51 OSCAR WILDE AND BERNARD SHAW

1. INTRODUCTION.

When analysing English literature, it becomes obvious that the end of the 19th century was dominated by 2 Irish writers: Wilde and Shaw. They provided the harshest criticism of Victorian values and times and made major contributions to English drama. They were considered masters of witty paradox and regarded themselves as socialists. 

After a brief introduction, I will discuss the main points which are the background of the period and the most representative playwrights of it: Oscar Wilde and Bernard Shaw.

2. BACKGROUND OF THE PERIOD.

The playwrights Wilde and Shaw represent two distinct cultural stages in British history, divided by the turn of the 20th century. Queen Victoria’s death in 1901 marked the end of the Victorian Era and the start of the Edwardian Era under King Edward VII. At this point, the British Empire was at its peak, dominating a vast global territory and the Industrial Revolution had profoundly reshaped Britain, shifting its landscape from predominantly rural to predominantly urban.

In terms of culture, there was a shift in societal values and cultural outlook. While the influence of Victorian morality and social standards lingered, there was an increasing sense of disconnection from the earlier values of the 19th century. Writers like Wilde and Shaw belonged to this transitional group, often referred to as the Late Victorians. Their work reflects a complex relationship with Victorian ideals. As Late Victorians, Wilde and Shaw addressed themes of individualism, social reform, and modernity, capturing this era's scepticism and irony.

Edwardian Britain typically spans from the 1890s and beyond the death of King Edward VII in 1910, until the end of World War I (1914-1918) or the crystallization of modernist ideas. Within this era, particularly in the 1880s, a distinctive literary and artistic movement known as Aestheticism, or the Cult of Beauty, emerged. This movement focused on the idea that art exists solely for its beauty—a doctrine summarized by the phrase “art for art’s sake”. Aestheticism was a reaction against the utilitarian values of the Industrial Age, as well as the moralizing tendencies of Victorian art and literature. Rejecting the notion that art must serve a social or moral purpose, Aesthetes argued that art’s only aim was to evoke beauty and emotion, with no need for practical or didactic functions.

Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw were indeed emblematic figures of their era, reflecting the evolving social dynamics and literary trends of Edwardian Britain, also known as the Belle Époque. This was a time when the British class system was at its most rigid, yet significant shifts in social attitudes flourished. Movements such as socialism, women’s suffrage, and liberalism were gaining momentum, challenging established norms and pushing for broader social reform.

The theatre during this period saw the rise of New Drama, significantly shaped by the works of Henrik Ibsen and other continental influences. This new approach to drama introduced realism and a willingness to confront societal issues, moving beyond the moral conventions and decorum of Victorian theatre. In this context, Wilde’s witty drawing-room comedies and Shaw’s sharp, paradoxical plays represent a turn toward anti-Victorian sentiment. Their works captured the ironic detachment and intellectual critique that defined the Late Victorians and Edwardians, setting the stage for modern drama.

3. THE MOST REPRESENTATIVE PLAYWRIGHTS.

3.1. OSCAR WILDE (1854-1900): COMEDY OF MANNERS.

3.1.1. LIFE AND STYLE.

Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin in 1854 and died in Paris in 1900. He studied in Oxford in 1874 where he was deeply influenced by the ideas of 2 English writers: John Ruskin and Walter Pater. From Ruskin, he developed a sympathy for the poor and marginalized, which shaped his views on socialism. Pater, on the other hand, inspired Wilde to adopt an intensely aesthetic approach to life, emphasizing that life itself should be an act of art.

Wilde was also greatly influenced by his mother, who encouraged him to view life as a theatrical performance. Adopting an extravagant aestheticism, he dressed exotically, exhibited eccentric tastes and manners and discoursed upon the indifference of art to morality. His favourite word was 'flamelike' which came to mean that we can burn variously through passions, be it political, religious or artistic. Wilde felt it essential to expose one’s sensibilities fully, embracing the aesthetic ideal of living life intensely and expressively.

Oscar Wilde’s successful years came to an abrupt end due to his personal scandal. Accused of having a homosexual affair, he faced a public trial that led to his imprisonment in 1895. This experience deeply affected Wilde, both emotionally and creatively, marking the decline of his public life and literary career. After serving his sentence, he lived in exile, primarily in France, and his health and spirit suffered greatly.

3.1.2. STYLE.

He wrote a series of plays in the style of comedy of manners. Wilde's plays are a gentle satire of the upper classes who were so content with their own life. He called them ‘trivial plays for thinking people’. His most outstanding plays, staged in London and New York from 1892 to 1895, include Lady Windermere's Fan, The Woman of No Importance, An Ideal Husband and his masterpiece, The Importance of Being Earnest.

