Which statement best describes Gwendolen Fairfax's attitude toward a husband?

• A. She wants to marry a man named Ernest, believing the name guarantees truth.
• B. She places priority on wealth above all else.
• C. She seeks a husband who is fashionable and charming.
• D. She desires independence from social expectations.

Answer: (A)

Gwendolen’s attitude toward marriage is built on a satirical critique of social conventions: she believes a name can carry moral certainty. She fixates on marrying a man named Ernest because she thinks the name itself guarantees honesty and virtue. This shows a superficial view of love and character, where surface symbols—like a name—stand in for true trustworthiness. Wilde uses this to lampoon how people in high society treat words and appearances as if they encode real virtue.

We don’t see her primary concerns as wealth, merely fashionable charm, or a wish for independence. The humor and point come from the belief that the name Ernest will make a husband trustworthy, which best fits her mindset in the scene.