Monologue

Gerald Monologue from A Woman of No Importance

From A Woman of No Importance by Oscar Wilde

male · defiant · 1:31 min

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Then I have my ambition left, at any rate. That is something—I am glad I have that! You have always tried to crush my ambition, mother—haven’t you? You have told me that the world is a wicked place, that success is not worth having, that society is shallow, and all that sort of thing—well, I don’t believe it, mother. I think the world must be delightful. I think society must be exquisite. I think success is a thing worth having. You have been wrong in all that you taught me, mother, quite wrong. Lord Illingworth is a successful man. He is a fashionable man. He is a man who lives in the world and for it. Well, I would give anything to be just like Lord Illingworth. (MRS. ARBUTHNOT: I would sooner see you dead.) Mother, what is your objection to Lord Illingworth? Tell me—tell me right out. What is it? (MRS. ARBUTHNOT: He is a bad man.) In what way bad? I don’t understand what you mean.

About this piece

Gerald confronts his mother about her negative views on ambition and society, expressing his desire to succeed and be like Lord Illingworth.

20s · determination · ambition · family · identity · society

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