“The world has grown suspicious of anything that looks like a happily married life.”
- October 16, 1854 – November 30, 1900
- Irish
- Author, poet, playwright
- Written novels, plays, and poems such as “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” “The Importance of Being Earnest,” and “Salome,” he had a great influence on British literature in the late 19th century through his witty social criticism and humor.
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Quote
“The world has grown suspicious of anything that looks like a happily married life.”
Explanation
In this quote, Oscar Wilde reflects on the skepticism and cynicism that society has towards the concept of a perfect or happy marriage. He suggests that when people observe a marriage that appears to be harmonious and ideal, they often view it with distrust or suspicion, assuming that it may be a facade or a superficial appearance. Wilde’s remark speaks to the complexity of marriage, as society tends to see it through a lens of realism or even pessimism, where people are more likely to assume that true happiness in marriage is impossible or unsustainable.
Wilde’s comment may also be a critique of societal expectations and the idealized image of marriage that many strive to achieve. When a marriage appears too perfect, it can seem like an unrealistic ideal or a myth that is unattainable, and so people may become suspicious of it. In this way, Wilde is highlighting the disconnect between society’s idealistic portrayal of marriage and the reality that many people experience, with its ups and downs, challenges, and imperfections.
In modern contexts, this quote reflects the cultural shift towards more realistic portrayals of relationships. While the idea of a perfect marriage may still exist in some circles, there is a growing recognition that marriage is often messy, imperfect, and flawed—and that these imperfections do not negate its value. Wilde’s words challenge us to think about how society perceives ideal relationships and how these perceptions shape our understanding of what it means to be truly happy in marriage or any other form of commitment.
