After reading the story, I really breathed a sigh of brief. Because at the beginning of the story, like many works depict the Vitoria era, there are all magnificent and luxury lives. I began to guess whether it would be a broken end where things are still there but men are no more the same ones. Usually behind most of the luxury, there is a dirty business to support them. Finally, this activity will be uncovered. Sure enough, the beginning is on my supposing, Robert, who seems to be a perfect representative of the upper class, has a hidden story behind him. The whole play focuses on solving the crisis that once brought him. Luckily, the ending is a happy one.
I felt as if I had traveled through the dangerous jungle for I have seen many magnificent and breathtaking landscapes, but they are in danger. The prominent place near the blue sky is beautiful, fresh and tender. In the place near the land, where the dense green branches and leaves are blocked, while the hidden place close to land is spotted disgusting insects and dark caves. The abundant natural resources are enough to support every living creature there seemingly, but it is better than anywhere else to show the survival rule of Survival of the Fittest. Perhaps it is because those who grow too fast have drawn jealousy of other species. A catalyst called jealousy, which tends to play a great role in such a superior environment.
In my view, most of the characters in the play are hypocritical and flamboyant. They all do what the society compels them to do, all in pursuit of what the society leads them to pursue. In short, they have lost themselves and are sacrificing for an age. Only two people, the Lord Goring and Mabel Chiltern, are do themselves. The Lord Goring was trying to fight against the times in a negative way and Mabel Chiltern kept her simplicity in such a dark age. In my opinion, Mabel is that kind of people in JiXian Lin’s work who can dance in chains.
Mabel Chiltern is an avant-garde and free lady. She looks at things from different perspectives, and is willing to find the subtle details hidden behind the roughness. She can handle things without being bound by the times, so she is free. In the first act, when Lord Caversham rates the life of Lord Goring as an idle life, Mabel Chiltern says: “How can you say such a thing? Why, he rides in the Row at ten o'clock in the morning, goes to the Opera three times a week, changes his clothes at least five times a day, and dines out every night of the season. You don't call that leading an idle life, do you?” In such an era of fame and fortune, when most people judge the value of a person with a set standard (seeking money and power), Mabel can jump out of this circle of pedantry, but measure a person with a seemingly naive standard, which means that she is free. She judged a person's value not by looking at his title or background, but by looking at his way of life. In Mabel's eyes, only when one’s life is colorful and tasteful, is it a valuable life. This kind of Mabel style of value judgement is almost impossible for most people. Today, the cultural invasion of the western countries is still all over the corner, and people are trying to resist the invasion even insisting that we Chinese are not disturbed by the cultural invasion of the West. However, we resisted the western trends, resisted Western food and entertainment, but most people failed to resist the way of value judgment in Western capitalist countries. Most people judge someone’s achievements by measuring his position or money, not by measuring the quality of his life or his contribution to the society. Mabel's value measurement is what I did not achieve, so I respect her and love her.
Mabel Chiltern is a direct and sharp lady. She doesn't talk in a roundabout way or hurt others coincidently in her words. When the Lord Goring was late for their date, she said directly: "You are very late!" and "How very selfish of you!" She directly tells his why she is angry, and expresses her anger in a complete way. In the same situation, if it is Lady Chiltern or Mrs. Cheveley, they may say, "Didn't your housekeeper tell you the time?" It's a bad guy. "When a person even racked her brain to say an easy word and express a simple meaning, how tired and boring her life would be. For most people, they cannot express their real emotions, especially their negative emotions, such as anger, disappointment and sadness. They try their best to hide their true thoughts in order to show others a kind of “perfect” character. How pathetic this tendency is! A person cannot show himself fill, like wearing a mask with only a smiling face. In the face of these unified and gloomy smiling faces, Mabel's colorful mood is very charming. I yearn for the bluntness of Mabel, because it's the same in my heart. I always dislike the smiling faces of the people around me, and I wish people could express their desire, joy and discomfort. In my opinion, the most honest and noble communication between people is the communication between Nietzsche and Bourell in When Nietzsche Weep. Only such direct, frank and sharp communication can arouse the feelings in human souls.
Mabel Chiltern is a brave and enthusiastic lady. In the face of love, she can bravely show herself, whether it is her negative emotions or her whole life. In the face of the person she likes, she can completely keep herself and express herself. When the Lord Goring had forgotten a date with her, she could be angry with her favorite people without hesitate rather than forgive unconditionally. When the Lord Goring is ready to confession to her, she can be brave to say, "Oh! Is it a proposal?" In her love, she is always the initiative and participant, not a passive recipient. It seems to me that this is a brave woman in a new age who is daring to pursue. I am always the active in love, so I can understand her initiative, so I like her.
It is because Mabel Chiltern is such a real, free and brave lady that I like her most. There are many things worth reflecting on her and something the same to my so I can understand her and I would like to love her.
