“ But there are moments when one has to choose between living one's own life, fully, entirely, completely—or dragging out some false, shallow, degrading existence that the world in its hypocrisy demands. ”
Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere's Fan (1893). copy citation
| Author | Oscar Wilde |
|---|---|
| Source | Lady Windermere's Fan |
| Topic | life hypocrisy choice |
| Date | 1893 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/790/790-h/790-h.htm |
Context
“You did not know it then—you know it now! Leave this house to-night. I won't tell you that the world matters nothing, or the world's voice, or the voice of society. They matter a great deal. They matter far too much. But there are moments when one has to choose between living one's own life, fully, entirely, completely—or dragging out some false, shallow, degrading existence that the world in its hypocrisy demands. You have that moment now. Choose! Oh, my love, choose.
Lady Windermere. [Moving slowly away from him, and looking at him with startled eyes.] I have not the courage.
Lord Darlington. [Following her.]” source
Lady Windermere. [Moving slowly away from him, and looking at him with startled eyes.] I have not the courage.
Lord Darlington. [Following her.]” source
Meaning and analysis
