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Oscar Wilde Quotations

Writing and Research on Oscar Wilde

QUOTATION: She behaves as if she was [sic] beautiful. Most American women do. It is the secret of their charm.

‍WHERE IT APPEARED

‍

‍In the book version of:

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‍The Picture Of Dorian Gray, Ch. 3

‍Ward, Lock & Co., 1891

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‍In the story the comment is made by Lord Henry Wotton to his uncle George (Lord Fermor) referring to the possible fiancée of a friend, Dartmoor.

‍

WHERE IT DID NOT APPEAR

In the earlier magazine version in:


Lippincott's Monthly Magazine Vol. XLVI, No. 271, July [June 20] 1890, pp. 3-100


The quotation does not appear here as originally published in thirteen chapters.


Book: Mason, 328.

Magazine: Mason, 81.


Bibliography of Oscar Wilde

by Stuart Mason, 1914

LONDON | T. WERNER LAURIE LTD.


John Cooper on Oscar Wilde © 2026