Charity, dear Miss Prism, charity! None of us are perfect. I myself am peculiarly susceptible to draughts

Charity, dear Miss Prism, charity! None of us are perfect. I myself am peculiarly susceptible to draughts

In the play "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde, the character Lady Bracknell utters the famous line, “Charity, dear Miss Prism, charity! None of us are perfect. I myself am peculiarly susceptible to draughts.” This line is a perfect example of Wilde's wit and satire, as it highlights the hypocrisy and superficiality of the upper class in Victorian society.

Lady Bracknell's statement is dripping with irony, as she is essentially dismissing Miss Prism's concerns about her health while simultaneously asking for charity. The fact that she mentions her susceptibility to draughts as a way to deflect attention away from Miss Prism's needs is both humorous and revealing of her character. Lady Bracknell is portrayed as a snobbish and self-absorbed woman who is more concerned with appearances and social status than with the well-being of others.

Wilde uses this line to critique the values and priorities of the upper class in Victorian society. The characters in the play are obsessed with trivial matters such as social etiquette, marriage, and wealth, while ignoring the more important issues of morality and compassion. Lady Bracknell's callous dismissal of Miss Prism's concerns is a perfect example of this superficiality and lack of empathy.

Furthermore, Wilde's use of humor and irony in this line serves to highlight the absurdity of the characters and their values. By juxtaposing Lady Bracknell's concern for draughts with Miss Prism's need for charity, Wilde exposes the hypocrisy and selfishness of the upper class. The line is a reminder that no one is perfect, and that true charity and compassion should be extended to all, regardless of social status or personal quirks.