A Woman Of No Importance Oscar Wilde

"A Woman of No Importance" is a play by Oscar Wilde, which became a phenomenon of its time. Like Wilde's other society plays, "A Woman of No Importance" satirizes the English upper-class society. The plot centers around the revelation of Mrs. Arbuthnot's long-concealed secret. As the events develop, the author casts light on the perversions in Victorian upper-class society's morals, hypocritical conventions, and general views and conduct.

All four of Wilde's famous plays in one bargain-priced volume.

Characters of the play[edit] Lord Illingworth He is a man of about 45 and a bachelor. He is witty and clever and a practised flirt, who knows how to make himself agreeable to women. He is Mrs. Arbuthnot's former lover and seducer and the father of Gerald Arbuthnot. Also, he has a promising diplomatic career and is shortly to become Ambassador to Vienna. He enjoys the company of Mrs. Allonby, who has a similar witty and amoral outlook to his own, and who also engages in flirting. His accidental acquaintance with Gerald, to whom he offers the post of private secretary, sets in motion the chain of events that form the main plot of the play. Illingworth is a typical Wildean dandy. Mrs. Arbuthnot Apparently a respectable widow who does good work among the poor and is a regular churchgoer. She declines invitations to dinner parties and other social amusements, although she does visit the upper class characters at Lady Hunstanton's, since they all appear to know her and her son, Gerald. However, the audience soon realise that she has a secret past with Lord Illingworth who is the father of her son, Gerald. Gerald Arbuthnot The illegitimate son of Mrs. Arbuthnot and Lord Illingworth. Gerald's young and rather inexperienced character represents the desire to find a place in society, and gain high social standing. His naivety allows him to accept uncritically what society deems as proper, and his belief in honour and duty is what leads him to insist upon his parents' marriage. Mrs. Allonby A flirtatious woman who has a bit of a reputation for controversy. She is not the stereotypical female character and exchanges witty repartee with Lord Illingworth, indeed she could be viewed as a female dandy. It is she who dares Illingworth to "kiss the Puritan." Miss Hester Worsley As an American Puritan and an outsider to the British society in the play, Hester is in an ideal position to witness its faults and shortcomings more clearly than those who are part of it. Hester is both an orphan and an heiress, which allows her to "adopt" Mrs. Arbuthnot as her mother at the end of the play. Jane, Lady Hunstanton The host of the party. Means well but is quite ignorant, shown in her conversation and lack of knowledge. Could be seen as portraying the typical Victorian aristocrat. Lady Caroline Pontefract A very strong bully, shown by her belittling of Mr. Kelvil whom she constantly refers to as Mr. "Kettle." Her traditionalist views are in direct contrast to Mrs Allonby. The Ven. Archdeacon Daubeny, D.D. Seen as the 'ultimate priest' his willingness to 'sacrifice' his free time for the benefit of his wife who is seen as an invalid of dramatic proportions. Shows his discomfort at being within the upper-class social circle. Lady Stutfield A naive and intellectually restricted character that shows her lack of vocabulary with constant repetitions such as her use of the phrase, "Quite, Quite." However this view is a misconception, and those who study the women characters in depth will find Lady Stutfield to be full of ulterior motives and desperate for male attention. Mr. Kelvil, M.P. A stuffily and thoroughly modern progressive moralist. He earnestly wishes to improve society and in particular the lot of the lower classes, but seems to lack the charisma and charm to succeed - for example, he chooses to discuss the monetary standard of bimetallism with Lady Stutfield. Lord Alfred Rufford A stereotypically lazy aristocrat who is constantly in debt with no intentions of paying back his debtors due to him spending other peoples money on luxury items such as jewelry. Sir John Pontefract Husband to Lady Caroline Pontefract, he is a quiet man who allows his wife to control their relationship. He seems weary of his wife's behaviour, constantly correcting her mispronunciation of Mr. Kelvil's name.

Originally published: Oscar Wilde and the candlelight murders. London : John Murray, 2007.

