A LEVEL ENGLISH LITERATURE
OSCAR WILDE- LADY WINDEMERE’S FAN
1. “A man who moralizes is usually a hypocrite, and a woman who moralizes is invariably plain.”
(Cecil Graham) Discuss the view that “in Lady Windermere’s Fan, relationships between men
and women are founded on hypocrisy”.
2. “The focus on etiquette is central to the play’s appeal.” In the light of this statement about
Lady Windermere’s Fan, explore how Wilde makes use of the rules of social behaviour.
3. “Oh! Why do you disbelieve everything I tell you?” (Mrs Erlynne) How far
do you agree with Mrs Erlynne that deception is at the heart of late-
Victorian society?
See below an extract from a Mark Scheme on the above question
AO1 We will reward coherent, well-structured, relevant responses to the discussion of the view that
deception is at the heart of late-Victorian society, where candidates have engaged in a clear, well-
organised and effective discourse which they have written in an academic style and register. Credit will
also be given for appropriate use of terminology and an awareness of the conventions of drama.
. Bands 4 and 5 will show an increasingly secure understanding of the play and present their ideas in
response to this view in a controlled and well-supported discussion.
AO2 By Band 3 there should be a clear understanding of the text as drama and a clear grasp of some
dramatic techniques such as: symbolic and dramatic use of the fan juxtaposition of the comic and the
serious in situation and dialogue use of wit staging and stage directions setting props and
costume lighting, music, sound effects.
At Bands 4 and 5 we should expect more detailed and perceptive discussion of Wilde’s dialogue and
techniques.
AO3 Candidates must engage primarily with the question’s focus on the role of deception in the smooth
running of Victorian Society by considering the significance and influence of contexts. They may
approach this is several ways, but it is likely the following aspects will be addressed:
OSCAR WILDE- LADY WINDEMERE’S FAN
1. “A man who moralizes is usually a hypocrite, and a woman who moralizes is invariably plain.”
(Cecil Graham) Discuss the view that “in Lady Windermere’s Fan, relationships between men
and women are founded on hypocrisy”.
2. “The focus on etiquette is central to the play’s appeal.” In the light of this statement about
Lady Windermere’s Fan, explore how Wilde makes use of the rules of social behaviour.
3. “Oh! Why do you disbelieve everything I tell you?” (Mrs Erlynne) How far
do you agree with Mrs Erlynne that deception is at the heart of late-
Victorian society?
See below an extract from a Mark Scheme on the above question
AO1 We will reward coherent, well-structured, relevant responses to the discussion of the view that
deception is at the heart of late-Victorian society, where candidates have engaged in a clear, well-
organised and effective discourse which they have written in an academic style and register. Credit will
also be given for appropriate use of terminology and an awareness of the conventions of drama.
. Bands 4 and 5 will show an increasingly secure understanding of the play and present their ideas in
response to this view in a controlled and well-supported discussion.
AO2 By Band 3 there should be a clear understanding of the text as drama and a clear grasp of some
dramatic techniques such as: symbolic and dramatic use of the fan juxtaposition of the comic and the
serious in situation and dialogue use of wit staging and stage directions setting props and
costume lighting, music, sound effects.
At Bands 4 and 5 we should expect more detailed and perceptive discussion of Wilde’s dialogue and
techniques.
AO3 Candidates must engage primarily with the question’s focus on the role of deception in the smooth
running of Victorian Society by considering the significance and influence of contexts. They may
approach this is several ways, but it is likely the following aspects will be addressed:
