A Woman of No Importance

Abstract

he play's title indicates that the one without importance is a woman, Mrs. Arbuthnot. All important Lord Illingworth upon recognizing the handwriting of Mrs. Arbuthnot tells that it reminds him of a woman of no importance. Lord Illingworth has money, social status and wits to outshine everyone in a conversation. Mrs. Arbuthnot dedicated her whole life to her son. Gerard, not knowing that Lord Illingworth is his father, is tempted by the lavish lifestyle Lord Illingworth offers but, at the end he realizes that the one important to him is his mother who gave him everything. Therefore, at the end the one not having his son by his side, the one not having importance is Lord Illingworth. The true meaning of importance is questioned in the play. Is it the money or social status that shows one's importance or is it something else, something that the money can't buy, like family or love?