The plot in six lines
On her birthday, Lady Windermere receives a fan from her husband, while Lord Darlington challenges her strict division between good and bad people.
The Duchess of Berwick reports Lord Windermere's visits and payments to Mrs Erlynne, and Lady Windermere finds the payments recorded in his account book.
Lord Windermere insists that Mrs Erlynne attend the birthday ball, but refuses to explain, and his wife threatens to strike her with the fan.
At the ball, Mrs Erlynne charms the guests, while Lady Windermere, hurt and drawn by Lord Darlington's offer, writes a letter announcing her departure.
At Darlington's rooms, Mrs Erlynne takes the blame for a compromising scene, protecting Lady Windermere's reputation and enabling her to return home.
The Windermeres are reconciled, Lady Windermere never learns the full truth about her rescuer, and Mrs Erlynne leaves London having secured a marriage to Lord Augustus.
Themes
Hypocrisy: The society that condemns Mrs Erlynne tolerates gentlemen who flirt with her but would refuse to receive her at home.
Moral judgement: Lady Windermere's own temptation challenges her belief that people belong permanently to separate categories of good and bad.
Appearance and truth: Rumours, payments and letters invite confident judgements, although the human circumstances behind them remain hidden.
Sacrifice: Mrs Erlynne protects Lady Windermere by accepting blame, placing another person's safety above her own reputation.
Characters
- Lady WindermereMargaret Windermere, twenty-one, holds strict views of right and wrong and trusts her husband completely. She wants a marriage and a world with clear rules.
- Lord WindermereArthur Windermere, her devoted husband, keeps a secret about Mrs Erlynne that he thinks he must protect, even at the cost of his wife's trust.
- Mrs ErlynneA beautiful, poised woman with a doubtful past who arrives in London society and wants to be accepted into it again.
- Lord DarlingtonA rich, witty bachelor who mocks easy morals, is secretly in love with Lady Windermere, and wants her to turn to him.
- The Duchess of BerwickA chattering society matron who spreads rumours, condemns others loudly and wants a good marriage for her daughter Agatha.
- Lord Augustus LortonA kind, bumbling older bachelor, a friend of the family, who becomes deeply taken with Mrs Erlynne and wants to win her.
For the A level English Literature exams, summer 2027
- The summer 2027 A level exams run from 10 May to 22 June 2027.
- WJEC Eduqas: Component 2, Section B (drama in a pair), Thursday 20 May 2027, morning, 2 hours.
A two-week plan
- Day oneRead the 15-minute summary of Lady Windermere's Fan from start to finish, then tell the story back to yourself in five sentences.
- Day twoA birthday gift and a rigid young wife: Notice how the birthday fan links Lady Windermere's trust in her husband with her confidence in her own goodness.
- Day threeA charming friend plants a dangerous idea: Listen for the feeling beneath Lord Darlington's wit as his paradoxes challenge Lady Windermere's certainty.
- Day fourGossip tells a wife what her husband hides: Watch how the account book changes the tone from social comedy to personal pain.
- Day fiveAn invitation that becomes a threat: Follow the fan's change from a gift of love into a threatened weapon.
- Day sixThe ball, the guest and a wife's dangerous choice: Notice the contrast between Mrs Erlynne's charm and the judgements that precede her arrival.
- Day sevenWhat the play says about judging others: Consider how the people condemning Mrs Erlynne reveal the weakness of their own moral authority.
- Day eightHow Wilde builds wit, symbol and suspense: Trace how wit, withheld information and the fan connect social conversation with suspense.
- Day nineThe cast: Lady Windermere, Lord Windermere, Mrs Erlynne, Lord Darlington and the Duchess of Berwick. Write one line on what each of them wants.
- Day tenThemes: Hypocrisy; Moral judgement; Appearance and truth; Sacrifice. Pick one moment in the story for each.
- Day elevenForm: study how the play is built: its scenes, its speeches and its turning points.
- Day twelvePractice: plan and write an essay on one theme, then read your argument back and test it against the story.
- Day thirteenPractice: try a second question with a different focus, such as a character or the form.
- Day fourteenRecap: reread your notes and the summary, say the plot out loud once, then rest.
From the boards' published specifications and final summer 2027 timetables, read on 23 October 2026. Ask your school which board and papers you sit.
Questions
What is Lady Windermere's Fan about?
Lady Windermere's Fan concerns a young wife whose suspicions about her husband put her marriage and moral certainty at risk. Gossip and secrecy lead her towards a choice that Mrs Erlynne prevents from ruining her reputation.
Who are the main characters in Lady Windermere's Fan?
The main characters are Lady Windermere, Lord Windermere, Mrs Erlynne and Lord Darlington. The Duchess of Berwick spreads the rumour, while Lord Augustus Lorton's interest in Mrs Erlynne helps shape her future.
What are the main themes of Lady Windermere's Fan?
The main themes are hypocrisy, moral judgement, appearance and truth, and sacrifice. Wilde contrasts society's confidence in condemning others with its limited knowledge of their circumstances and capacity for generosity.
Is Lady Windermere's Fan a set text for A level English Literature?
Yes. WJEC Eduqas lists it in Component 2, Section B (drama in a pair).
When are the A level English Literature exams in 2027?
The summer 2027 A level exams run from 10 May to 22 June 2027. WJEC Eduqas: Component 2, Thursday 20 May 2027, morning.
