Stylistic Features of Oscar Wilde’s Wrightings

idiots and brilliant lunatics. Just what Society

should be.” (p.175)

“And in England a man who can’t talk morality

twice a week to a large, popular, immoral

audience is quite over as a serious politician.”

(p.210)

“All women become like their mothers. That is

their tragedy. No man does. That is his.” (p.300)

These examples show that irony is a mode of speech in which the opposite of what is said is meant. The speaker of the first example, Mabel Chiltern does not really think that it is good for London Society to consist of “beautiful idiots and brilliant lunatics”. Wilde’s method of ironical usage is mostly direct: he speaks of the decomposition of people, their ideals and values. The effect of irony lies in the striking disparity between what is said and what is meant. This is achieved through the intentional interplay of two meanings, which are in opposition to each other.

e.g. “No woman should have a memory. Memory in a

woman is a beginning of dowdiness”. (p.144)

“My father told me to go to bed an hour ago. I

don’t see why I shouldn’t give you the same

advice. I always pass on good advice. It is the

only thing to do with it. It is never of any use to

oneself.” (p.197)

“I knew we should come to an amicable

agreement.” (p.194)

The context is one most important things when we use irony. The word “advice” is suggested for acceptance if it is good and for rejection if it is not good, but not for passing on it. In fact, Lord Goring, the speaker of this phrase, is a serious person, who knows that a good advice may be very useful. As for the last example, here the word “amicable” is contrary to the word “blackmail” with the help of which this agreement was achieved by Mrs. Chevely. Mrs. Chevely is an “immoralist” of English Society.

e.g. “People are either hunting for husbands or hiding

from them” (p.181)

“Oh, I like tedious, practical subjects. What I don’t

like are tedious, practical people.” (p.189)