Things aren't always as they seem—this could be the motto for the characters in The Threepenny Opera. Whether it's a pregnancy that turns out to be a cushion shoved up a dress, or an amputee who turns out to be wearing a prosthetic stump to get more money begging, appearances can be deceiving when it comes to this lot of characters. And while appearances are completely unreliable, everyone is really concerned about keeping them up. There's the phony wedding that happens so that Polly will spend the night with Mac, even though he's got plenty of other "wives," and the chief of police who washes his hands of his best pal when their friendship, and his corruption, is revealed.
Questions About Appearances
- Do any of the characters seem to be honest, sincere, or genuine in The Threepenny Opera?
- What is the purpose of the wedding? Why does Polly take it so seriously?
- When Mac is sentenced to be executed, his pal Jackie doesn't do anything to stop it. What's that about?
- How does Lucy convince Mac to take her side when he has to choose between her and Polly?
Chew on This
The Threepenny Opera shows how society is built upon keeping up appearances, not on genuine values.
The Threepenny Opera teaches audiences to be suspicious of everything they see. (You can trust us, though, Shmoopers…)