These plays share common themes and structures, often centred around the absurdities, hypocrisies, and affectations of Victorian high society. Wilde's characters are typically defined by their wit, with sharp dialogue full of epigrams and paradoxes that reveal deeper truths about human nature. Each play incorporates a central problem or moral dilemma, reflecting the influence of Henrik Ibsen and his focus on realistic, often problem-oriented drama. Wilde’s work, however, adapts this seriousness with a humorous lens.

3.1.3. WORKS.

3.1.3.1. NOVEL.

In 1890, Oscar Wilde published his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, a horror story that explores themes of vanity, corruption, and the consequences of a life of indulgence. The novel follows Dorian Gray, a handsome Victorian gentleman who sells his soul to preserve his youth and beauty. Although he remains handsome and young, his picture becomes ugly and acquires certain evil reflecting his moral degradation and true personality. The Picture of Dorian Gray clearly parallels Wilde’s life, mirroring his exploration of the tension between outward appearance and inner reality. The novel critiques the polished surface of Victorian high society while revealing the darker impulses lurking beneath it.

3.1.3.2. STAGE COMEDIES.

Lady Windermere's Fan is a radical play that examines the tension between appearance and reality, challenging the conventions of Victorian morality. The plot centres on a woman who nearly abandons her family for a lover but is persuaded not to. Wilde introduces the character of Mrs. Erlynne, whose past and motives remain ambiguous, and he masterfully crafts an ending that leaves certain secrets undisclosed. This unconventional conclusion rejects the typical comic resolution and instead employs collusive concealment, suggesting that society benefits from selective deception rather than complete honesty. Wilde disrupts the traditional stereotype of the "fallen woman" in Lady Windermere’s Fan by creating the character of Mrs Erlynne, who embodies both the roles of a “fallen” woman and a mother. In Victorian society, the role of motherhood was considered fundamental to a woman’s identity and moral purpose, so Mrs Erlynne’s rejection of the maternal role adds depth to her character’s “fallen” status. Her choice to live outside of the strict boundaries of Victorian motherhood emphasizes Wilde’s critique of the restrictive roles imposed on women of the time.

The Woman of No Importance is considered the forerunner of Modern English Drama. While the central plot revolves around the revelation of a long-hidden scandal, Wilde goes beyond the typical narrative of the Victorian "fallen woman" by painting a more scathing portrait of society. He presents a world polarized by innocence and guilt, conventionality and rebellion, stability and capriciousness. Wilde allows male authority to recede, giving prominence to strong female characters who hold the power in the story’s moral and social resolutions.

An Ideal Husband delves into themes of blackmail, political corruption, and the clash between public and private honour while playing on gender stereotypes and a clear division between male and female authority: men as upholders of honour and public duty, and women as moral judges and guardians of virtue.

The Importance of Being Earnest, Wilde’s final and most acclaimed stage comedy, is celebrated for its sharp wit and satirical edge. Staged in 1895, the play was an immediate success, though it drew criticism from figures like Bernard Shaw, who viewed Wilde’s humour as “hateful and sinister” and thought the work reflected a sense of moral decay. Wilde, however, used this very subversion to his advantage, crafting a satire of Victorian ideals, particularly around the concept of marriage and earnestness. Wilde’s use of wordplay in the title underscores the irony: “earnest” implies sincerity and integrity, yet the characters’ very lack of these qualities drives the comedy. Through its witty dialogue and exaggerated situations, the play mocks Victorian moral pretences; marriage is treated not as a romantic ideal but as a social construct to be mocked and reexamined, with characters treating it as a game of convenience and status.

Wilde was a versatile writer, producing work across various genres, including poetry, fiction, drama, and essays. His writing was celebrated for its wit, originality, and incisive social critique. True to his flamboyant personality, Wilde often blurred the line between art and life, famously saying, "I put all my genius into my life; I put only my talent into my work." His legacy endures as a symbol of aestheticism and bold individuality.

3.2. BERNARD SHAW (1856-1950): WITTY PARADOX.

3.2.1. LIFE.

Bernard Shaw was born in Dublin in 1856. He left school at the age of 14 and started to work in an estate agent's office for 5 years. In 1876, he moved to London where he became interested in social reform. In 1884, he was one of the founders of the Fabian Society, an organization dedicated to the promotion of Socialism.

3.2.2. STYLE.

His aim as a dramatist was to shock his audiences into taking a new view of their society and the moral problems that arose from it. His distinctive use of paradox and sharp wit exposed the hypocrisies and superficialities of contemporary society, aiming not just to entertain but to ignite social awareness and reform. Shaw’s passion for both social justice and theatre made him a compelling figure in literature and politics alike, maintaining his dual role as crusader and entertainer throughout his life.

Shaw was a committed advocate for spelling reform, incorporating small changes such as omitting apostrophes in his own writing. His repeated questioning, "What is wrong with civilization?" reflects his deep concern with character, conduct, and the societal structures that shape individual behaviour. Shaw argued that personal reform was impossible without broader social change, highlighting his belief in the interconnectedness of individual morality and societal conditions.

