Private Lives

In Act I, Amanda proclaims to Victor that women should hold some mystery. Later, Elyot tells her that she holds no mystery for him and she responds that she is glad. Why?

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Amanda earlier states that she has never felt less wild in her life than she does now. Despite this, her attitude and outspokenness disturb Victor. He admits that he wishes he knew her better, showing that Amanda has likely been keeping her personality in restraints during their courtship. Victor is not her intellectual equal and she feels no passion for him. Because of this, she wants to keep her distance from him and uses the generality of women needing to keep their mystique as an excuse. With Elyot, though, she does not need to pretend to be anything besides what she is. Elyot understands her better than anyone else in the play and, when they are together, they can relax and be themselves.