Study Guide by Arpita Karwa

A Woman of No Importance by Oscar Wilde

secretary of Lord Illingworth. When asked for a reason,

she refuses to share it. Mrs. Arbuthnot knows that
Gerald loves Hester, who detests the idea of an unmar-
ried mother. She tells the story of how Gerald was
conceived, in the third person.

Hester informs Gerald that Lord Illingworth tried to kiss

her. Gerald is infuriated but as he is about to attack

m
Illingworth, Arbuthnot comes in and tells him that he is
his father. Gerald is shocked. He writes a letter to his
father the next day. He asks him to marry his mother
and also denies the offer to become his secretary.

co
‘A Woman of No Importance’ is a play written by Oscar
Wilde in 1893. It satirizes the way of living of the Mrs. Arbuthnot tells Gerald that she doesn’t want to
upper-class English society during the nineteenth century. make her life appear as a joke by marrying Lord Illing-
worth now. Hester overhears their conversation and
agrees with Mrs. Arbuthnot’s decision. Hester also tells
a.
Lady Hunstanton has thrown a party on a terrace at her
estate. Lady Caroline Pontefract (a dominant wife, low on
intellect) is one of the guests. She decides to get along with
Hester Worsley, a wealthy young American woman.
Gerald that she wants to utilize her fortune in taking
care of him and his mother.
w
Hester reveals his fondness for Gerald Arbuthnot (a young Lord Illingworth arrives to meet Mrs. Arbuthnot. He
clerk), who enters the party and excitedly breaks the news tells her that she is ready to marry her and accept Gerald
that Lord Illingworth (a womaniser) has made him his as his son. However, Mrs. Arbuthnot says she hates him.
secretary. Lord Illingworth confesses that earlier he only took Mrs.
r

Arbuthnot as his mistress. This angers her and she slaps

him with his own glove. Lord Illingworth leaves. Gerald
ka

Lady Hunstanton is delighted to hear the news and

decides to invite Mrs. Arbuthnot (Gerald’s mother) to join
the celebration at her estate. Lord Illingworth becomes
flirtatious with the intelligent Mrs. Allonby (a woman
highly regarded in the fashionable social circles in
ta
and Hester enter. Gerald looks at the gloves and asks
who just visited. His mother replies: “a man of no
importance”.

London). Both start discussing Hester’s virginity. Lord

Illingworth claims he can make any woman lose virginity.
© Copyright 2020 by Arpita Karwa Education Pvt Ltd

Mrs. Allonby challenges him to do it.

Lord Illingworth reads a letter that he has just received

pi

from Mrs. Arbuthnot. Mrs. Allonby asks him who he is

reminded of after reading the letter. He replies: “A woman
of no importance.”
ar

Gerald introduces Lord Illingworth and Mrs. Arbuthnot.

During their conversation Mrs. Arbuthnot reveals that
Gerald is in fact an alleged son of her and Lord Illing-
worth, formerly known as George Harford. During their
early days, when Lord Illingworth found that Mrs.
Arbuthnot was pregnant with his child, he refused to
marry her.

Mrs. Arbuthnot expresses dislike for Gerald becoming the

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 Study Guide by Arpita Karwa

Mind Map

Lady Jane
Hunstanton
hostess of the dinner party where
all events of the play occur.

Guests at Party

Lovers Son
Mrs. Allonby Hester Gerald Mrs. Arbuthnot Lord Illingworth Lady Caroline Pontefract

respected for her pretty young single mother of Gerald, womaniser, unaware that he is an overpowering
fashion sense in London Son of Mrs Arbuthnot ex-lover of Lord Illingworth Gerald’s father until later in the play woman with low intellect
American girl

Son

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