Lady Windermere’s Fan
What is Lady Windermere’s Fan about?
Lady Windermere, who suspects that her husband is having an affair, decides to leave him. Her erstwhile rival, Mrs. Erlynne, comes to her rescue, and convinces her to return to Lord Windermere before the situation becomes a scandal. In so doing, Mrs. Erlynne exposes herself to scandal, and must choose between her own reputation and saving the Windermeres’ relationship. Lady Windermere’s Fan was Oscar Wilde’s first hit play, and the first of his enormously popular comedies of society, which culminated with The Importance of Being Earnest . It opened on February 20, 1892 at the St. James’s Theatre in London, and went on to tour the country for months.
Main themes in Lady Windermere’s Fan
Reputation and scandal
Lady Windermere’s Fan thoughtfully explores reputation and scandal through its central conflicts.
Sacrifice and motherhood
Sacrifice and motherhood emerges as a defining element in Lady Windermere’s Fan, shaping character development.
Marriage and fidelity
Marriage and fidelity emerges as a defining element in Lady Windermere’s Fan, shaping character development.
Appearance versus reality
Lady Windermere’s Fan thoughtfully explores appearance versus reality through its central conflicts.
Why Lady Windermere’s Fan is still relevant today
Lady Windermere's Fan demonstrated that Wilde could combine his brilliant wit with dramatic substance. The play's exploration of women's limited options in Victorian society, the importance of reputation, and the possibility of redemption give it depth beneath its sparkling surface. The play remains popular for its combination of social comedy and melodrama, its memorable characters, and Wilde's characteristic epigrams. It shows the dramatist developing the skills that would culminate in The Importance of Being Earnest.
More by this author
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lady Windermere's Fan about?
The play follows Lady Windermere, who suspects her husband of infidelity with the mysterious Mrs. Erlynne. When Lady Windermere makes a rash decision, Mrs. Erlynne sacrifices her own reputation to protect her.
What is the significance of the fan?
The fan is Lady Windermere's birthday present from her husband. She threatens to strike Mrs. Erlynne with it, and later leaves it behind in circumstances that could ruin her reputation.
What is the secret in the play?
Without giving too much away, Mrs. Erlynne has a hidden connection to Lady Windermere that explains her actions and gives the play its emotional depth.
Was Lady Windermere's Fan successful?
Yes, the play was a triumph, establishing Wilde as a major dramatist. Its first night audience included the Prince of Wales, and it ran for months in the West End.
Is this a comedy or a drama?
Lady Windermere's Fan blends social comedy with melodrama. It has Wilde's characteristic wit but also genuine emotional stakes and dramatic tension.