Individualism and Society in Lady Windermeres Fan by Oscar Wilde - Essay Example

? Individual and Society in Lady Windermere?s Fan by Oscar Wilde Individual and Society in Lady Windermere?s Fan by Oscar Wilde Introduction Lady Windermere’s Fan by Oscar Wilde was initially produced in 1892 as a four act satirical comedy that explores the lives and society of Victorian England. In Victoria, the society upholds that a scandal is the most unpleasant thing that could happen to members of the society. The novel depicts a humorous yet satirical picture of the Victorian society, especially with regard to aspects of marriage and individual. This paper will examine the play Lady Windermere’s Fan and discuss key aspects such as society and the individual that all seem to influence characters’ behaviours and thoughts. Lady Windermere’s Fan speaks to the interference of societal constraints in individual actions and thought processes. Society and individual determine the nature of persons, as well as their characteristics. The plot centres on the life of Lady Windermere who believes that her husband was having an extra marital affair with another woman, Mrs. Erlynne who as it turns out, is Lady Windermere’s long lost mother who was presumed dead. When Lady Windermere confronts her husband about his infidelity, the latter invites the other woman to his ball. Because of her anger, Lady Windermere abandons her husband for another man and upon realising what has happened; Mrs. Erlynne tries to persuade Lady Windermere to go back to her husband and in the process finds herself in a rather compromising situation. Mrs. Erlynne sacrifices her reputation to salvage Lady Windermere’s marriage. Methodology This paper explores how Wilde’s play Lady Windermere’s Fan depicts the aspects of society and individual. An extensive exploration of literature on the Victorian society will be done in combination with detailed analysis of the play, Lady Windermere’s Fan by exploring its themes and characters. Objectives The objectives of this paper are as follows: 1. To discover the effects of society on individuals by analysing the Victorian society, its norms and values. 2. Realise the perception of individuals in Victorian the society. 3. Compare and contrast people’s identity in relation to society in the Victorian era. 4. Analyse Victorian society in terms of its constraints on individuals. Society in Lady Windermere’s Fan In the novel, Wilde denounces the various societal and social laws, which govern men and women, especially in terms of marriage. For instance, while a husband’s extra marital affair is kept quiet yet publicly opposed; the wife’s reputation is utterly destroyed and is dishonoured in society. According to Lady Windermere, society’s view is that when a woman is full of remorse, she never wishes to go back to the society, which dishonoured or ruined her reputation. In addition, through Lord Darlington, Wilde further calls society out on its deceitfulness. As Lord Darlington notes, many self-important people in the society pretend to be righteous This, in turn, depicts a rather modest and sweet disposition to act as if one is evil (Wilde, 2010). According to Wilde, pretence of righteousness always makes the society and the world take one seriously. However, when one pretends to be bad, the world and society does not take them seriously. This is the epitome of optimism, which plagues certain characters in Lady Windermere’s Fan. The play’s script works rather well for the characters in terms of their moral standing, as well as how their perceptions are altered through the play. The predominant reason why most persons, especially within the Victorian society alter their perceptions and behaviours is to fit in with the societal codes of conduct that seem to dictate even the most basic human choices such as morality. The puritan Victorian society is a merciless society that stresses patriotism, sexual morality, capitalism, work, family and self-discipline (Eagleton & Campbell, 1991). These are pegged on the provisions of codes of conduct among the society’s members rather than people’s own self-will. There is, however, prevalence of inequality in the treatment of men and women. The society typically mistreats its women within various spectrums of social life. Women of the middle and upper classes are not allowed to be in employment, but rather to get married and rear children. In addition, women are offered relatively restricted choices of occupation. This means that because the women in Lady Windermere’s Fan typically had no money of their own, they were resigned to depend on their authoritarian husbands. Women in the puritan Victorian society were rather enthusiastic to marry and begin their own families because that was what the society required of them. Within the Victorian society, the scope of women’s occupational facilities was limited to domestic servitude, dressmaking, teaching and nursing among other meagre-paying jobs. In essence, women’s labour entailed running the household and presenting a pleasant home to their male counterparts. The society also required that women and girls ignore their sexual feelings and honour their husbands as the head of the family. Girls’ education was based on their later marriages by teaching them how to cater for their families. Marriage choices were made by girls’ parents thus marriage was seemingly like a commercial transaction where women are taught to follow and acquire wealth and security in order to maintain a prominent social position and ensure societal admiration. As evident, the society’s hold on people also dictates intricate choices such as their choice of whom