“New Historicism is a literary theory based on the idea that literature should be studied and interpreted within the context of both the history of the author and the history of the critic.” Lady Windermere’s Fan applies to the historicist view by showing The Duchess of Berwick’s power over her daughter Lady Agatha Carlisle in order to agree with what society expects during the Victorian era. Men were also considered very dominate in this era just like Lord Windermere and Lord Darlington.Wilde uses the Duchess as a vehicle to portray “the materialism that lies beneath society’s stern morality” (Eltis 92). The Duchess “keeps her daughter ignorant to ensure her marriageability” (92). The typical Victorian woman was thought to be weak and passive. She was taught to be submissive to authority and to keep her opinion to herself or not to have an opinion at all (93). The Duchess of Berwick is an older woman who at first seems polite and nice, but out to be a nasty gossiper. She initiates the disagreement between Lady Windermere and Mrs.Erlynne by gossiping about Mrs. Erlynne and Lord Windermere having an affair. During the play, she is only interested in marrying her daughter, Lady Agatha Carlisle, off to Mr. Hopper who is a very wealthy Australian. The Duchess of Berwick refuses to let her daughter waltz with younger sons because she explains, “It looks so fast!” (Wilde 66). Dancing with the younger boys would put Agatha’s reputation in jeopardy because society would look down on it. Thus, individuals in society had to adhere to the traditional “rules” in order not become an outcast. The duchess only sees Mr. Hopper as “a commodity” (Eltis 92) and nothing more just like many other Victorian mothers see their daughters’ husbands. …
…and charm. When Lord and Lady Windermere were found in a debate discussing whether they would invite Mrs. Erlynne to the party, Lord Windermere dominated this debate and ended it by telling Lady Windermere that he would invite Mrs. Erlynne. This shows that Lady Windermere is less dominant than Lord Windermere, even though the event was going to be held for her because of her birthday.As you can see, men and women during the Victorian era had very different and distinct. Their duties were not based on the individual’s abilities but rather their gender unlike modern day England where an individual’s duties are based on their strengths and weaknesses as a person. Also, modern day women have so much more strength and equality then during the Victorian era where they had to obey their mothers and husbands and couldn’t live their lives the way they wanted to.
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