Oscar Wilde is perhaps one of the most celebrated writers of all time. His work has been captivating generations of readers and he has been credited with revolutionizing literature. His greatest accomplishment, however, lies in his exploration of the inner depths of the human condition, particularly with regard to the female condition. Throughout his works, Wilde paints a portrait of a truly good woman – a woman who is strong, independent, and confident in her own capabilities, but also humble enough to accept love and compassion when deserved.
Wilde’s exploration of this “good” woman begins in his play The Picture of Dorian Gray. In the character of Sibyl Vane, Wilde creates a heroine who expresses love unhesitatingly, even when it is clearly offered under false pretenses. She loves sincerely and without a second thought, which to Wilde signifies a purity of soul that is extremely hard to find in modern society. Similarly, in Dorian’s aunt, Lady Alexandra, Wilde paints a picture of a woman who is strong-willed and independent, yet understands the important of human connections. She understands the necessity of love forming relationships and puts herself at risk for her loved ones.
The importance of Wilde’s ‘good’ woman, also known as ‘New Woman’, doesn’t go unnoticed in his short stories either. In ‘The Happy Prince’, the Prince is married to a true lady, whose selflessness and devotion to others is what ultimately redeems not only the Prince but also the whole city. Similarly, in ‘The Nightingale and the Rose’, Wilde paints a picture of a woman who, despite her fragile appearance, is strong enough to make a commitment, even when it is neither reward nor necessarily sensible. In this way, Wilde challenges the strict gender roles assigned to men and women in Victorian society.
Wilde also challenges the notions of a ‘good’ woman in his novel The Importance of Being Earnest. Here, a woman like Gwendolen Fairfax is seen as an equal to her male counterparts. She is strong-willed and will not compromise on matters she feels strongly about, but is also open to new relationships and experiences. Dubliners from Wilde’s short story collection of the same name are also presented as complex characters exploring their inner and outer struggles. They not only portray dysfunctionalities of relationships, but also the intricacies of the human heart.
In sum, Oscar Wilde created characters that explore the full spectrum of the female condition. Whether it be Sibyl Vane’s selflessness in The Picture of Dorian Gray or Gwendolen Fairfax’s spirit of never settling for anything less than a fair deal in The Importance of Being Earnest, Wilde’s female characters show that a ‘good woman’ can encompass a wide range of qualities and characteristics.
A Good Woman and Her Moral Compass
When trying to define a ‘good woman,’ perhaps the most important thing to consider is her moral compass. In Oscar Wilde’s works, the ‘good woman’ is driven by a strong sense of morality – a clear set of values and principles that set her apart from those around her. This sense of morality is expressed in a number of his works, most notably in ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’, where Sybil’s strong moral code at times is greater than her sense for self-preservation. Similarly, in ‘The Happy Prince,’ Wilde paints a picture of a woman whose love is guided by her moral values, even when it’s inconveniently done.
The moral compass of a ‘good’ woman is also evident in the character of Gwendolen Fairfax in The Importance of Being Earnest. She has a quite strong set of values, including a set of rules that she follows to determine how she should treat her suitors. This is heightened by her life choices, such as her decision to break with the norms of society. In this, she exemplifies what it means to be a ‘good’ woman in Wilde’s eyes – she uses her moral compass to decide the right course of action, even if it means going against the grain of society.
The moral compass of a ‘good’ woman is also juxtaposed to the moral compass of a likeable ‘bad’ one, a debauched or pretentious woman, in Wilde’s works. In The Picture of Dorian Gray, Lady Alexandra is presented as often seeking the comfort of material things and the status that comes with them. Similarly, in The Nightingale and the Rose, we are introduced to a smaller woman who neglects her relationships in order to be successful in the eyes of society and an emphasis of living the socialite life. Through these characters, Wilde presents a stark contrast between moral compasses and gives the readers of his works the ability to choose between the two.
A Good Woman and Her Responsibility
Another important aspect of a ‘good’ woman, as seen in Wilde’s works, is her sense of responsibility. Wilde presents these women as reliable and devoted to their duties, whether it’s to a cause, a group, or even to themselves. We see this in the character of Lady Alexandra in The Picture of Dorian Gray, who is unafraid to take responsibility for her actions even when they may not be the right ones. Similarly, the ‘good’ woman in ‘The Happy Prince’ is willing to carry out her duties as a wife and mother despite the conditions in which they are placed.
