Lady Basildon and her close friend Mrs. Marchmont are the first speakers in Wilde's play, setting the tone with their witty banter. "They are types," Wilde's stage notes say, "of exquisite fragility," and they are female dandies. Lady Basildon and her friend affect a world-weary attitude, pretending to find the fashionable London parties they go to terribly boring. As Lady Basildon says of a different party the two are planning to attend: "Horribly tedious! Never know why I go. Never know why I go anywhere." The duo's worldly sophistication and wit undoubtedly flattered a portion of his audience whom Wilde hoped would enjoy his play, namely fashionable society women.
See Earl of Caversham
Mrs. Cheveley, the villain of Wilde's play,.....
This is a free excerpt of 135 words. This section contains 1,677 words. This
study guide contains 23,299 words (approx. 78 pages at 300
words per page).
Read the rest of this Literature Guide with our An Ideal Husband Access Pass.
