What are Wilde(TM)s dramatic purposes in his presentation of Mrs Allonby?

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Alex Duncan

What are Wilde’s dramatic purposes in his presentation of Mrs Allonby?

Throughout the play Wilde uses many different techniques and themes in order to present the dramatic purpose of Mrs Allonby. The first way he does this is to emphasis her chosen role in the play as that of the female dandy, a role that is mirrored in a male sense by Lord Illingworth. The first example of this attitude comes near the beginning of the play when Lady Hunstanton comments on the beautiful state of the countryside however Mrs Allonby shows her admiration for the scenery but not the lifestyle that comes with it

‘I feel sure that if I lived in the country for six months I should become so unsophisticated that no one would take the slightest notice of me’

This comment is a typical example of the dramatic purpose of Mrs Allonby as it shows her classic arrogance and feeling of superiority as she is suggesting that living in the country is below her and is a demeaning suggestion. The connection between the two dandy’s Mrs Allonby and Lord Illingworth is evident towards the end of the scene when they are left alone on stage and undertake a flirtatious contest of intelligence initiated by Mrs Allonby which signifies to a large extent the way she behaves throughout the whole play and why her purpose is a dramatic one. The flirtatious banter adds a different dimension to the play and represents the perfect partnership and one that emphasises the drama created by the two characters especially Mrs Allonby throughout.

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Another distinctive example of the dramatic female dandy character of Mrs Allonby is later on during the conversation between the women

‘The one advantage of playing with fire, Lady Caroline, is that one never gets singed. It is the people who don’t know how to play with it who get burned up’ this symbolises Mrs Allonby’s dramatic attitude towards men. Mrs Allonby just like Lord Illingworth has a distinct approach towards the opposite sex, she is not afraid to come forward and approach any man she chooses or desires and this one of the major things that makes her ...

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