to marry, as well as their family lives (Ellmann & Wilde, 2009). The Victorian society is also patriarchal and is centred on double standards when it comes to sexual morality. Ideally, the society requires women to maintain their fidelity in marriage, but their husbands, on the other hand, are allowed to pursue their extra marital affairs through prostitutes and expensive mistresses, which depends on the man’s social class. While Lord Windermere’s relationship with Mrs. Erlynne was not of a sexual nature, the societal women’s perception that the relationship was sexual is perhaps indicative of the prevalence of such incidents amongst male folk in the society (Wilde, 2010). When we consider Victorian laws regarding marriage and sexual morality, it is apparent that the puritan society required women to abide by standards that were quite different from those of men. For instance, according to Marriage Online (2000), the Matrimonial Causes Act of 1857 provided men the opportunity to dissolve their marriages on the basis of their wives’ infidelity, but a woman was only allowed to dissolve her marriage if she could prove that her husband was not only unfaithful, but cruel, as well. Furthermore, the children and all property became the man’s property after marriage dissolution. Considering the double standard in marriage and the realisation that the Victorian society upheld marriage is ironical and speaks to the society’s pretence and stupidity. It is, therefore, quite hypocritical that marriage and premarital, as well as marital chastity, were honoured while none of them certainly existed in real life. Pursuant to societal ideals, women who contravened the accepted standards of moral conduct were banished from society. Such ostracism of women or “fallen-women” as they were called was quite common (Wilde, 2010). One such woman was Mrs. Erlynne who was banished for her presumed extra marital affair with Lord Windermere. Prudish standards in the Victorian society, which denied women most rights that were given to men, ensured that women endured an immense deal since they hardly had any rights. Women were thus resigned to tolerate just about anything. In contrast, the society allowed men to do as they pleased like cheating on their wives without suffering any consequence. Ibsen discovered the conflict between society and individuals. Subsequently, Shaw used Bluntshci to represent the nature of individuals as harbouring ideas of conventional morality, love, war, romantic ideas and feudal notions of the overall role of individuals in society. Shaw uses characters that threaten the facade of the complacent society. Shaw identifies the capacity of individuals to counter the demands of society, as well as society’s disdain towards individuals who are complacent. Shaw used characters such as Bluntschli as satirising objects of society. In addition, Shaw also presents such characters as numeric rather than heroic when they counter the society to better the society. According to Shaw, such a society is only possible if the status of persons in society is not determined by an individual’s status, class or gender. Ideally, the society should consider individuals on their capacities to contribute to the society thus making higher forms of individuals and society. Shaw’s theory of Superman showcases individuals who a free from the illusions of his life and the world as a whole by volunteering himself in the making of Superman. Wilde asserts Shaw’s notion of individuals and society by demystifying society and its effects on individuals. Individuals are quite distinct from society, and Wilde’s depiction of individuals is also consistent with Shaw’s assertion of individuals as not heroic, but rather numeric. Individuals in Lady Windermere’s Fan As a consequence of societal pressures and dictatorships, the characters in Lady Windermere’s Fan lose the essence of their individual identity. According to the Oxford dictionary, individualism refers to the habits or codes of behaviour that allow a person to be independent and self-reliant. Such self-reliance must be present in among other things a person’s actions and thoughts. Individualism defines an individual, who is the essence of society. As earlier cited, the views and perceptions of characters in the play shift according to societal pressures and requirements. According to the puritanical Lady Windermere, while life is a sacrament whose ideals include love and sacrifice, one cannot categorise people by judging their goodness or badness as virtuous people sometimes do terrible things and unscrupulous people do respectable things. The society is not appreciative of individuals who express unique choices different from those of the society. For instance, people turn away from Mrs. Erylnne and shun her because she takes no notice of married life. Furthermore, Mrs. Erylnne is viewed as an outlaw because she prefers to live under the hospitable nature of persons outside England rather than stay in the strict puritan society. The extent of people’s disdain towards Mrs. Erylnne personal choice to remain unmarried is evident through Lord Darlington’s remarks regarding Mrs. Erylnne. As Lord Darlington quips, it is better for one to endure external misfortunes rather than those that come through a person’s own faults (Wilde, 2010). According to the puritan society, by a woman being unmarried, she is unrighteous and ill mannered. Wilde’s play categorises people into two broad groups, i.e. charming and tedious. This means that one’s individuality has to be altered to fit in either of the two, with the first character being the most desirable. Despite one’s innate goodness and