Today almost everything is accepted in modern society. It does not matter if a person is
homosexual, bisexual or transsexual. Further, everyone can do even almost everything
that pleases him. So, a lot of men “try” women –the more, the more they are famous,
rich or successful. And even today’s women have broken free from their traditional
tasks: raising a family, staying at home and doing the cooking. Instead, it is fashion to
live a man’s life: going to parties, having a lot of affairs and neglecting the morals.
Today’s women are as bad as their masculine fellow men. And even they have become
worse- if you want to believe in what the older generation says about our youth. Maybe,
this is true. If you compare it to the Victorian Age, so much seems to have changed.
Thinking of Oscar Wilde, you will soon realise that he could have lived a much easier
life in today’s world. He was an “enfant terrible” of his time. Not only that his artistic
and theatrical views did not fit into society at all, but it were especially his sexual
preferences that caused his main problems. In contrast to the latest tendency of acceptance
for homosexuality, it was a real crime about the year 1900 and so he had to spend
a certain time in prison. “The double life that it entailed was by no means a simple matter
of deceit and guilt for Wilde: it suited the cultivation of moral independence and detachment
from society that he considered essential to art.” 1(Small:1999,xiv/xv). With
his behaviour he offended the leaders, institutions and press of his Philistine country.
Yet, he always tried to be accepted by Society, but his attempts were mostly answered
with exclusion.As Wilde lived for art, his works are a mirror of his own disappointment
and frustration about the contemporary value system. So it is certainly very interesting
to examine his play Lady Windermere’s Fan in regard to social and moral views.
1 Ian Small, “Introduction,” Ian Small (ed.), Lady Windermere’s Fan. A Play About a Good Woman
(London: New Mermaids,1999) xiv/xv.
Table of Contents
- 0. Introduction
- 1. Good and Bad
- 1.1. Characterisation Techniques (1): Lady Windermere the "Good" Woman
- 1.2. Development: Allusions Then Concrete Suspicion
- 1.3. Contrast Relationship (1): Mrs Erlynne the “Bad” Woman
- 1.3.1. Characterisation techniques (2)
- 1.3.2. Suspense-structure
- 1.4. The Change
- 1.5. Contrast Relationship (2): Mrs Erlynne's sacrifice
- 1.5.1. Space: Lady Windermere's Impasse
- 1.5.2. Lead of Information
- 1.5.3. Mrs Erlynne's Sacrifice
- 1.5.4. Irony
- 1.6 Conclusion (1)
- 2. Exclusiveness of Society
- 2.1. But Why Is It So Difficult to Belong to It?
- 2.2. The Exception Proves the Rule
- 3. Hypocrisy and Superficiality
- 3.1. The Speech Behaviour as a Mirror of Society
- 3.1.1 Monologized Dialogue/ One-way Conversation
- 3.1.2 Change of View
- 3.2. Conclusion (2)
- 4. Summary
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan, analyzing its social and moral commentary within the context of Victorian society. The analysis focuses on how Wilde uses characterization, plot development, and dialogue to critique the hypocrisy, superficiality, and exclusivity prevalent in the upper classes.
- The dichotomy of "good" versus "bad" women and the societal pressures shaping their roles.
- The exclusivity and artificiality of Victorian high society and the challenges of belonging.
- The hypocrisy and superficiality of social interactions and communication styles.
- The exploration of moral ambiguity and the complexities of judging character.
- Wilde's critique of Victorian values through dramatic irony and character development.
Chapter Summaries
0. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by contrasting the social freedoms of modern society with the rigid moral codes of the Victorian era. It highlights Oscar Wilde's position as an "enfant terrible" whose life and artistic views clashed with the social norms of his time, making his play Lady Windermere's Fan a particularly interesting lens through which to examine Victorian social and moral views. The introduction establishes the play's central theme: exploring the definitions of "good" and "bad" within a restrictive social context.
