Test Your Knowledge of Lady Windermere's Fan Play

Mrs. Erlynne arrives at the house and asks Lady Windermere for a photo of her to take since she is going away. This request, while seemingly simple, carries a deep emotional significance as it represents Mrs. Erlynne’s longing for a connection with the daughter she had to abandon.

Lord Windermere asks Lady Windermere to invite Mrs. Erlynne to her birthday party. When Lady Windermere refuses, due to the rumors surrounding Mrs. Erlynne, Lord Windermere takes it upon himself to invite her. This act further fuels the tension and suspicion in their relationship.

At the party, when Lady Windermere seeks support from Lord Darlington, he reveals his love for her and asks her to run away with him. This unexpected confession adds another layer of complexity to Lady Windermere’s predicament, forcing her to grapple with her feelings and loyalties.

Lady Windermere and Lord Windermere are a married couple in the play. They have been married for just under two years and have a six-month-old child. Their seemingly perfect life sets the stage for the ensuing drama, highlighting the themes of love, betrayal, and societal expectations.

In conversation and monologues from Mrs. Erlynne and Lord Windermere, it becomes clear that Mrs. Erlynne is Lady Windermere’s mother, who abandoned her as a child. This shocking revelation adds a poignant twist to the story, shedding new light on Mrs. Erlynne’s actions and motivations.

At the end of the play, Mrs. Erlynne leaves with Lord Augustus who comes back and announces that they are going to be married. This development signifies a new beginning for Mrs. Erlynne, offering her a chance at redemption and happiness.

Mrs. Erlynne finds the note that Lady Windermere leaves for her husband about running away with Lord Darlington. She takes the note with her and goes to find Lady Windermere. Her intervention at this critical juncture underscores her concern for her daughter’s welfare and her desire to prevent Lady Windermere from making the same mistakes she did.

Lord Darlington and the Duchess of Berwick imply that Lord Windermere has been cheating on Lady Windermere with a woman named Mrs. Erlynne. This rumor, spread through the high society they inhabit, introduces the element of scandal and intrigue to the plot, testing the strength of the Windermeres’ marriage.

Lord Windermere does not want Lady Windermere to meet Mrs. Erlynne because he fears Mrs. Erlynne will reveal her relationship to his wife. His fear underscores the complex web of secrets and lies that underpin the narrative, culminating in a dramatic climax that brings the truth to light.

Some men along with Lord Windermere show up at Lord Darlington’s house and Lord Windermere sees Lady Windermere’s fan in the room where she is hiding. The sight of the fan, a symbol of Lady Windermere’s presence, heightens the suspense and leads to a dramatic confrontation.