Monologue

Lord Illingworth Monologue from A Woman of No Importance

From A Woman of No Importance by Oscar Wilde

male · defiant · 2:21 min

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My dear Rachel, I must candidly say that I think Gerald’s future considerably more important than your past. (MRS. ARBUTHNOT: Gerald cannot separate his future from my past.) That is exactly what he should do. That is exactly what you should help him to do. What a typical woman you are! You talk sentimentally, and you are thoroughly selfish the whole time. But don’t let us have a scene. Rachel, I want you to look at this matter from the common-sense point of view, from the point of view of what is best for our son, leaving you and me out of the question. What is our son at present? An underpaid clerk in a small Provincial Bank in a third-rate English town. If you imagine he is quite happy in such a position, you are mistaken. He is thoroughly discontented. (MRS. ARBUTHNOT: He was not discontented till he met you. You have made him so.) Of course, I made him so. Discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or a nation. But I did not leave him with a mere longing for things he could not get. No, I made him a charming offer. He jumped at it, I need hardly say. Any young man would. And now, simply because it turns out that I am the boy’s own father and he my own son, you propose practically to ruin his career. That is to say, if I were a perfect stranger, you would allow Gerald to go away with me, but as he is my own flesh and blood you won’t. How utterly illogical you are!

About this piece

Lord Illingworth confronts another character about the illogicality of their objections to his relationship with his son, revealing his frustration and the complexities of paternal ties.

40s · anger · family · power · identity · betrayal

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