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Summary Mrs Cheveley
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Mrs Cheveley character analysis
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An Ideal Husband: Mrs. CheveleyAn Ideal Husband is one of Oscar Wilde's most serious comedies. As the play was written in 1893, the audience may
be well aware that the play will have elements influenced by the Victorian Era or the 'Naughty Nineties'. One of the
issues in this genius work of art is the role of women in society. Wilde created characters to represent women who
went against the rigid morals and norm of the society, namely Miss Mabel Chiltern and Mrs. Cheveley. The latter has
a larger role in the play and creates a twist in the plot.
In Act 1, Mrs. Cheveley proclaims that the London season "is too matrimonial." The audience then would conclude
how Mrs. Cheveley has an alternative purpose on going back to London, coming all the way from Vienna. Also, later in
the play, the audience finds out the fact that Mrs. Cheveley has been married more than once. So, this line suggests
that even though she has gone through more than one marriage, it seems that she does not actually like being in a
marital relationship, having conjugal duties and tied down by conjugal loyalty to her husband.
Relating to her dislike towards marriage, Mrs. Cheveley is characterised as a flirtatious woman with (Venetian red
hair. See stage directions.). The lines "I have met Lord Goring before" and "wonderful man, wasn't [the Baron]?"
proves this point. These lines which are uttered in the same conversation suggest that she has had quite a number of
intimate relationships with men, and not just any type of men. She makes herself comfortable and close to wealthy
and influential men, and those who might have "the philosophy of power" and "the gospel of gold". She does not
make any effort to conceal these relationships with other men, and seems to want the world to know. The audience
instantly can conclude that she is a woman who loves scandals and "wears it like her bonnets."
Seeing that flirting and amorous moves are her forte, she often flatters people with her remarks, saying "He reflects
every credit of the [Boodle's Club]" as Sir Robert compliments "the idlest man in London", Lord Goring. This is similar
in the conversation with the anglophile, Vicomte de Nanjac as she remarked "I make a point to myself to associate
only with charming people like yourself". It is clear to the audience now how she can easily lure men into her arms
and get whatever she desires - power and wealth.
One of Mrs. Cheveley's distinct characteristics is she is very fond of maintaining an air of enigma and mystery around
her despite not concealing her relationships with men. As she wants to "ask [Sir Robert] to do something for [her]"
she causes the audience as well as Sir Robert to be immensely curious about her request, "And now may I walk
through your beautiful house?" - not frankly telling what she wants, and deliberately delays it. As she is not straight-
forward in stating her intentions, she slowly gives out the favour she wishes to ask by stirring one's memory of the
past, "you remember the Baron?". This depicts how Mrs. Cheveley is capable of controlling people's emotions and
underscores her as being a strategic and careful person - always planning before acting.
Although she chooses to stay mysterious, she often gives out subtle hints on what is coming to her 'victims'' way.
"There is no danger, at present!" is one of the lines in the play that foreshadows Sir Robert Chiltern's doom and how
his private and public life will be at risk, as she may cause a huge disturbance in his life. Also, as she nods to Lord
Goring, with a look of amusement in her eyes, she is showing interest towards him. The audience grasps the idea that
she likes to attract people's attention and curiosity by being secretive but keeps them interested by revealing
information gradually.
Mrs. Cheveley is the play's most modern woman, compared to Lady Chiltern and Miss Mabel. Lord Goring describes
her as a 'genius during daytime, and a beauty at night' and that is exactly what she represents. Her indiscreet acts of
folly and her witty manner add to the plays iridescence and makes 'An Ideal Husband' one of Wilde's most famous
plays. The audience would realise how Oscar Wilde satirizes human vagaries in this play and Mrs. Cheveley is a
substantial character for the messages of satire to be conveyed to the audience. Not only does Mrs. Cheveley point
out how with "the modern mania for morality" everyone is "going over each other like nine-pins", but she also
emphasises how people should not have a rigid moral stance, just like Lady Chiltern.
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