# The Revolt Against Marriage explained — Getting Married

> Chapter companion for Getting Married by George Bernard Shaw.

## What happens

The chapter critiques the dangerous nonsense surrounding marriage, condemning both the inhumanity of marriage law and the anarchical tendency of rebellious spirits to form illicit unions. The author advises young women against compromising without the security of marriage, citing examples like George Eliot and Nietzsche, and notes that even those who marry often insist on a private treaty of freedom, which paradoxically tends to result in monogamy.

## Themes in this chapter

### Critique of Marriage as an Institution

The chapter attacks marriage law as inhuman and unreasonable, and criticizes both the institution and the anarchical attempts to circumvent it.

### Illusions of Romantic Love

The chapter exposes the dangerous nonsense and false ideals that surround marriage, including the notion that private agreements can override legal bonds.

### Hypocrisy and Social Pretense

The chapter highlights the hypocrisy of those who publicly defy marriage laws yet often end up in monogamous unions, and the pretense of freedom in marriage treaties.

## Key lines

> There is no subject on which more dangerous nonsense is talked and thought than marriage.

Marriage is a topic surrounded by perilous foolishness in both speech and thought.

_Opening statement establishing the chapter's critical tone._

> Young women come to me and ask me whether I think they ought to consent to marry the man they have decided to live with; and they are perplexed and astonished when I, who am supposed (heaven knows why!) to have the most advanced views attainable on the subject, urge them on no account to compromize themselves without the security of an authentic wedding ring.

Young women seek my advice on whether to marry the man they already live with, and are surprised when I, despite my reputation for radical views, strongly advise them not to risk their position without a proper wedding ring.

_Illustrates the author's unexpected conservative advice on marriage security._

> They cite the example of George Eliot, who formed an illicit union with Lewes. They quote a saying attributed to Nietzsche, that a married philosopher is ridiculous, though the men of their choice are not philosophers.

They reference George Eliot's unmarried relationship with Lewes and Nietzsche's remark that a married philosopher is absurd, even though the men they choose are not philosophers.

_Shows the intellectual precedents invoked by those questioning marriage._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/getting_married_se/chapters/the-revolt-against-marriage
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/getting_married_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/getting_married_se/chapters