sacrifice, if he or she does not abide by societal rules, she or he is regarded as tedious thus dismissing such goodness. Wilde supported and advocated for rebellion against repressive societal constrains, especially meted on women. Rebellion is an integral and necessary feature in society as it enables people to maintain their individual identities. Through her actions and decisions, Mrs. Erlynne’s disproval of the societal constraints, which dictated that she must marry, Mrs. Erlynne rebelled against the societal constraints and stuck to her individual decision making. In contrast, women such as Lady Windermere preferred to remarry immediately after leaving her matrimonial home. This was primarily to avoid being shunned by the society, as well as maintain her societal dignity. This is evident of the deterrence of society for people to perform their individual choices and conduct their lives in the manner they deem fit. Individuals should be able to make their individual choices or decisions on pertinent matters that affect their lives. Mrs. Erlynne impersonates the typical fallen woman in the Victorian society and era. She is middle-aged, elegant, beautiful and a victim of mean and ruthless gossip as a result of her past. The Duchess of Berwick asserts, of Mrs. Erlynne, that while all women have pasts, Mrs. Erlynne has more than one past that are marred by many disreputable relations with men. As a consequence, Mrs. Erlynne has a bad reputation in the puritan society and all other women look down on her while men are seemingly attracted to her. As a result of her past, as well as her disregard for societal standards of conduct, Mrs. Erlynne is deemed inadmissible to the Victorian society. Only the audience knows the true story of Mrs. Erlynne’s life, and it is through this knowledge that one gets to appreciate Mrs. Erlynne’s character and individual identity, which according to Wilde is a vital component in moving beyond societal constraints. Her actions and behaviour are as a result of her past experiences (Beckson, 2008). However, through numerous characters in the play were realise the hypocritical nature of people. Lord Windermere who assumedly upholds righteous conduct allows himself to be blackmailed by Mrs. Erlynne. Lord Windermer is notably more interested in deterring a scandal than telling his wife the truth about her mother’s whereabouts. This speaks to Lord Windermere’s personality as a hypocritical and selfish man. Mrs. Erlynne, on the other hand, uses her disdain for the Victorian societal rules as a facade as we realise that she still wants to join the English society by blackmailing her wealthy son-in-law. Mrs. Erlynne’s individual identity triumphs over the society as she is able to maintain her individual identity, while still maintaining her position in society. Wilde’s use of the character of Mrs. Erlynne is impressive of the capacity of persons to surpass societal constraints and uphold their identity. Individuals are able to set aside the barriers imposed on them by societal norms and values. The essence of individuals in the play is typified by Wilde’s use of characters who are either influenced or not influenced by society. Conclusion Lady Windermere’s Fan is an impressive piece of work as it speaks to the influencers of people’s characters and thought processes. The society, for instance, is a key determinant of people’s actions in Victorian society, but Wilde uses certain characters to show that society does not necessarily have to hold one captive as one can exercise his/her individual identity. The Victorian society was a puritan society that hypocritically upheld traits that even its supporters did not have. The irony of the society is that, despite its support for marriage, ethical behaviour and sexual morality, the members of the society did not abide by these rules. Anyone who contravened these codes publicly was shunned and excommunicated (Clayworth, 2007). This paper has also looked into the aspect of individual identity, identifying the various personalities displayed within the play. It is quite apparent that, in the Victorian era, individuals were inferior to the society and its demands and constraints. Despite people’s desire for self-reliance, the society was still a considerable deterrent as it disallowed persons to showcase their true individuality and personality. This paper has provided an outlook of Victorian society, its values and norms, detailing the identities of numerous characters such as Mrs. Erlynne’s disdain for societal pressures. The paper has also distinguished and differentiated characters’ identity, especially in relation to societal values, norms and constraints through the exploration of Victorian society’s constraints on its populace. References Beckson, K. E. (2008). The Oscar Wilde Encyclopedia. AMS Studies in the Nineteenth Century (18th ed.). New York: AMS Press. Clayworth, A. (2007). The Woman's World. Oscar Wilde as Editor: 1996 Vanarsdel Prize". Victorian Periodicals Review (Maryland: The Johns Hopkins University Press on behalf of the Research Society for Victorian Periodicals) 30 (2): 84–101.  Eagleton, T. & Campbell, D. (2010). Wilde, Oscar’s Plays, Prose Writings, and Poems. London: McGraw Hill. Ellmann, R. & Wilde, O. (2009). A Collection of Critical Essays. New Jersey: Prentice Hall Incorporated. Marriage Online (2000). Marriage: History of Laws. Retrieved from http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/wmarriage.htm Wilde, O. (2010). Lady Windermere's Fan. published in The Importance of Being Earnest and Other Plays. London: Penguin. Wilde, O. (2005). Lady Windermere's Fan. London: Nick Hern Books. Read More