Bernard\'s \"I\'m Going\" How Henri Is Influenced

Bernard's "I'm Going"

How Henri is influenced by social expectations

"I'm Going" is a comedy by French playwright Tristan Bernard that explores how gender influences how the main characters, Henri and Jeanne, not only interact with each other, but also they believe they need to act in a public setting. In "I'm Going," Bernard explores the conflicts that arise between Henri and Jeanne when planning social activities, specifically going to a horse race. Through the play's imagery and characters, one can see how social conventions shape how Henri believes he must present himself in public when alone and when accompanied by his wife, Jeanne.

At the beginning of the play, Henri is getting ready to go to the races and is prepared to go alone. Through imagery, one can see how Henri dresses when he goes to the races unaccompanied and how that differs from how Henri feels obligated to dress if he takes Jeanne with him. Henri contends, "When I'm alone, I can do as I please. And then, if you must go, I must put on my best clothes -- these are old moth-eaten ones -- and I can never have a good time in new clothes" (Bernard, 1915, p. 6). One of the most interesting things about Henri's argument is that he cannot have a good time wearing new clothes and thus insinuates that he cannot have a good time on any outing with Jeanne.

Margaret Marini (1990) argues, "Consensual beliefs about differences between the sexes also accompany gender role differentiation," a concept that is referenced in "I'm Going" (1915). While Henri associates dressing down and going to the races by himself to be representative of having fun, Jeanne would rather get dressed up and do something that is more cultured, such as take a walk along the Champs-Elysee or "go to the theatre and have supper after" (Bernard, 1915, p. 8). It is also important to note that Henri's idea of fun also includes running about, looking through the stables, and checking out the judges' stands (Bernard, 1915, p. 6).

Marini's (1990) argument can also be seen in the way that Henri contends he has to change his mode of transportation if Jeanne is going to accompany him on his trip to the races. Henri contends, "When I go alone, I take a cab and pay five francs for it" and "I can always find some friend to drive me around" (Bernard, 1915, p. 9). Travelling alone also affords Henri the opportunity to the train (Bernard, 1915, p. 9). However, if Henri is accompanied by Jeanne, it would not be acceptable for him to use these modes of transportation and he feels that he has to order a "special carriage" (Bernard, 1915, p. 5). Additionally, Henri argues, "I have to buy a lady's ticket for you" (Bernard, 1915, p. 5).