Oscar Wilde’s outlook on life is a largely realist one; his wit and ironic brand of humour exemplifying his clash with the rigid and somewhat ostentatious rules that characterised the Victorian Era.

Wilde never attempted to fit the mould – indeed, he was verifiably convinced of his own genius – See “The only thing I have to declare is my genius”. His exuberant personality and flamboyant nature provided a direct contrast to Victorian ideals. Men were expected to be courteous and attentive husbands and the breadwinners of their families. Wilde did not appear to care for these restraints, and his homosexuality, which was then severely looked down upon, meant that he did not confer to these norms.

His plays were scathing commentaries on the highfalutin cultural norms and expectations that were so prominent then. In some respect, he might also be mocking himself in his satirical representation of high society. They were materialistic and put on a carefully curated presentation of themselves. This was not far from the constructed front he put on himself, hiding his homosexuality and instead conferring to what was expected of him by society by staying with his wife until her death.

A sense of duality is present in Wilde’s attitude; in a way, he conformed with societal expectations, never outwardly announcing his homosexuality or removing himself from society voluntarily, but continuously rebelled against it at the same time through his expression in writing and his own life. I feel like his satirical representation of high society is, therefore, both a ridicule of others and himself, with a hint of self-deprecation; Wilde himself belonged in the society the play mocks. (Henah)

His satire for society probably has multiple reasons. In my opinion, these were probably to make a mockery of a society that did not accept him and a mockery of the parts that he followed for example his fashion choices and dinner parties that would presumably be full of etiquette related rules. (Victoria)