Oscar Wilde’s play A Woman of No Importance centers on the life of Mrs. Arbuthnot and her family. The play revolves around her and her two sons, Gerald and Hester, who are both in love with the same woman, Hester Worsley. Mrs. Arbuthnot wants them to choose a woman of importance, but they refuse. They find themselves tangled in a web of lies and deceit when their father, Lord Illingworth, a pompous and selfish man, gets involved in their matters. He also has an agenda of his own which he means to fulfil at any cost.
Mrs. Arbuthnot, despite being the unfortunate victim of Lord Illingworth’s selfishness, is determined to maintain her pride and dignity. She stands against him for she knows that his ambitions are evil and unscrupulous. Her quiet courage and determination are exemplary as she never waivers in her cause. Further, her dignity and honour come to light when she reveals the truth about Lord Illingworth and his past behaviour.
Meanwhile, Gerald and Hester’s little secrets come to the surface and they are both left ashamed and humiliated. This is further complicated by the fact that Hester’s real identity is not exactly what everyone believes it to be. It is revealed that Hester’s mother was a British aristocrat whereas her father was an American sailor which made her ineligible to be a part of the upper class. However, Mrs. Arbuthnot refuses to judge Hester for her status and shows her unconditional love.
At last, Lord Illingworth realises the value of life and the importance of peace and harmony in a family. He finally apologises to Mrs. Arbuthnot for all the pain he caused her and expresses his regret for what he did. This leads to the realisation that Mrs. Arbuthnot is indeed a woman of importance and she is justly rewarded for her courage and love.
Oscar Wilde’s Writing Style
Oscar Wilde’s writing style has been praised for its wittiness, irony, and satire. He is credited with introducing realism and naturalistic approach to literature. Wilde had a sharp and incisive wit, which is evident in the dialogue of A Woman of No Importance. The lighthearted humour and the characters’ self important remarks bring out the pomposity of the high society. Wilde also criticises their shallowness and superficiality.
The characters in A Woman of No Importance are beautifully drawn and evoke empathy. Mrs. Arbuthnot especially stands out, who is no doubt the moral centre of the play. Wilde portrays her as a strong and honourable woman with a strong resolve, who is willing to face any form of oppression or injustice. She is a character of genuine strength, who knows what she wants and is determined to get it without compromising her principles.
Wilde also uses vivid imagery in the play to describe the different personalities of the characters and their emotions. This made the play more vivid and alive. Moreover, Wilde’s writing is laced with comedy which is further highlighted by his trademark twist of the conclusion.
Themes of A Woman of No Importance
Oscar Wilde’s plays, particularly A Woman of No Importance, have been often criticised for their superficiality and lack of moral depth. Wilde himself did not subscribe to notions of moral or ethical superiority, instead choosing to focus on the bleak reality of real life. He exposes the dark and unpleasant truths about the conniving, unethical behaviour present in the upper class.
A Woman of No Importance is a play about love and devotion. It speaks about the strength of relationships and how compassion and tolerance can prevail in such situations. It also highlights the fact that money and status are no proof of personal worth, as is often valued by society’s upper classes. Mrs. Arbuthnot’s unconditional love ensures that Hester and Gerald’s relationship triumphs over social stigma and false pretensions.
The play also offers a commentary on the conflict between tradition and progress. Lord Illingworth reflects the typical Victorian era man whose rigid Victorian beliefs and antiquated way of life conflict with the growing liberalism of the society during his time. It is also a commentary on how no one is above reproach, as we see Lord Illingworth is also judged by other characters when his past is revealed.
Mrs. Arbuthnot’s Character Analysis
Mrs. Arbuthnot is a fatherly figure in the play, who has great power and influence in the decision-making process. She is the moral centre of the play and her love and understanding influence the characters in A Woman of No Importance. She is a strong and intuitive woman who can see through people’s motives and actions.
Mrs. Arbuthnot is a devout Christian and her faith guides her decisions and actions. Her unflinching loyalty and selfless nature is both inspirational and commendable. She stands for true values such as honesty, dignity, and love and has a strong opinion about what is right and wrong. She is also very protective of her family, especially her sons, and makes sure that they pursue happiness and honour above all else.