The sense of responsibility is also seen in Wilde’s female characters in An Ideal Husband. Here, the character of Mrs. Cheveley is a good example of a woman who realizes her sense of duty and was willing to take a great risk in order to fulfill it. We also see this duty in Gwendolen Fairfax’s character in The Importance of Being Earnest. By refusing to surrender to societal conventions, she is willing to accept the consequences of her decisions and take responsibility for them.
A sense of responsibility is also seen in the smaller characters that occupy Wilde’s short stories. In ‘The Nightingale and the Rose’ we are introduced to a woman who is willing to sacrifice her time and energy for the sake of a greater good, even when she does not understand what that greater good is. By recognizing her responsibility, even when faced with difficult choices, she reminds us of Wilde’s belief in the strength of the female spirit and her never-ending sense of duty.
A Good Woman and Her Strength
Central to Wilde’s construction of a ‘good’ woman is her strength. He paints a picture of a woman who is unafraid to show her emotions yet strong enough to handle whatever life may throw at her. She is both capable of compassion and the ability to stand up for what she believes in without fail. In ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ Wilde’s portrayal of Sibyl Vane as a strong woman has been seen as a contrast to the frivolous and overly sensitive women of the Victorian era.
Wilde also presents strength in his short stories, such as in ‘The Happy Prince.’ Here the prince’s wife is strong enough to bear all the hardship of her husband’s death and move on with her life, not just for herself but also for the sake of their children. Also in ‘The Nightingale and the Rose’, the woman’s strength is commendable. Here Wilde paints a picture of a woman who, despite her frail appearance, is determined enough to keep going and not let the world’s cruelness drag her down.
In The Importance of Being Earnest, Wilde also paints a picture of a strong woman in Gwendolen Fairfax. She is firm in her convictions and able to hold her own in a room of powerful men. She is unafraid to speak her mind and stand up to anyone, making her a powerful role model for women in Victorian society and beyond.
A Good Woman and Her Resilience
Last but not least, Wilde’s ‘good’ woman is resilient. She is determined and strong-willed, and never gives up on what she believes in, no matter how hard it gets. Even though she may face numerous obstacles, she never lets them stop her. This resilience is seen in Sibyl Vane in The Picture of Dorian Gray, who endures the pain of unrequited love with a resilience that other women characters of Victorian literature lack.
We also see this in ‘The Happy Prince’, where the prince’s wife faces the death of her husband with great emotional strength. Her composure and willingness to keep going for the sake of her children is inspiring and proves Wilde’s point about female strength. In The Importance of Being Earnest, we also see resilience in Gwendolen Fairfax’s character. Despite society’s opinion of her, she is determined to stand up for what she believes in.
The resilience of Wilde’s female characters is further seen in his short stories. In ‘The Nightingale and the Rose’, we observe the small woman’s refusal to give in to the world’s cruelty, a testament to Wilde’s belief in the power of resiliency. Similarly, in ‘The Remarkable Rocket’, we are introduced to a woman who endures a marriage of convenience only to embrace freedom and individuality at the end.
A Good Woman and Her Morality
At its core, Oscar Wilde’s ‘good’ woman is grounded in her sense of morality. This is seen in Sibyl Vane’s purity of soul in The Picture of Dorian Gray, Lady Alexandra’s unselfish love for her family, and Gwendolen Fairfax’s refusal to compromise on matters of principle in The Importance of Being Earnest. Amidst complex relationships and difficult decisions, Wilde’s female characters are able to remain true to their internal moral compass, even when this means going against societal norms.
Wilde’s ‘good’ woman is also characterized by her adherence to a certain set of moral standards, evinced in her sense of right and wrong, regardless of the nature of her relationships. We see this in the woman’s decision to sacrifice her life for the love of others in ‘The Happy Prince’ and the small woman’s faithfulness to her commitment in ‘The Nightingale and the Rose’. Similarly, in ‘The Remarkable Rocket’, the woman faces ridicule and judgment due to her opinions, yet never wavers from what she believes to be true.
Ultimately, Wilde’s exploration of a ‘good’ woman leads to a complex range of characters that remind us that moral rectitude is possible even amidst the cruelties of the world. Thus, Wilde remains a powerful voice on the female condition and serves as a powerful reminder that morality can be found in all of us.
