The Same Way of Life Between the 19th centuries Life and in The Story of “An Ideal Husband”

The story “An Ideal Husband” use the 19th centuries time setting. Even though “An Ideal Husband” is not based on true story, in fact there are some similarities between the lifestyle in the story and the real life.

1. The Dandy 

Dandies, of which there are many in Wilde’s play, are phenomenon of 19th centuries. Dandies were men that known for their commitment to fashion, usually extravagant fashion and their love for all things beautiful in general.1 In an ideal husband story, the word “dandy” is very suitable with Lord Goring characteristic. It is because in this story, his appearance was described as a flawless dandy. Also in the act III he dressed elegantly. He stands in immediate relation to modern life and he looks so masters it. Therefore he is "the first well-dressed philosopher in the history of thought". A man who does not need to have a job and lives only for pleasure.

2. Feminism
Rights and privileges of Victorian women were limited, and both single and married women had hardships and disadvantages they had to live with. Victorian women had disadvantages both financially and sexually, enduring inequalities within their marriages and social statuses, distinct differences in men and women’s rights took place during this era; so men were provided with more stability, financial status and power over their homes and women.1 
For the proof is in dialogue between Lady Basildon and Mrs. Marchmont,

Lady Basildon : What martyrs we are, dear Margaret!Mrs. Marchmont : [Rising.] And how well it becomes us, Olivia!

From that dialogue, we can see that they are willing to suffer conversation with boring men makes these women more attractive. Another example is in the Lord Caversham dialogue,

Lord Caversham : No woman, plain or pretty, has any common sense at all, sir. Common sense is the privilege of our sex.

We can see that from the dialogue above that Lord Caversham is underestimated the women.

3. The Marriage 

Girls usually married in their early to mid-20s. Typically, the groom would be five years older. Not only did this reinforce the ‘natural’ hierarchy between the sexes, but it also made sound financial sense. A young man needed to be able to show that he earned enough money to support a wife and any future children before the girl’s father would give his permission.3 Here in the story, before Sir Robert Chiltren got married he was poor. So he was doing something that he was not supposed to do which was sold Cabinet secret to a Stockbroker. For the proof we can take a look at Mrs. Cheveley dialogue : 

Mrs. Cheveley : Your house! A house, everything in which has been paid for by fraud. (turns around and sees Sir Robert Chiltren) ask him what the origin of his fortune is! Get him to tell you how he sold to a Stockbroker a Cabinet secret. Learn from him to what you owe your position.

Sources :

1. A Study Guide for Oscar Wilde's "An Ideal Husband" by Gale, Cengage Learning 

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_the_Victorian_era

3. https://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/gender-roles-in-the-19th-century   

4. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjAipSKv9rSAhWHJpQKHcYVByUQjB0IBg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itis-molinari.eu%2FMolinari_old%2Fstudenti%2Fprogetti%2Fdrug%2Fdandysmo.htm&bvm=bv.149397726,bs.1,d.dGc&psig=AFQjCNF2h_52FOOvcLvpuLEf84Rd3a_6PQ&ust=1489735190103065

5. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwift-C6v9rSAhUBPJQKHbgoCw0QjB0IBg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.express.co.uk%2Fnews%2Froyal%2F424881%2FVictoria-A-very-Contrary-Queen&bvm=bv.149397726,bs.1,d.dGc&psig=AFQjCNFD4uxRw4bFFVdbE7jNnxfgWha4Zw&ust=1489735498092533 

6. http://blogs.bu.edu/guidedhistory/moderneurope/ipek-bilici/

7. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwiZkM22wdrSAhUHHpQKHUKHD4UQjB0IBg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbc.ca%2Fnews%2Fworld%2Froyal-marriages-throughout-history-1.1049949&psig=AFQjCNFV1dJarASLIkZ7kHb4rDHFbzPSFQ&ust=1489735961676162

By:

(15020154007) Rizky Nur Octavia

(15020154029) Khusnul Khotimah