, poetic dream that would eventually wither in the face of daily chores (like peeling onions). By staying with Morell, she chooses the practical, functional role of being the “mother and wife” to a man who truly cannot survive without her.