Monologue

Lady Markby Monologue from An Ideal Husband

From An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde

female · contemplative · 2:24 min

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No thanks, dear. (The servants go out.) The fact is, I have promised to go round for ten minutes to see poor Lady Brancaster, who is in very great trouble. Her daughter, quite a well-brought-up girl, too, has actually become engaged to be married to a curate in Shropshire. It is very sad, very sad indeed. I can’t understand this modern mania for curates. In my time we girls saw them, of course, running about the place like rabbits. But we never took any notice of them, I need hardly say. But I am told that nowadays country society is quite honeycombed with them. I think it most irreligious. And then the eldest son has quarrelled with his father, and it is said that when they meet at the club Lord Brancaster always hides himself behind the money article in The Times. However, I believe that is quite a common occurrence nowadays and that they have to take in extra copies of The Times at all the clubs in St. James’s Street; there are so many sons who won’t have anything to do with their fathers, and so many fathers who won’t speak to their sons. I think myself, it is very much to be regretted. (MRS. CHEVELEY: So do I. Fathers have so much to learn from their sons nowadays.) Really, dear? What? (MRS. CHEVELEY: The art of living. The only really Fine Art we have produced in modern times.) (Shaking her head.) Ah! I am afraid Lord Brancaster knew a good deal about that. More than his poor wife ever did. (Turning to LADY CHILTERN.) You know Lady Brancaster, don’t you, dear?

About this piece

Lady Markby reflects on the troubles of Lady Brancaster and the changing dynamics of modern society, particularly regarding familial relationships and societal norms.

40s · sadness · family · society · tradition · isolation

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