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1. Why does Mr. Vandergelder disapprove of his niece's suitor?

Mr. Vandergelder does not approve of Ambrose, Ermengarde's suitor, because he is an artist. Mr. Vandergelder does not feel someone in that profession could support his niece.

2. How does Mr. Vandergelder's disapproval affect the marriage of his niece?

Mr. Vandergelder's disapproval does not prevent the marriage of his niece, rather encourages it. Because of Mr. Vandergelder's protests, Ambrose realizes he will have to do something fast to win the hand of the woman that he loves.

3. At the beginning of The Matchmaker, what is the relationship between Cornelius and Mr. Vandergelder?

The relationship between Cornelius and Mr. Vandergelder is not good at the beginning of the play, as Mr. Vandergelder does not respect the work Cornelius does and will not give him a promotion.

4. What is Mr. Vandergelder's excuse for not promoting Cornelius to anything of significance?

Mr. Vandergelder does not promote Cornelius because he is in his thirties and Mr. Vandergelder believes "a man is not worth a cent until he is forty."

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