Importance
The play's title indicates that the one without importance is a woman, Mrs. Arbuthnot. All important Lord Illingworth upon recognizing the handwriting of Mrs. Arbuthnot tells that it reminds him of a woman of no importance. Lord Illingworth has money, social status and wits to outshine everyone in a conversation. Mrs. Arbuthnot dedicated her whole life to her son. Gerard, not knowing that Lord Illingworth is his father, is tempted by the lavish lifestyle Lord Illingworth offers but, at the end he realizes that the one important to him is his mother who gave him everything. Therefore, at the end the one not having his son by his side, the one not having importance is Lord Illingworth. The true meaning of importance is questioned in the play. Is it the money or social status that shows one's importance or is it something else, something that the money can't buy, like family or love?
Mrs. Arbuthnot's cloak and veil
Mrs. Arbuthnot's cloak and veil are clear symbols of her isolation from the world around her. She is isolated because she committed a terrible sin that the society and the people around her even would judge her for. She is hiding her truth the same way she hides her face with a veil.
Motif of dishonesty
Dishonesty is a recurring motif in the play. When asked by Hester if the position next to Lord Illingworth is making him happy Gerald gives and objective answer indicating his dishonesty with himself. Lady Caroline is constantly chasing her husband around not wanting to see his unhappiness and not wanting to see that Sir John enjoys the company of other women. Mrs. Allonby is constantly sarcastic in conversation and never telling what she truly means. The most important dishonesty in the play is that of Mrs. Arbuthnot who kept the truth hidden from her son and the whole world. Lord Illingworth looks upon honesty with sarcastic contempt.