1. Good and Bad: This chapter delves into the central theme of morality, focusing on the contrasting figures of Lady Windermere and Mrs. Erlynne. It analyzes Wilde's characterization techniques, demonstrating how he uses explicit and implicit methods to present Lady Windermere as the epitome of a "good" woman, initially adhering to strict Puritan values. The chapter then shows how this image is challenged by allusions and concrete evidence of her husband's infidelity, leading to the audience's shifting sympathy and compassion for her.
2. Exclusiveness of Society: This section examines the exclusivity of Victorian high society and the difficulties faced by those trying to gain acceptance. It explores the rigid social structures and the consequences of deviating from established norms. The chapter dissects how characters’ actions and interactions reveal the struggle for social acceptance and the superficiality of social interactions.
3. Hypocrisy and Superficiality: This chapter analyzes the hypocrisy and superficiality of Victorian society, focusing on the use of dialogue and speech behaviors to reflect these characteristics. The chapter uses examples of monologized dialogue and one-way conversations to show how the characters' communication styles reveal the underlying lack of genuine connection and the prevalence of social posturing. The analysis discusses how these communication patterns reinforce the play's overarching critique of the artificiality and shallowness of society.
Keywords
Victorian society, social criticism, morality, gender roles, hypocrisy, superficiality, social exclusivity, characterization, Lady Windermere, Mrs. Erlynne, Oscar Wilde, dramatic irony.
Frequently Asked Questions: Lady Windermere's Fan Analysis
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper offers a comprehensive analysis of Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan, examining its social and moral commentary within the context of Victorian society. The analysis focuses on how Wilde uses characterization, plot, and dialogue to critique the hypocrisy, superficiality, and exclusivity of the upper classes. Key themes explored include the dichotomy of "good" versus "bad" women, the exclusivity of Victorian high society, and the superficiality of social interactions.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis of Lady Windermere's Fan?
The analysis delves into several key themes: the contrasting societal expectations and roles of "good" and "bad" women; the difficulties of belonging within the exclusive and artificial world of Victorian high society; the hypocrisy and superficiality underlying social interactions and communication styles; the exploration of moral ambiguity; and Wilde's critique of Victorian values through dramatic irony and character development.
How is the analysis structured?
The analysis is structured around several chapters. It begins with an introduction setting the historical and social context. A substantial section then explores the central theme of "good" versus "bad," focusing on Lady Windermere and Mrs. Erlynne, examining Wilde's characterization techniques and plot development. Further chapters analyze the exclusivity of Victorian society, the hypocrisy and superficiality prevalent in social interactions (particularly through dialogue analysis), and concludes with a summary of the findings.
What specific aspects of the play are analyzed?
The analysis examines various aspects of the play, including characterization (particularly of Lady Windermere and Mrs. Erlynne), plot development (exploring the progression of suspicion and revelation), dialogue analysis (focusing on communication styles that reflect social hypocrisy), and the use of dramatic irony to critique Victorian values. The analysis also investigates the use of space and information control to create suspense and highlight moral ambiguities.
What are the main conclusions of this analysis?
The analysis concludes that Wilde skillfully uses various literary techniques to expose the hypocrisy, superficiality, and exclusivity of Victorian high society. Through his characters and plot, Wilde challenges conventional morality and forces the audience to reconsider their own judgments. The analysis highlights the complexity of moral issues and the social pressures faced by women in Victorian England.
What keywords best describe the content of this analysis?
Keywords associated with this analysis include: Victorian society, social criticism, morality, gender roles, hypocrisy, superficiality, social exclusivity, characterization, Lady Windermere, Mrs. Erlynne, Oscar Wilde, dramatic irony.
What is the purpose of the chapter summaries provided?
The chapter summaries provide a concise overview of the content and focus of each section of the analysis. They serve as a roadmap to the argumentative structure, highlighting the main points discussed within each chapter and offering a preview of the overall analysis.
- Quote paper
- Christina König (Author), 2003, Social Criticism in Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/18579
