Genre
satirical play
Language
English language
Setting and Context
a country house in England, toward the end of 19th century
Narrator and Point of View
Narrator is not part of the play
Point of view: third person
Tone and Mood
Tone: indirect, impartial
Mood: pessimistic, cynical
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist: Mrs. Arbuthnot, Antagonist: Lord Illingworth
Major Conflict
Gerard Arbuthnot gets an offer by Lord Illingworth to work as his secretary.
Climax
Mrs. Arbuthnot tells her son that Lord Illingworth is his father in the moment when Gerard is about to attack him.
Foreshadowing
Lord Illingworth recognizing Mrs. Arbuthnot's handwriting and calling her "a woman of no importance" foreshadows upcoming events.
Understatement
Lord Illingworth understates the damage he's done to Mrs. Arbuthnot and Gerard's love for her.
Allusions
Allusion to The Great Exhibition:
"LADY HUNSTANTON. What is that, dear? Ah, yes, an iron Exhibition, is it not, at that
place that has the curious name?"
Imagery
Imagery of clothing: Mrs. Arbuthnot wearing a cloak and a veil over her face
Paradox
"It is perfectly monstrous the way people go about, nowadays,
saying things against one behind one's back that are absolutely and entirely true."
Parallelism
"LORD ILLINGWORTH. I never intend to grow old. The soul is born old but grows
young. That is the comedy of life.
MRS. ALLONBY. And the body is born young and grows old. That is life's tragedy."
Personification
N/A
Use of Dramatic Devices
Dramatic irony: It is revealed to readers that Gerard is Lord Illingworth's son but Gerard doesn't know this. He obviously feels a strong connection to Lord Illingworth. Mrs. Arbuthnot tries to indirectly tell him her story but Gerard is clueless and does not connect the dots.
Stage directions are present and provide information about the setting of each act; directions for character movements and gestures are present as well.
