oscar wilde
...bout their society. In act one, Mabel Chiltern, of high society herself, mocks London society and says “Oh, I love London Society! I think it has immensely improved. It is entirely composed now of beautiful idiots and brilliant lunatics. Just what Society should be.” This comment produces thoughtful laughter. The audience laughs and then realizes that the comment holds truth in their society. They see that this is how their society works and they do treat these “brilliant lunatics” and “beautiful idiots” in high esteem. Mabel is of high class herself, which is part of the reason that the laughter becomes thoughtful. She is one of them, and what she says is examined in the minds of the people. This comment evokes laughter because of another reason as well. The audience laughs at the fact that society has “immensely improved” because of these people and thinks that this holds truth in their society and London Society definitely holds these types of people in high esteem. It is a realistic portrayal of their life In response to Lord Caversham’s comment, “Can't make out how you stand London Society. The thing has gone to the dogs, a lot of damned nobodies talking about nothing,” Lord Goring says “I love talking about nothing, father. It is the only thing I know anything about.” The comedy here grows out of the character and provokes thoughtful laughter because the people can relate to this. They laugh at first because of the character Lord Goring’s personality and comments but also because they see truth to this in their own society. Many people in this time enjoy chatting about nothing or simple things because it is what they like to speak about. Basically the message is, talking about noth...