Explore the Presentation of Women in ‘a Woman of No Importance’ in Light of the Conversation Between Kelvil and Lady Hunstanton (Lines 178-185)

1108 Words5 Pages
Explore the presentation of women in ‘A Woman of No Importance’ in light of the conversation between Kelvil and Lady Hunstanton (Lines 178-185) Morality is a fundamental theme within Wilde’s ‘A Woman of No Importance’. Wilde explores the morality of many of his characters throughout the play in obvious and in subtle ways, using their actions and words to present different concepts of morality. Wilde also uses and explores deeply the influences of both society and religion heavily in the play in order to portray both how women, in particular, were expected to act and how they acted in reality. Written at the turn of the century, however, the play also raises important questions as to the position of ‘modern’ women in a society that is still very traditional, when women were beginning the fight for their rights. Wilde explores the subject of morality frequently within the play and the conflicting ideas surrounding the topic. Wilde particularly explores the idea of women ‘falling from grace’. This can be seen in the character of Mrs Arbuthnot. The character is quite obviously a good, strong woman who has taken her misfortunes in stride and not let them bring her down too much, as well as raising her son to also be a good person. Many people would argue that the blame for her misfortune should solely lay on Lord Illingworth, who, it is obvious to the audience, used her for his own pleasure and satisfaction, abusing her love and trust. From this, it is easy to infer that Wilde himself felt very strongly about the idea of women ‘falling from grace’, not that they have fallen, but about the double standard that came with it; that it was unjust that women should be fully blamed and looked down on by society for being ‘fallen’ when no blame lay with the men who brought about their fall, an attitude that was very uncommon to have to have at the time, espeicially for a

More about Explore the Presentation of Women in ‘a Woman of No Importance’ in Light of the Conversation Between Kelvil and Lady Hunstanton (Lines 178-185)

Open Document