“A lively debut biography of the flamboyant Irish writer . . . focusing on the women who loved and supported him” (Kirkus Reviews). In this essential work, Eleanor Fitzsimons reframes Oscar Wilde’s story and his legacy through the women in his life, including such scintillating figures as Florence Balcombe; actress Lillie Langtry; and his tragic and witty niece, Dolly, who, like Wilde, loved fast cars, cocaine, and foreign women. Fresh, revealing, and entertaining, full of fascinating detail and anecdotes, Wilde’s Women relates the untold story of how a beloved writer and libertine played a vitally sympathetic role on behalf of many women, and how they supported him in the midst of a Victorian society in the process of changing forever. “Fitzsimons reminds us of the many writers, actresses, political activists, professional beauties and aristocratic ladies who helped shape the life and legend of the era’s greatest wit, esthete and sexual martyr . . . provide[s] a potted biography of the multitalented writer and gay icon . . . highly enjoyable.” —The Washington Post “Fitzsimons brilliantly calls attention to the progressive ideas and beliefs which drew the most daring and interesting women of the time to his side. The depth and painstaking care of Fitzsimons’ research is a fitting tribute to Wilde’s fascinating life and exquisite writing—and really, what better compliment is there than that?” —High Voltage

LADY CAROLINE. I believe this is the first English country house you have stayed at, Miss Worsley?HESTER. Yes, Lady Caroline.LADY CAROLINE. You have no country houses, I am told, in America?HESTER. We have not many.LADY CAROLINE. Have you any country? What we should call country?HESTER. [Smiling.] We have the largest country in the world, Lady Caroline. They used to tell us at school that some of our states are as big as France and England put together.LADY CAROLINE. Ah! you must find it very draughty, I should fancy. [To SIR JOHN.] John, you should have your muffler. What is the use of my always knitting mufflers for you if you won't wear them?SIR JOHN. I am quite warm, Caroline, I assure you.LADY CAROLINE. I think not, John. Well, you couldn't come to a more charming place than this, Miss Worsley, though the house is excessively damp, quite unpardonably damp, and dear Lady Hunstanton is sometimes a little lax about the people she asks down here. [To SIR JOHN.] Jane mixes too much. Lord Illingworth, of course, is a man of high distinction. It is a privilege to meet him. And that member of Parliament, Mr. Kettle--SIR JOHN. Kelvil, my love, Kelvil.LADY CAROLINE. He must be quite respectable. One has never heard his name before in the whole course of one's life, which speaks volumes for a man, nowadays. But Mrs. Allonby is hardly a very suitable person.HESTER. I dislike Mrs. Allonby. I dislike her more than I can say.LADY CAROLINE. I am not sure, Miss Worsley, that foreigners like yourself should cultivate likes or dislikes about the people they are invited to meet. Mrs. Allonby is very well born. She is a niece of Lord Brancaster's. It is said, of course, that she ran away twice before she was married. But you know how unfair people often are. I myself don't believe she ran away more than once.HESTER. Mr. Arbuthnot is very charming.LADY CAROLINE. Ah, yes! the young man who has a post in a bank. Lady Hunstanton is most kind in asking him here, and Lord Illingworth seems to have taken quite a fancy to him. I am not sure, however, that Jane is right in taking him out of his position. In my young days, Miss Worsley, one never met any one in society who worked for their living. It was not considered the thing.HESTER. In America those are the people we respect most.LADY CAROLINE. I have no doubt of it.HESTER. Mr. Arbuthnot has a beautiful nature! He is so simple, so sincere. He has one of the most beautiful natures I have ever come across. It is a privilege to meet him.LADY CAROLINE. It is not customary in England, Miss Worsley, for a young lady to speak with such enthusiasm of any person of the opposite sex. English women conceal their feelings till after they are married. They show them then.HESTER. Do you, in England, allow no friendship to exist between a young man and a young girl?[Enter LADY HUNSTANTON, followed by Footman with shawls and a cushion.]LADY CAROLINE. We think it very inadvisable. Jane, I was just saying what a pleasant party you have asked us to meet. You have a wonderful power of selection. It is quite a gift.

