How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Act.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue.
Quote #1
LADY MARKBY: Really, now that the House of Commons is trying to become useful, it does a great deal of harm. (1.54)
One of the older characters in the play, Lady Markby's conversation is often a variation on "how things have changed." Here she seems to long for a bygone past when the House of Commons was more ceremonial than effective.
Quote #2
MRS. CHEVELEY. Politics are my only pleasure. (1.84)
Laura, Laura, Laura. (That's Mrs. Cheveley's first name.) It's all about her. Politics, sex, friendship all serve one purpose – securing her comfort and security.
Quote #3
SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. A political life is a noble career! (1.85)
This is early in his conversations with Mrs. Cheveley – before she reminds him of the ignoble moment that bought him this noble political career. One immoral act has enabled him to do a lot of good. The only problem is that she is not willing to forget that original, immoral act.
Quote #4
MRS. CHEVELEY. Sometimes. And sometimes it is a clever game, Sir Robert. And sometimes it is a great nuisance. (1.86)
While Sir Robert understands politics as a narrative of progress, Mrs. Cheveley sees it almost like a fickle frenemy, sometimes for her, sometimes against her. She doesn't get this "common good" thing.
Quote #5
LORD GORING. I adore political parties. They are the only place left to us where people don't talk politics. (1.159)
Lord Goring is the original hipster, totally cooler-than-thou. He likes to pretend that political engagement – indeed, caring about anything – is too much for him. But he's also the character who ends up exerting the most influence on others throughout the play.
Quote #6
LADY BASILDON. I delight in talking politics. I talk them all day long. But I can't bear listening to them. (1.160)
For Lady Basildon, politics are useful in social settings. She can show off her learning but she doesn't really have to engage with contrary opinions.
Quote #7
MRS. CHEVELEY: Remember to what a point your Puritanism in England has brought you. (1.268)
Mrs. Cheveley blames Sir Robert's imminent doom on British Puritanism, contrasting it with the looser morals in Vienna. Mrs. Cheveley's willingness to exploit probably gives her more leverage in England than it would on the Continent.
Quote #8
LORD CAVERSHAM. I wish you would go into Parliament. (4.35)
Lord Caversham is old-fashioned and idealistic about politics. Political office is about serving the public, yes, but it's also about securing the family name. A career in Parliament might save his son from being such a public embarrassment.
Quote #9
LORD GORING. My dear father, only people who look dull ever get into the House of Commons, and only people who are dull ever succeed there. (4.36)
For a self-described slacker, Lord Goring is very hard headed about what he does and doesn't want. He is skeptical of the machine of politics of politician's motives – but he's not going to let us know he's thought that much about it.
Quote #10
LORD CAVERSHAM. You have got what we want so much in political life nowadays - high character, high moral tone, high principles. [To LORD GORING.] Everything that you have not got, sir, and never will have. (4.194)
One of the funny/sad ironies that keeps popping up is Lord Caversham's total dismissal of his son as a useful human being. In reality, Lord Goring is the play's most useful character. His desperate efforts to save a marriage amply demonstrate his character, morality, and principles