DUMBY
"Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes."

In Oscar Wilde's play Lady Windermere's Fan, the character Dumby delivers this witty aphorism, encapsulating a key theme of the work: the often ironic and contradictory nature of society's morals. This line suggests that people use the term "experience" as a euphemism to justify and soften the blow of their past errors. By labeling their missteps as "experience," individuals attempt to project an image of wisdom gained through life's trials rather than admitting to folly. The remark, delivered in a discussion filled with satire and social commentary, highlights how easily society masks its shortcomings with clever language. Wilde, known for his sharp wit and keen observation of social norms, uses this quip to underscore the play’s critique of Victorian attitudes. It is a reflection on how appearances are often prioritized over truth, revealing the superficiality lurking beneath a veneer of respectability.