# Wit vs. Affectation in The Way of the World

> Theme guide for The Way of the World by William Congreve.

The play contrasts genuine wit (Mirabell, Millamant) with false, affected cleverness (Witwoud, Petulant), critiquing social pretension and the performance of intelligence in Restoration society.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_the_world_se/themes/wit_and_affectation
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_the_world_se/themes