The play begins in front of the terrace at Hunstanton country home. Lady Caroline and a young American girl called Hester discuss the life at country homes. Lady Caroline is concerned with her husband Sir John and constantly tells him what to do. Lady Hunstanton joins in the conversation as well. She announces that Gerald Arbuthnot, her friend's young son, found a great job as a secretary to a gentleman called Lord Illingworth. Lady Stutfield and Mrs. Allonby join the scene as well and the women discuss the purpose of women in society. Lord Illingworth enters the scene while one of the women describes him as a very wicked man. Lord Illingworth joins in the conversation being cynical and humorously ironical. The group discuss British politics, American views and morality.Lady Hunstanton receives a letter from Lady Arbuthnot informing that she will join them in the evening. Lord Illingworth and Mrs. Allonby discuss life in their mutual cynical way and Mrs. Allonby challenges Lord Illingworth to kiss the young American puritan girl Hester. The two make a way inside for tea and on the way Lord Illingworth notices Lady Arbuthnot's letter and notices that the handwriting is familiar. Mrs. Allonby asks him who it reminds him of and he tells of no one in particular, a woman of no importance.In the second act Lady Hunstanton, Mrs. Allonby, Lady Stutfield and Lady Caroline discuss the relationship between men and women. Lady Caroline has simple views where married men should listen to their wives and unmarried should be looking for a wife to listen to. Mrs. Allonby has typical, cynical and complicated views. Hester is silently listening in to conversation. After Lady Hunstanton approaches her she angrily comments about their ridiculous views and tells that men and women should equally work together in bettering their lives and equally be punished for their sins.Lady Arbuthnot enters the scene. In her conversation to Lady Hunstanton about her son Gerard and Lord Illingworth she realizes that Lord Illingworth is someone she knows from her past. She calls for Gerard to talk to him. Gerard insists on Lord Illingworth and his mother to meet and Lord Illingworth recognizes Lady Arbuthnot. When they are left alone Lord Illingworth comments how Gerard is his son. The two discuss their past and how Lord Illingworth broke his promise of marrying her even after she got pregnant. Lord Illingworth insists on being a part of Gerard's life now. Gerard joins them and Lady Arbuthnot insists that he refuses Lord Illingworth's offer. Unable to give a rational reason for it she finally gives in and accepts her son's decision.At the picture gallery Lord Illingworth and Gerard discuss life and he gives the young man advice on how to be a valuable part of the society. The rest of the guests enter and talk about the meaning of life. Lady Arbuthnot insists of Gerald to take her home. Gerald wants to say goodbye to Lord Illingworth first. Hester joins Lady Arbuthnot and the two talk about punishments for sins and Hester tells Lady Arbuthnot that both men and women and even their children should be punished for their sins. Hester leaves to get Gerard. Gerard enters and is ready to take his mother home and she begs him to leave Lord Illingworth's side and indirectly tells him her story. Hester enters screaming for help and jumping into Gerard's arms, Lord Illingworth insulted her by trying to kiss her. Furious, Gerard starts for Lord Illingworth but Lady Arbuthnot stops him by finally telling him that he is his father.The final act takes place at Lady Arbuthnot's house. Gerard is writing a letter to Lord Illingworth. Mrs. Allonby and Lady Hunstanton pay Lady Arbuthnot a visit but she is unable to receive them so the two women leave. Lady Arbuthnot joins her son and he reveals to her that he is writing a letter to Lord Illingworth demanding of him to marry her. Lady Arbuthnot is strongly against it and tries to explain...

Oscar Wilde's drama centers around the character of Lady Arbuthnot, the woman of no importance. As is the norm with Wilde, he holds up a mirror to the hypocrisy of society and this time, especially to the double standard applied to the morality of men and women.

Gerald Arbuthnot receives a promotion from Lord Illingworth, a worldly politician who has a sordid history of women, one of whom is Gerald’s widowed mother. When their connection is revealed, the young man questions his past, present and future aspirations. A Woman of No Importance opens with a high-class party featuring a group of society’s most illustrious citizens. In the midst of the event, Gerald Arbuthnot enters and announces his new position as secretary to the renown, Lord Illingworth. It’s an exciting opportunity that pleases Miss Hester Worsley, an American visitor and admirer of Gerald. What should be a cause for celebration becomes an awkward moment of truth between Lord Illingworth and Gerald’s mother, Mrs. Rachel Arbuthnot. Set in the late-nineteenth century, A Woman of No Importance is a commentary on contemporary English society. One family’s façade is broken by a hidden truth testing the relationship of mother and son. It’s a provocative tale about the power of seduction and political ambition. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of A Woman of No Importance is both modern and readable.