An Ideal Husband Women and Femininity Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Act.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue.

Quote #7

LORD CAVERSHAM. No woman, plain or pretty, has any common sense at all, sir. Common sense is the privilege of our sex. (3.115)

Lord Caversham eats these words later, applauding Mabel's common sense in favoring the "real" over the "ideal" in marriage.

Quote #8

MRS. CHEVELEY. My dear Arthur, women are never disarmed by compliments. Men always are. That is the difference between the two sexes. (3.243)

Mrs. Cheveley has full confidence in the superiority and strength of women.

Quote #9

LORD GORING. How you women war against each other! (3.250)

Lord Goring sees Mrs. Cheveley and Lady Chiltern as two black widows of very different natures. He couldn't be married to either of them.