Mrs. Arbuthnot stands tall and strong in the face of adversity. She withstands insults and ill-treatment by Lord Illingworth, who claims to be a higher authority. She holds her own even when others try to keep her down. Mrs. Arbuthnot’s nature to stand up for her beliefs and her strength of character makes her a woman of genuine importance.
Lord Illingworth’s Character Analysis
Lord Illingworth is a typical upper-class Victorian man, who is pompous and arrogant in his attitude. He is a selfish and callous individual who thinks highly of himself and acts as an authority figure. He is quite obsessed with money, power and position and often uses his influence to get what he wants. He is an epitome of the superficial values of the upper class.
Lord Illingworth is an uncompromising individual who is infuriated when he is not obeyed. Over the course of the play, his true character is revealed, which is uncaring and manipulative. He is willing to go to any lengths to get what he desires and uses people’s emotions to get his way.
Lord Illingworth is also stubborn and close-minded, which is showcased when he refuses to accept the truth about Hester’s true identity. He is only willing to change when he is taunted by the other characters and forced to realise his mistakes. The play also highlights the fact that no one is above censure and criticism and Lord Illingworth’s mistakes are laid bare for everyone to judge him.
Hester Worsley’s Character Analysis
Hester Worsley, who is the leading lady in A Woman of No Importance, is a strong and beautiful woman who commands attention even in a male-dominated society. She is a symbol of independence and is not afraid to go after what she wants. She is highly articulate, proud and confident and is willing to struggle against tedium and tradition.
Hester is independent and opinionated and does not hesitate to express her thoughts, even in the presence of the upper class. She is also a passionate and kind-hearted woman who shows unconditional and compassionate love towards her friends and family. Hester also has great courage and determination as she stands up for her beliefs, even when she is pushed against the wall.
Hester Worsley is discriminated against due to her mixed-heritage, but she chooses to ignore these conventions and goes after her dreams. Furthermore, she refuses to be oppressed and finds a way to gain respect and recognition even in a patriarchal world. Hester Worsley is a woman of courage and determination and is indeed of great importance.
Oscar Wilde’s Philosophy
Oscar Wilde was a firm believer of the notion that art should not be used for moral or religious purposes. Instead, he believed that art should be an escape from the mundane and the audience should be allowed to make up their own minds in terms of interpretation. Wilde’s writings often poked fun at the upper class and also challenged gender roles of the times.
Wilde also believed in exploring the human condition, which is evident in A Woman of No Importance. The play showcases the falseness of the upper class and exposes the darkness of the human soul. However, Wilde puts forth a hopeful message too and speaks of the importance of peace, harmony and family.
Wilde was highly imaginative and believed that “art should fill us with joy and mystery”. His works are often laced with beauty, wit, humour and irony, which is showcased in A Woman of No Importance. He challenged societal norms and conventions, and if anything, A Woman of No Importance proves that Wilde was, indeed, a genius of his time.
The Reception of A Woman of No Importance
A Woman of No Importance was a major success at the time of its release for it was entertaining and thought-provoking. People lauded Wilde for introducing realism and naturalism to theatre and for bringing out the darker side of Victorian society. Wilde was also appreciated for his wit and his apt choice of words.
The play has been adapted into numerous films and television serials, with the 1954 adaptation being the most successful. The play was also performed on the West End stage in London in 1995 to much acclaim.
A Woman of No Importance continues to be appreciated by readers and theatregoers even today. It is a commentary on the shallowness of the upper class and the need to uphold true values in our lives. Wilde’s witty dialogue, the characters and its realistic themes make A Woman of No Importance an inspirational and timeless classic.
The Significance of A Woman of No Importance
A Woman of No Importance is an important work of literature as it highlights the reality of the world and makes us realise that life doesn’t always follow our expectations or desires. The play is an example of an art form that challenges conventions and norms. It challenges the status quo and gives rise to a new perspective of looking at the world.
A Woman of No Importance is an insightful commentary on the false values of society and how these values hinder our progress. It speaks of how we should stay true to our values and reject the pressures of society. Furthermore, the play is a timeless study of the human condition and its re-production over the years has reaffirmed the importance of values such as love and equality.
Wilde’s work is modern and relevant even today. His words, themes and characters continue to evoke passion and motivation in readers. It is also interesting to note that Wilde wrote the play during a time when women were not considered important and he gave them a voice through Mrs. Arbuthnot. This has made A Woman of No Importance an inspiration for us all.
