Question

What might be Wilde's criticism or point in using this satirical quote from Algernon?

“The amount of women in London who flirt with their own husbands is perfectly scandalous.”

(1 point)
Responses

Victorians are overeducated.
Victorians are overeducated.

Victorians are too concerned with being proper.
Victorians are too concerned with being proper.

Victorians are too materialistic.
Victorians are too materialistic.

Victorians are too concerned with social status.

Answer 1

[AI-generated answer — Bot GPT 3.5]

Victorians are too concerned with social status. Wilde may be criticizing the superficiality and lack of genuine emotion in Victorian society, where even interactions between married couples are seen as performances for social appearance rather than authentic connections. This quote highlights the absurdity of prioritizing outward displays of etiquette over true love and intimacy.