Question

Which lines satirize the Victorians' tendency to place wealth above other factors in deciding whether a person was eligible for marriage?

Answer 1

When Lady Bracknell says: "A hundred and thirty thousand pounds! And in the funds! Miss Cardew seems to me a most attractive young lady, now that I look at her"

Even though the whole scene is about trying to show that Miss Cardew is eligible for marriage, Lady Bracknell doesn't seem to accept it until she learns how much money she has. Suddenly then she seems to be a viable candidate for marriage.