3.2.3. WORKS.

His first play, Widower's Houses (1892), provocatively addressed the problem of slum landlords, not by simply condemning them, but by encouraging the audience to consider the broader social and economic conditions that produced the problem.

Mrs. Warren's Profession (1893) continues Shaw's fearless exploration of social issues, this time focusing on prostitution, brothel-keeping, and the societal forces that perpetuate these practices. Shaw uses wit and boldness to explore the economic and moral aspects of prostitution, illustrating how the laws of supply and demand contribute to the exploitation of women.

In 1898, George Bernard Shaw published Plays Pleasant and Unpleasant, a collection that included a mix of his more challenging and lighter works. The book featured two plays labelled as "unpleasant" (Widower's Houses and Mrs. Warren's Profession), while the "pleasant" plays included Candida, Arms and the Man, and The Man of Destiny. In the prefaces, Shaw used the opportunity to express his views on a wide range of issues, including theatrical censorship, social inequality, and the role of the artist in society.

In 1904, Shaw's play John Bull's Other Island was performed at the Royal Court Theatre in London. The play tackled Ireland's grievances against the English, using sharp satire to expose the tensions between the two nations.

Another of Shaw's celebrated works, Pygmalion (1913), explored the relationship between social class and language. The play centres on a poor flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, who is transformed into a refined lady by Professor Henry Higgins, primarily through the alteration of her accent. Shaw’s keen observations about class distinctions and the role of language in shaping one’s identity were key themes in the play. Pygmalion later became the basis for the popular musical My Fair Lady.

But Shaw's finest work, and his only tragedy (though it contains comedic elements), was Saint Joan (1923). The play presents the story of Joan of Arc, who is executed for her beliefs. Shaw, however, infused the historical character with 19th-century sensibilities and language, making her struggles seem modern and relatable and the result is funny and refreshing.

Shaw’s dramas of moral passion and intellectual debate left a lasting impact on the theatre, inspiring generations with their blend of wit, critique, and social inquiry.

4. TEACHING IMPLICATIONS.

Before finishing, I would like to comment on the teaching implications this topic might offer. 

To begin with, I would like to justify the topic in the English curriculum. According to our current legislation based on LOMLOE from 2020 the teaching of a foreign language must be based on the communicative approach and communication must be the essential part of a language learning process. In addition to this, the law also highlights the importance for students to know not only how to use the language but also about the language, for this reason, it is very important to learn the historical literature and cultural aspects of the language learned. In this context, this topic has a relevant role in the English curriculum as it can be a tool to transmit our students’ linguistic and cultural competences.

On top of that, the current law and the Council of Europe prioritize the development of the communicative competence and establish many methodological principles of great use for this topic. These principles and the communicative competence are also reflected in the Royal Decree of 29th of March and in the Order of 2nd of August of 2022.

Therefore, historical events and literature, so crucial to understanding the origins of English and its role as an international language, must be explained to our students in a very communicative way. The EFRL provides a key for that. It states that our role as teachers is that of facilitators. Then, our role would be to make this topic and the language as close as possible to our students' reality and to provide them with knowledge and resources for its understanding. In other words, to work from the known to the unknown. For instance, there are books and film adaptations of the medieval period which can be incredibly useful in our lessons to practice the different competences established by the curriculum.

Moreover, a whole cultural environment is created in the classroom by working on topics like this. Students can carry out different communicative tasks with specific communicative purposes. For instance, how to produce a play, read a play by Shaw or Wilde or act out a scene of their plays.

5. CONCLUSION.

To conclude, the life and work of both Wilde and Shaw have been interesting for the world at large. On the one hand, Oscar Wilde put his art into his lifestyle. He was a provocative critic but his distinction lies in his comedy of manners. On the other hand, Shaw was the best sarcastic playwright of his generation and his plays will endure for their wit, common sense, intellectual revelation and literary gift. 

6. BIBLIOGRAPHY.

To write this topic, several references have been used, among which I would like to highlight:

• Alexander, M. (2000). A History of English Literature.

• Arnold, C. (2015). The Companion to British History.

• Daiches, D. (1980). A Critical History of English Literature.

• Sanders, A. (1996). The Short Oxford History of English Literature.

Besides, legal sources have also been used to justify the topic:

• LOMLOE Organic Law 3/2020, of 29th of December to improve the educational quality.

• Council of Europe (2001). Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching and Assessment. Strasbourg.

• Royal Decree 217/2022, of 29th of March, which establishes the basic curriculum of secondary compulsory education and bachillerato.

• Order ECD 1172/2022, of 2nd of August, which passes the curriculum of secondary education and allows its application in the schools of Aragon.