Is there an ideal husband?

Is there an ideal husband?
Take it easy, I’m not a desperate housewife. ^_^
I just want to discuss about the play seriously.
What’s behind the ideal?

An Ideal Husband is the second book I brought from NEXSUS. It is a famous play written by Oscar Wilde. The writer uses language cleverly and triggers many deep thoughts of mine.

Lord Goring appears as a good-for-nothing man. The following dialogue is one of the most well-known excerpts from An Ideal Husband.
Lord Caversham (Lord Goring’s father): Why do you like London Society so much? It’s full of nobodies talking about nothing.
Lord Goring: I love talking about nothing, Father. It’s the only thing I understand.
Lord Caversham: You seem to live only for fun.
Lord Goring: Why not? What’s more important, Father?

However, when his friend, Sir Robert Chiltern, was hung on “lettergate”, Lord Goring coordinated successfully and solved the crisis thoroughly so that Robert saved his marriage and career. As long last, it was Lord Goring that persuaded lady Chiltern to support Robert Chiltern to gain the high position from the Prime Minister, which was refused by her at first.
On the whole, on one hand, Lord Goring made advantage of London rules to help his friend and kept his secret. On the other hand, he condemned his friend’s dishonesty mildly. In the latter, we can recognize that Lord Goring’s inner side is so justice.

Compared with him, Robert’s another side isn’t as good as Lord Goring’s. To the public, he is a respectful politician and an honest man. In fact, he started from a dishonest bart. So as to gain a position of the government, he needs a great of money. Consequently, he sold a government secret to Baron, a businessman who agreeed to sponsor him.

Take Lord Goring and Robert Chiltern as examples, I argue that following intensions are eternal and common to life.

1. Power and Honesty
“Power” and "honesty" are the words used most frequently in An Ideal Husband. In the play, Mrs Cheveley said, “You’re a man of the world. Everybody has a price”. This notion is quite similar with the British philosopher Hobbes. Borrow Hobbes’ words, everyone pursues power and people treat each other the way wolves do. The truth of the world is so cruel. The value of a person is measured by price. As commodities, those who have high prices are popular and everyone aims at becoming such a so-called successful man. Inevitably, this trend stimulates unfair competitions. That’s why Robert Chiltern chose to sell himself for money.

But, can we pursue “nothing”? Provided we do so, we will keep away from all the outside and inside noises. Actually, that’s the core spirit of Taoism. On the other hand, can we tolerate a life without any purposes? Like Lady Chiltern said, “You need a serious purpose in life”, although the serious life is the ground of unhappiness.

Sine we can’t prevent such a tendency, how should we do to keep balance between power and honesty? I suggest we’d better resort to our heart and listen to its voice. In truth, we know we don’t need so much, and we want money and status only in that others own them. It is deeply sad because we live in the eyes of others. Actually, we are afraid of being subordinate to other people.

In view of this situation, in light of Chinese philosophy, as long as our minds are easy-going with matters, we will experience real peace. In other words, we can be self-sufficient if we limit our desires in the sphere of our ability; otherwise, we will suffer from the pain stemming from the condemn of our consciousness one day. In Lord Goring’s words, “I bought success at a high price”. He is hung on the sense of guilty.

As far as I am concerned, Lord Goring reverses the method and the target. He hopes that he can become a successful honest man, whereas he makes it by means of dishonesty. It sounds ironic; however we all live in some paradox. Perhaps it is human nature. In this sense, are human weak?

2. Men and Women
Men try to look for excuse, and women are inclined to believe men. In this play, even though Lord Chiltern makes a mistake, he blames it for her wife. “That was your mistake. All women make that mistake. You all think that we are perfect. But all men make mistakes. Why don’t you forgive us? We need your love because we aren’t perfect.”

In view of men, wives should support them no matter they are right or wrong. Are men lonely and stereotyped animals? Maybe. And in most cases, women have no other alternatives except believing men. “She must stay with her husband and help him”. Take Lady Chiltern as an example. Provide that she had persisted her belief that we should be honest, she wouldn’t have forgiven Lord Chiltern and then their marriage would come to an end. On the other hand, if she chose to stand on her husband’s side, it meant she had lived in a lie for years. Can she ask for subsidy? Maybe.

To some extent, I think Wilde is qualified to be the editor of the TV series, Sexy and the City inasmuch as he observes men and women so carefully and deeply. He depicts human nature directly, no matter it is kind of tragic.

3. The Bright Side vs. The Dark Side
“Have you got a dark secret in your life?” I think everyone has. Some corner of our minds is dark. Nevertheless, the fundamental nature of human is to fight with these ideas. Now that we can imagine an “ideal” person, it is possible for us to become such a man.


Imagination:

Why not design Lord Goring as a negative figure? Then the play will include betrayal, which makes it more attractive.

