The Victorian Era of Britain is considered the height of the industrial revolution in Britain and the apex of the British Empire. It is often defined as the years from 1837 to 1901 when Victoria of the United Kingdom reigned.
Victorian era recognized men as a perfect model in family. A man should be as perfect as possible even though he actually has some weaknesses. This concept is proven in the play when Lady Chiltren cannot accept what her husband has done and seems does not have any sympathy for him when he has a problem. She seems very upset and disappointed when she found that his husband would do such thing she never imagined before. Sir Robert also seems to know this will happen, therefore he decides to hide his problem rather than tell it to his wife.
Besides, the spreading information is not as fast as nowadays. In this era, newspaper holds the enormous power in reporting the news, but not all of the information is published. For instance, in the play, Mrs. Cheveley asks Sir Robert to fulfill her intension by threating him that she will show his black past to other people. Fortunately, it never be published, and in the end the newspaper raises Sir Robert’s career by publishing and praising his speech denouncing the Argentine Canal scheme. Indeed, the newspaper has influence to someone image and career.
Victorian era considers a success man from the wealth. It makes Sir Robert, who was born poor, struggle to raise his status, and takes a shortcut by corrupting. Of course, his greed leads him to unhappiness.
Oscar Wilde also wants to criticize the morality through his characters in the play. Victorian era has a lot of people who are hypocritical, means have two faces. It is proven by Mrs. Cheveley. In the past, when she was in same school as Lady Chiltren, she had taken something that did not belong to her, but she did not want to admit it. She also blackmailed Sir Robert for her intension. In the end, her lack of morality gives her nothing.
References:
wingateenglish.weebly.com
Pic Source:
http://www.express.
By:
(15020154028) Chasika Dhi Tsalaza
(15020154033) Samrotul Munfaati
(15020154037) Bryan Pandu W.
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