Question

Referring closely to Act IV, scene i:

Describe the auction that Candida initiates. Why do you think she terms it an auction?

Answer 1

The “Auction”

In the climax of Act III, Candida intervenes in the conflict between Morell and Marchbanks. Refusing to be a passive prize, she asks both men to “bid” for her by stating what they offer:

• Morell’s Bid: He offers his strength, his honesty, and his protection, believing he is her provider.
• Marchbanks’ Bid: He offers his weakness, his loneliness, and his “heart’s need.”
• The Outcome: Candida chooses the “weaker of the two”,Morell,revealing that he is the one truly dependent on her, while the poet is strong enough to live alone.

Why does she term it an “Auction”

1. To Satirize Objectification: By using a commercial term, she mocks the men for treating her like property to be won or “owned.”
2. To Reclaim Agency: She shifts from being the “item” to the judge. It forces the men to audition for her approval, placing the power of choice entirely in her hands.
3. To Reveal Reality: An auction demands a cold assessment of value. It strips away Morell’s sermons and Marchbanks’ poetry, forcing them to show their true, raw utility in her life.