Images of America

Compétence Compréhension de l’écrit

Anticipation1. Read the title and the introduction, then imagine what the text will

focus on.According to the title ”Building up a new country” and the introduction, we can suppose that this text will focus on the vision the British aristocracy had of the American way of life.We may have a confrontation between the old and ageing British society represented by Lady Hunstanton and the new American society embodied by the young Hester.

Global Comprehension2. Where does the scene take place?

The scene takes place in a wealthy country house in England in the late nineteenth century. Lady Hunstanton has invited a few guests to her place.

3. Who are the characters and how are they related to each other?There are three characters. Lady Hunstanton, who has organized the reception, and Lady Caroline who may be Lady Hunstanton’s friend. Both ladies belong to the British aristocracy, hence their similar point of view on the United States of America. Then, we have Hester Worsley who is the young American lady.

Detailed Comprehension

4. How does Hester describe American society?She describes American society as a brand new society which rests on solid and sane foundations. She asserts that American people are true people who are willing to create a better society for the future. She refers to them as ”all the good women and good men we have in our country”. She also claims that social differences are less obvious in the United States of America than in Great Britain since “In America we have no lower classes.”

5. What does she think of English society?She thinks English society is an old-fashioned system in which the superficial, self-centered aristocracy rules over the so-called toiling “lower classes”. Her criticism of English society is rather harsh and severe: ” Oh,your English society seems to me shallow, selfish, foolish.”

6. What tone does she use when speaking to her hosts? Why?Her tone is sarcastic and she may sound rather aggressive with her hosts. This could be explained by the fact that she is annoyed by what the two British ladies say about the American way of life. They assert things about America but they don’t really know what they’re talking about since they had never been there. This is particularly true with Lady Caroline: “There are a great many things you haven’t got in America, I am told, Miss Worsley. They say you have no ruins, and no curiosities.” As a reply, Miss Worsley says:”The English Aristocracy

supply us with our curiosities…they land.” 7. How do the English ladies react to Hester’s words? What tone do

they use? Why?In fact, instead of being crossed, they compliment/praise her and subtly reminds her that she is fully accepted and appreciated in the British society that she vehemently criticizes. It is quite a clever way to hush her up because certain things are better left unsaid.

8. Analyse Lady Hunstanton’s last sentence.Lady Hunstanton appears to be a very polite host because she seems to share Miss Worsley’s social criticism but what is, apparently, much more important is the beauty of the young American girl: “My dear young lady, there was a great deal of truth in what you said, and you looked very pretty while you said it, which is much more important…”Miss Worsley is thus a superficial woman since she values the physical appearance rather than the intelligence or the social involvement of the American girl.

9. How does Oscar Wilde portray the English ladies?Oscar Wilde portrays the English ladies as superficial and idle women. They belong to an old-fashioned society that is bound to disappear. On the contrary, the young American girl represents hope for the future. This is due to the fact that Oscar Wilde did not really fit in the Victorian society; he was criticized for his deviant attitude.