Unlike the stereotypical woman of Victorian culture, the two female characters Gwendolen and Cecily become instigators of love, ranging from influencing the proposal to the composition of their own love letters from their lovers. Gwendolen asserts her boldness in romantic matters when she exclaims to Jack who is hesitant to propose: “I fear you have had very little experience in the manner of proposing” (Powell, 132). Not only do women have a biased view of marriage and their responsibilities within this relationship, but men do too. Algernon said of the proposals: “I really don't see anything romantic to propose. It's very romantic to be in love. But there's nothing romantic about a specific proposal. Well, one can be accepted” (Ericksen, 150). He clearly has a skewed view of marriage. When it comes to Lady Bracknell, her view of marriage is primarily about money and sometimes social respectability. When she asks Jack about the possibility of marrying Gwendolen, she focuses on generally irrelevant characteristics. Lady Bracknell says of Jack's confession about his smoking habit: "I'm glad to hear it." A man should always have some occupation” (Greenblat, 539-540). She continues to be interested in things such as her knowledge and education, her finances and her family.