Exciting Experts:
(Explicitly, Oscar Wilde is insightful and humorous.)
1. You need a serious purpose in life!
2. Half the people are beautiful and stupid. And the other half are intelligent and crazy.
3. People marry as often as they can. Marriage is very popular, isn’t it?
4. -Who is this charming person you have bought to us?
- Her name’s Mrs Cheveley.
- Everyone wants to meet the charming Mrs Cheveley.
5. I like boring subjects, but I don’t like boring people.
6. I hope that you haven’t put money into it. I’m sure you are much too clever.
7. I don’t feel like looking at paintings. I want to talk business.
8. You’re a man of the world. Everybody has a price.
9. You can’t buy back your past, Sir Robert. Even you haven’t got enough money. Nobody has.
10. Most men don’t listen, but he did.
11. We have the same interests now, so we will be great friends.
12. - I have a strange request.
- I have waited for it all evening.
13. But clever women sometimes make surprising mistakes.
14. We must not judge people by their pasts.
15. We can all make mistakes.
16. And political life is a very difficult business. If you accept help from somebody, then you have to pay. Sooner of later every politician has to do that.
17. I haven’t changed. But things have changed.
18. Dishonesty can never be necessary, Robert. What will it give you? Money? We don’t need it! Power? Power is no good if you use it badly. It’s dishonest!
19. Have you got a dark secret in your life?
20. -I came from a good family, but I was young and poor. If people find out about it now, it will finish me! Is that fair, Arthur?
- Life is never fair.
- Every successful man today needs money. I fought for it and I won. Many other rich men have done the same thing. I wanted my success when I was young.
21. -“Anybody can be successful”, he said. “You need power and money. Those are the most important things in life. And only rich men have power over other men and power in the world”. He was right. Money has given me great power. It has also made me free.
- You don’t believe that, do you?
- I believed it then and I believe it now. You can’t understand – you have never been poor.
- But what did the Baron want from you?
- When I was leaving the said to me, “If you give me any useful secret information. I’ll make you a very rich man”. Six weeks later I received some important papers…
- Government papers?
- Yes.
- I’m surprised at you, Robert. Why were you so weak?
- Weak? I had to be strong and brave. I sat down that afternoon and wrote to Baron Arnheim. That woman has my letter now. Baron Arnheim made seven hundred and fifty thousand pounds as a result of it.
- And you?
- The Baron gave me a hundred and ten thousand.
- That wasn’t much for what you did, Robert.
- That money gave me what I wanted. I went into the House immediately. I had power over others. The Baron sometimes helped me in business and I was successful.
- But tell me, Robert, did you ever feel sorry for your actions?
- No. Many other men have done the same thing. I fought and I won.
- Did you still think that you won?
- I don’t know. Arthur, do you hate me?
- I’m very sorry for you, Robert.
- I have never felt sorry. But I have given away a lot of money to the poor.
- To the poor? Was that really a good idea? Well, I’ll try to help you if I can.
- Thank you, Arthur. But what can we do?
- Well, you can’t tell the world that you made a mistake. People will never listen to you again.
- You’re right, Arthur. I must fight it.
22. - But have you tried money? She always loved money.
- I offered her any sum she wanted. She refused.
- So the rich haven’t got all the power.
- No. Arthur, I’m afraid that I’m going to lose everything. What can I do?
- Robert, she’s a danger to you. You must fight her any way that you can.
- But how?
- I don’t know. But everyone has a weak point. Perhaps she has a secret that she wants to keep.
23. - Oh, Mrs Cheveley is a very modern woman. She probably enjoys it when people find out her secrets.
- Why do you say that?
- Because she likes people to notice her. Did you see the dress she wore last night?
24. Ask the question. But don’t expect an answer.
25. - You have been a good friend to me. Arthur, a very good friend.
- I haven’t done anything for you. Not yet.
- I have talked to you honestly and you have listened. That’s something. Why couldn’t I do that before? And I would love to be hones now.
26. - He has no secret from me. And I don’t think he has any from you.
- No, I don’t think that he has any secrets from me.
(= I think that he doesn’t have any secrets from me, but he has a secret from you.)
- Am I right in my opinion of him? Speak to me honestly.
27. When a man wants to be successful, he will do anything.
28. Of course I’m only talking about life in general.
29. - Every man can be weak at some time. Even men like my father or Robert can make mistake. I’ll give you an example. Imagine that a man writes a letter to someone.
- What kind of letter?
- A letter that must stay secret.
30. She shakes hands with her and looks at Mrs Cheveley.
31. He stays silent.
32. She’s in very great trouble. Her daughter is going to get married, but the man comes from a very ordinary family. It’s really sad.
33. After all these years you haven’t changed, Gertrude. Then life has taught nothing?
34. If people are dishonest once, they will be dishonest a second time. And honest people should keep away from them.
35. sitting back in his chair
36. I have great power over your husband. (She measured the world by power.)
37. In this world we often meet people who are the same as us. Your husband and I are dishonest. You and he are very different. But he and I are closer than friends. We are enemies who have made the same mistakes.
38. You have done your worst.
39. She stands like someone in a terrible dream.
