Lady Windermere's Fan as a satire?

Wilde's satirical prowess can be seen in Lady Windermere's Fan through the play's focus on gossip, social status, gender politics, morality, and secrecy. The play had a positive popular reception but critics had a strongly negative reaction, likely due to the play's thinly veiled attacks on the upper class. Nonetheless, Wilde is now considered one of the great authors and satirists of his day.