She Stoops to Folly Book

(Reread, with a friend)

A one-act play not nearly as famous as Wilde's other plays, it is nevertheless fascinating. From what I gather, during the time Wilde wrote this, there was a Salomé craze going on. Wilde put his own interpretation on the story, as well as being influenced by a painter; a poet; Flaubert; and a novel (not Flaubert's) he adored. Though not written in his 'typical' style, his wit can be discerned; and though his use of repetition may at first sound childish, he makes effective use of it.

In contradiction of the Biblical account, a lustful, vengeful Salomé is front-and-center. Herodias is ineffectual: she stands on the sidelines issuing commands that neither her daughter nor her husband pay attention to. Salomé is given power through her intellect, by means of a trick; yet she's also portrayed as unreasonable, irrationally wanting what she wants no matter what. Forbidden or unseen stares are a constant motif, even with the minor characters; yet the one eroticized male is the one who does not look at anyone.