Lord Arthur Goring(王淼)

After watched the movie called Ideal Husband, I had a deep impression on Lord Arthur Goring although he was not the main character in the movie. His attitudes towards life, love, and friendship made him different from ordinary people, and catch my attention easily. Some details are as follows.

Attitude towards life

At the first scene in the movie, a naked lady on his bed, this seems to tell me that he is a rich, handsome dandy. To be honest, I do not think dandy is always a name for bad guy. And then his words attract me so much. He says, "Fashion is what one wears oneself. What is unfashionable is what other people wear". He continues, "To love oneself is the beginning of a long life romance."

Lord Arthur Goring(王淼)
Lord Arthur Goring(王淼)
Lord Arthur Goring(王淼)
Lord Arthur Goring(王淼)
Lord Arthur Goring(王淼)

(p84)These two sentences imply that Lord Goring pay much attention on life quality, because I think a man who attach importance to his appearance is likely to love his life, and if he love life, he will be more humorous and energetic and confident.

Furthermore, when he comes to the political party, his behavior convinces me that he is the wittiest person in the movie. He knows everything behind the surfaces, but he reveals nothing. For example, he says "I adore political parties. They are the only place left to us where people do not tell politics."(p22)"I love talking nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about."(p22) In China, there is an old saying goes that a man of great wisdom often appears slow-witted. As far as I am concerned, Lord Goring is the man.

Lord Arthur Goring(王淼)
Lord Arthur Goring(王淼)

More importantly, he is really interesting for his personality. "He is fond of being misunderstood." (p18) proves that he does not care others' opinions and he can do himself. He is a little bit narcissistic. "I am sorry I did not stay away longer. I like being missed."(p20)

Attitude towards love

In most people's opinions, a dandy is a person who plays with beautiful ladies and never gives the true love and never takes ladies seriously. This kind of people is not trustworthy. However, Lord Goring is not a real dandy. He has a right attitude towards love. "Now I am going to tell you that love about which I admit I know so little, love cannot be bought. It can only be given. And I sense it is not in my power to give to you, nor is it in yours at all. To give, and not expect return, that is what lies at the heart of love."

Lord Arthur Goring(王淼) Lord Arthur Goring(王淼) Lord Arthur Goring(王淼)

When he met Mrs. Cheverly who had engagement with him before, he has a clear mind that she does not the right person for him. "Well, you were poor, and I was rich. It must have suited you very well." He seems to be a play boy, but I can see his different aspect when he is together with Mabel. He felt a little bit angry when Mabel danced with another guy who loves Mabel, too. He got a little nervous when he expresses his heart to Mabel. He was really happy when Mabel says "I do." In some degree, Lord Goring is more like an ideal husband although there is no an ideal husband in the world at all.

Attitude towards friendship

In the movie, Mrs. Chiltern and Sir Robert, I think, are his best friends. As for Mrs. Chiltern, Lord Goring is much of a brother who protects her as best as he can. When her marriage in trouble, He come to her and tries his best to reduce the hurt. "I am putting the imaginary case, of course, that if for any reason you are ever in trouble, come to me at once and know that I will help you in every way I can." And he did so, he succeed in getting the letter from Mrs. Cheveley so that protect their marriage.

Lord Arthur Goring(王淼)
Lord Arthur Goring(王淼)

As for Robert, he is a loyal friend and give Robert compete trust. Under Mrs. Cheveley's threat, Sir Robert is so anxious that he do not know what he should do to change the terrible situation. As his best friend, Lord Goring gives his proper suggestion. "English cannot stand a man who is always saying he is in the right, but they are very fond of a man who admits that he has been in the wrong."(p54)"Robert, life is never fair. Secrets from other people's wives are necessary luxury in modern life, but no man should have secrets from his own wife. "

When Mrs. Cheveley comes up with an idea that Lord Goring will marry her if Robert changes his opinion about the business in the Parliamentary debate, he agrees. He is willing to give up his freedom which is his most cherish thing in his whole life.

To sum up, from what I has mentioned above, I can safety come to the conclusion that Lord Goring is a person who has the unique view of life, who play with life and get much happiness, who value love, and friendship. In a word, he is wittier than he appears. There is no doubt that nobody is perfect. We should not see somebody too high, because that will make people you love under the great pressure. At the same time, everyone must admit that we all have some drawbacks, and there is no absolutely ideal husband at all.

Lord Arthur Goring(王淼)