Introduction
Oscar Wilde was an Irish playwright and poet who had a profound influence on the European social and cultural scene in the late 19th century. His works are still studied, admired and respected today and many of his plays continue to be performed. In them, Wilde uses humour to confront and mock the values of the Victorian society, a society that he himself was a part of. When it comes to Wilde’s humour, it is creative and ribald and this article will examine how Wilde mocks Victorian society. First up is a look at how Wilde critiques social class.
Wilde’s Critique of Social Class
One of the most obvious targets of Wilde’s satire is the rigid social class structure of Victorian England. He exposes the disparity between the upper classes and the poor, highlighting the hypocrisies and snobbery within the privileged aristocratic class. Wilde portrays the upper class as frivolous and superficial, focusing on surface wealth and status rather than intellectual pursuits. Even the lower classes are not exempt from Wilde’s criticism. He looks at the way their plight has been largely ignored by the upper classes, stressing their lack of access to education, health care and basic needs such as food and shelter. Through his plays and poetry, Wilde exposes the social inequalities of Victorian England and the hypocrisies of the ruling classes.
Wilde’s Critique of Marriage and Family
Wilde also critiques the attitudes towards marriage and family in Victorian England. He examines the notion of marriages of convenience and criticises the lack of respect for true love as long as someone’s reputation is intact. Lady Bracknell, the mother of Gwendolen in ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’, blatantly states her views on marriage: “To lose one parent, Mr Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness”. Wilde’s wit and sarcasm are cleverly used to undermine the importance of marriage in society. He also makes fun of the rigidly codified system that classified people by profession, birth and even religious denomination.
Wilde’s Critique of Gender
Gender relationships are also criticised by Wilde. In ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ for instance, Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen’s sharply contrasting views on the male-female relationship highlight the different gender expectations of the time. Lady Bracknell believes in the importance of strict codes of respect and etiquette, whereas Gwendolen is determined to pursue her feelings of love, regardless of the social conventions. Through his works, Wilde critiques the traditional notion of gender roles – which was highly valued by Victorian society – and instead embraces the idea of gender equality.
Wilde’s Critique of Education
Moreover, Wilde also criticises educational institutions and their role in reinforcing inequity in Victorian society. His play ‘A Woman of No Importance’ explores how the traditional education system demeans and insults women who lack a proper education. Wilde’s main character, Lady Caroline, exemplifies this as she is constantly reminded of her lack of education and is treated as if her life has no value because she cannot participate in the intellectual conversations of her peers. By being critical of the educational system, Wilde calls attention to the unfairness inherent in Victorian society, and he seeks to empower women in a time when they are often not treated as equals.
Wilde’s Critique of Religion
Religious values and prejudices are also a focus for Wilde’s satire. He ridicules the religious establishment and its insistence on conformity. In his play ‘Salome’, for example, Wilde casts a critical eye towards the Church’s refusal to accept and understand human emotions. By questioning the power of the church and its rigid rules, Wilde implies that the Church should not be seen as a source of moral judgements. Wilde criticises those who use the Church to maintain their power and privilege and by doing so, makes the audience aware of the all too often oppressive structure of Victorian society.
Wilde’s Critique of Morality
Finally, Wilde critiques the dominant morality of Victorian times. His works show a clear disregard for the conventions of propriety and social convention, instead emphasizing freedom and individualism. His play ‘An Ideal Husband’ is particularly concerned with this issue and examines it from an ironic point of view. Wilde’s protagonist is a man with a checkered past who is forced to confront his indiscretions with a cynical eye. The characters all react differently to this situation, and the play highlights the hypocrisy of Victorian morals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Oscar Wilde’s works provide a unique and clever perspective on the values and norms of Victorian England. He mocks the social conventions and hypocrisies of the time period and in doing so, raises questions about how society has and hasn’t changed since then. By looking carefully at Wilde’s works, we can also get a better understanding of his own time period and its values.