40. You begin your life dishonestly! You didn’t earn your success!
41. - Why did I give my life to you?
- That was your mistake. All women make that mistake. You all think that we are perfect. But all men make mistakes. Why don’t you forgive us? We need your love because we aren’t perfect. I was afraid to show myself to you. I was afraid to lose your love. But now I have lost it. You have taken away my future!
42. She hides her face in her hands and cries like a child.
43. She must stay with her husband and help him.
44. Why do parents always arrive at the wrong time?
45. My doctor says I must not have any serious conversation after ten. If I do, I talk in my sleep.
46. Every important man is married now. Look at Robert Chiltern. He has a good position. How did he get there? Hard work, honesty and marriage with a good woman. Why don’t you do the same thing?
47. Your mother and I are quite unhappy. And you are the reason.
48. She is wearing a green and silver dress and a long black coat.
49. - Your feelings aren’t important now. Our land and our money are more important. Feelings are important later in married life.
- Yes. Feelings are important when married people aren’t happy together, Father. Don’t you agree?
50. It was the look on your face.
51. - Spies are finished. The newspapers do their work now.
- And they do it terribly well.
52. I’m like a ship without a sail. I’m travelling at night without a star.
53. Has she never made a mistake in her life? If she has, she will forgive you.
54. I’m as weak as other men. She’s as cold and perfect as all good women. She will never forgive me.
55. I want to know that my secrets are safe.
56. You have lied enough.
57. listening at the door
58. – How did you guess that?
- Because you haven’t said anything about it.
59. - The English think that money can solve every problem. But I don’t want money.
- What do you want then, Mrs Cheveley?
- Why don’t you call me Laura?
- I don’t like the name.
- You loved it before.
- Yes, that’s why.
60. You were paid for the broken promise.
61. - At that time I was poor and you were rich.
- That’s why you loved me.
62. You have never known anything about love. You are much too clever.
63. - I’ll be a very bad husband.
- I don’t mind bad husbands. I have had two. They amused me very well.
- You mean that you amused yourself very well.
- What do you know about my married life?
- Nothing, but I can read it like a book.
- What kind of book?
- A bank book.
64. - I know that it was dishonest. But he isn’t really like that.
- You men always defend other men!
- And you women always fight other women!
65. You can’t fix feelings with business. Now he can pay me my price or a greater price.
66. kill that love; break the law; with a worried look
67. You don’t know how it works.
68. - I'll never try to hurt Robert Chiltern again.
- You will not be able to.
69. I’m full of interesting information. I feel like the latest newspaper.
70. I don’t want to meet my father every day. It’s much too exciting.
71. - “Sir Robert Chiltern…well-known in political life… excellent speaker… honest… high ideals… important position in English government…” Why don’t you do something useful in life?
- I’m still too young.
- I hate that excuse, sir.
72. - How about Lady Caversham’s hats?
- Perhaps they should see a doctor.
- Lady Caversham will not like that. She’s the only one who can touch them.
73. I love it when you listen to me. You’re the best listener in London.
74. - I’m glad that you agree. But don’t look so pleased about it.
- I can’t help it. I always look please when I’m with you.
75. Everyone in London knows it except you. For the last six months I have told everyone.
76. You look weeks younger than that.
77. The word danger is too strong.
78. Lord Goring makes a sign to Lady Chiltern.
79. Many well-known men would like to burn their mistakes.
80. I’ll lose a lot if I do that.
81. And your ambition for me? You always wanted me to succeed.
82. Your ambition is the reason for your problem.
83. You are honest and you always do the right thing.
84. Why are you acting like Mrs Cheveley?
85. He has become very successful. How can you take that away from him? What kind of life will he have? Womaen should not judge us. They should forgive us.
86. He’s doing it for you. He will give up anything for your love. But he’s giving up too much. Please don’t ask him to do this. Robert isn’t perfect, but he is not a bad man either. If you take away his power, he will lose everything. He will even lose his power to feel love. Your husband’s life is in your hands. Do not destroy it.
87. Men need success in their lives. Feelings are more important in women’s lives. I have just learnt this from Lord Goring. And I will not destroy your life.
88. Men easily forget. And I can forgive. That is how women help the world. I understand that now.
89. Marriages without love are terrible. But it’s worse when a marriage has love and trust only on one side. Then one heart will surely break.
90. You will be Prime Minister one day.
91. You have a great future, a great future. Your place will have to be at home.
92. You must be and ideal husband.
93. For both of us a new life is beginning.
94. Here we discover another side of the characters. They become interested in ideas. They discuss questions of right and wrong. They want to do the right thing, but at the same time they want to be happy. What should they do? It is difficult for them to decide. And what will other people think? They must always follow the rulers of London Society.
95. Wilde used language very cleverly. They could laugh at their own society and at themselves.
96. You can bring the characters to life by imaging the places, the characters’ clothes and their voices from the pictures and the words on the page.