Oscar Wilde

[Lo.P]

Hello,

In his piece "A Woman of No Importance" there is a citation from Lord Illingworth: "twenty years of romance make a woman look like a ruin; but twenty years of marriage make her something like a public building."

I can't really understand... Someone can help me?

Thanks!

[Rowan]

I had an initial thought, and this one sticks now that I read the small segment:
It speaks, to a degree, that women are more independent. With that in the back of our minds, it may speak of how 20 years of romance is not good for a person, but if a woman is married for 20 years, she will seek.. Other people. Maybe many.. other people. Catch my drift?
She'll be a bit like a public b uilding, with legs flung open like a western's saloon's door.
Food for thought, maybe!

[LitNetIsGreat]

I think he is talking of marriage as something as an institution, it is not the first time such comments are made. He is also suggesting that romance and marriage are two separate things and neither attractive or good for your health!

[NedSiegel]

I had an initial thought, and this one sticks now that I read the small segment:
It speaks, to a degree, that women are more independent. With that in the back of our minds, it may speak of how 20 years of romance is not good for a person, but if a woman is married for 20 years, she will seek.. Other people. Maybe many.. other people. Catch my drift?
She'll be a bit like a public b uilding, with legs flung open like a western's saloon's door.
Food for thought, maybe!

I think you got it. Cynically, he is saying that marriage is better for the soul than love. The saying is both radical and conservative at the same time -- a true sing of genius.