"GERALD. Of course I am. It means everything to me things that were out of the reach of hope before may be within hope's reach now.
HESTER. Nothing should be out of the reach of hope. Life is a hope."
Gerald is asking Hester why she is the only one who hasn't congratulated him on the offer for Lord Illingworth's secretary position. Hester answers by asking him if he is happy with it. This is Gerard's answer. He sees his happiness materialistically. Getting this new position he will be able to provide for himself with things that were out of reach beboth materialistically and socially. Hester represents a naive, youthful character who believes that happiness doesn't only come with social status or money.
"In my young days, Miss Worsley, one never met any one in society who worked for their living. It was not considered the thing."
Lady Caroline is a character that represents British aristocracy and the old ways of living. She looks upon the youth and the new ways of working for one living with contempt. Hester answers her that people who work for their living are those who are most respected and Lady Caroline gives her usual answer in the form of sarcastic agreement.
"LORD ILLINGWORTH. That is its special vice. That is the special vice of the age. One should sympathise with the joy, the beauty, the colour of life. The less said about life's sores the better, Mr. Kelvil."
Lord Illingworth is having a conversation with Mr. Kelvil about British politics. Mr. Kelvil mentions how the House of Commons has always sympathized with the poor. This is Lord Illingworth's answers which showcases his thoughts and willingness to ignore everything that is not pleasant, to ignore everything that brings sorrow. Now, speaking of sorrow, we can see a little bit of the author's voice in these quoted words from the play. After being imprisoned for his, at the time considered to be, immorality, Wilde wrote a long confessional letter to his friend called De Profundis. In that letter, Wilde touches on leaving his life only for pleasure and leisure ignoring everything that brought sorrow, but he discovered that in sorrow lies the truth of the beauty of life.
