An Ideal HusbandBy Oscar Wilde

1895

Synopsis When a husband behaves

badly, should a wife always stand by her man? The quest for power and ambition finally catches up with a much-admired politician one night at an elegant party when a past misdeed is revealed by a beautiful stranger. The options are clear – public scandal or the loss of his trusting wife – but how to choose?

Oscar Wilde Born in Dublin, 1854 Wealthy and well-connected

parents Attended Oxford where he

gained a reputation for charm, wit, and conversational ease

Settled in London Became established among

fashionable circles as a poet, art critic, and journalist

Wilde’s Career

Worked as a journalist to support his family

Became editor of the popular magazine Women’s World

The Picture of Dorian Gray brought critical praise and unwanted public attention› First published as a novel in 1891, it was

immediately banned by several booksellers

Wilde’s Star on the Rise

Wilde’s first play, The Duchess of Padua was produced in New York

Wilde’s Lady Windermere’s Fan opened to an all-star audience in London, 1892, to mixed reviews

Wilde followed with the highly acclaimed A Woman of No Importance and his reputation as a popular playwright of considerable talent was consolidated

Wilde as a Tragic Hero

Although married, Wilde was homosexual

In 1891, the married Wilde met Lord Alfred Douglas (Bosie) and they became lovers

Wilde wrote An Ideal Husband when Bosie was in Egypt, having left Wilde due to arguments

Bosie returned to England in April, 1894, and their relationship resumed

The Fall of Wilde

Bosie’s father (the Marquess of Queensbury) disapproved of Wilde and sent Wilde an accusatory card

Wilde charged Queensbury with criminal libel, but Queensbury was quickly acquitted

Wilde was immediately arrested and charged with “acts of gross indecency.”

Queensbury forced a bankruptcy sale of Wilde’s estate

Jury could not come to a verdict, and Wilde was released, pending a second trial

The End of Wilde Wilde’s wife, Constance, urged him to

leave England, but Wilde refused Wilde was convicted in his second trial

and sentenced to two years, hard labor Bosie deserted him during imprisonment Constance initiated divorce proceedings,

but canceled, hoping for reconciliation Wilde’s plays were immediately closed

down Released in 1897, Wilde lived alone and

broke in France until he died in 1900 at the age of 46

Victorian Era

99 years without major war, Waterloo to WWI

Industrial Revolution continues with:New Products, Faster production, Better goods, More jobs

People born poor could work hard and get rich quick

Middle class gains political power

Victorian Reform Life improved for all classes Goods cheaper for everyone because of

factories and trade Reform to improve housing conditions Pave & name streets, number houses, drain

away sewage/blood etc., lights at night and organized a better police force.

Plan cities so that slums/wealthy areas don’t co-exist

The hours children could work was limited to 10. Children received half of the day on Saturday off, and the entire day on Sunday off.

Intellectual Progress Darwin – Origin of Species Industrial revolution now depends upon

scientific advances Science offers rational explanations instead

of religions spiritual revelations Before, people believed and tried for ideal

human comfort- (their goal): Comfort = Happiness

During the Victorian Era, people questioned the meaning of “true happiness.”

Education – In 1859, 40 % of couples signing marriage licenses couldn’t sign own name. By 1900, 90% were literate by 1900

Moral Reform

Progress means we’re morally superior!

Censored literature- all things must be moral w/out sex, corruption.

Male authority still the norm

A woman’s job was to create a nice home for her hardworking husband.

A Comedy of Manners

A genre of play that satirizes the manners of a social class, represented by stock characters such as the fop, the rake, nagging wife, femme fatale, and the bragging soldier

The plot often revolves around a scandal or secret, often with hidden identities revealed

The dialogue is witty

Victorian London Society “The Season” – the

annual period for the socially elite to hold debutante balls, dinner parties, and large charity events. Coincided with the sitting of Parliament – social events figured into the political scheme as most members of Parliament participated in the Season.

Boodle’s club A member’s only private

club for members of the English upper class men.

Functioned as “second homes” where men could relax, mix with friends, get a meal, and even stay the night.

Allowed upper and middle class men with modest incomes to spend time in grand surroundings.

Grosvenor Square

A large garden square in the exclusive Mayfair district of London, England. It was one of the most fashionable residential addresses in London and home to many leading members of the aristocracy.

Political Corruption

Use of information/power by government officials for private gain.

As a young man, Robert Chiltern was persuaded to sell a Cabinet secret to Baron Arnheim. Sir Robert made his fortune with that illicit money.

Blackmail

Political Corruption makes the politician susceptible to blackmail – the threat to reveal damaging information if demands are not met. Mrs. Cheveley initiates blackmail proceedings against Sir Robert Chiltern.

Tabloids

One of the enduring inventions of the Victorian era is the tabloid press. Though having the appearance of traditional newspapers, the new journalism of the 1880s was filled with sex, crime, and scandal

WH

AT W

ILL SIR

RO

BERT D

O?

Will Sir Robert pay the blackmail?ORWill Sir Robert confess his past and risk losing his wife?ORWill Mrs. Cheveley reveal Sir Robert’s past to the tabloids?