the importance of being earnest analysis essay

The Importance of Being Earnest

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The Importance of Being Earnest: Brief Overview and Thorough Analysis

If you're intrigued by the wit and whimsy of 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' then settle in for a delightful journey through this literary gem. In an era when seriousness reigned supreme in literature, Oscar Wilde's eccentric comedy breathed fresh life into British society of the late 1800s.

At first glance, one might dismiss it as mere frivolity, but that would be a mistake. Behind every comedic flourish lies a profound layer of meaning waiting to be unearthed. Let this article be your guide to The Importance of Being Earnest analysis as we delve into the depths of Wilde's wit, offering a unique perspective and perhaps even a touch of inspiration for your own scholarly pursuits and custom research paper .

Shortly about Oscar Wilde

Born on October 16, 1854, in Dublin, Ireland, Oscar Wilde was destined for literary greatness from the start. With a razor-sharp wit and a penchant for drama, he dazzled those around him from an early age.

After receiving an education at Trinity College, Dublin, Wilde set sail for England, where he quickly became a literary sensation. His plays, novels, and essays captured the essence of Victorian society with a sharpness and humor unparalleled in his time.

Wilde's magnum opus, 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' stands as a testament to his comedic genius and satirical prowess. With its biting wit and clever wordplay, the play remains a staple of English literature, captivating audiences with its timeless humor.

However, behind Wilde's public persona lay a life rife with scandal and controversy. His relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas, known as 'Bosie,' sparked outrage and condemnation in Victorian society, ultimately leading to Wilde's downfall.

In 1895, Wilde faced a series of trials that culminated in his conviction for 'gross indecency' and subsequent imprisonment. Despite the adversity he faced, he maintained his irrepressible spirit, penning one of his most famous works, 'De Profundis,' during his time in prison.

The author's legacy endures not only in his literary works but also in his unapologetic embrace of individualism and defiance of societal norms. His famous aphorisms, such as 'I can resist anything except temptation' and 'We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars,' continue to resonate with readers around the world, reminding us to live life with wit, style, and unyielding authenticity.

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Before we dive into the The Importance of Being Earnest analysis, let's take a moment to familiarize ourselves with the play and briefly review the main characters.

Jack Worthing

A gentleman of wealth and property, Jack leads a double life. In the city, he goes by the name Ernest, while in the countryside, he is Jack. He is responsible, well-meaning, and deeply in love with Gwendolen Fairfax. However, his tangled web of lies threatens to unravel as the play progresses.

Algernon Moncrieff

Jack's close friend and charming bachelor, Algernon, is known for his wit and love of pleasure. He adopts the identity of Ernest to pursue his romantic interests, leading to humorous misunderstandings and complications. Algernon's carefree demeanor contrasts sharply with Jack's more serious nature.

Cecily Cardew

Jack's ward and a charming young woman, Cecily, is sheltered yet spirited, with a penchant for romantic fantasies. She falls deeply in love with the idea of Ernest before even meeting him, setting the stage for a series of comedic misunderstandings with Algernon.

Gwendolen Fairfax

The sophisticated and determined love interest of Jack, Gwendolen, is enamored with the name Ernest and believes it to be a vital prerequisite for a husband. She is headstrong, witty, and unapologetically romantic, determined to marry a man by that name regardless of any obstacles.

Lady Bracknell

Gwendolen's formidable and snobbish mother, Lady Bracknell, is the epitome of Victorian societal expectations. She is determined to secure a suitable match for her daughter and is highly critical of anyone who does not meet her exacting standards, including Jack.

Cecily's governess, Miss Prism, is a well-intentioned but absent-minded character with a mysterious past. She becomes entangled in the romantic entanglements of the other characters, inadvertently revealing secrets that have long been buried.

Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D.

The local rector, Canon Chasuble, is a somewhat oblivious clergyman who becomes embroiled in the romantic escapades of the other characters. He provides a source of comic relief with his peculiarities and misunderstandings.

First performed in 1895, the play revolves around mistaken identities, societal conventions, and the absurdities of romance in Victorian England.

The story begins with Algernon Moncrieff, a charming bachelor, and his friend Jack Worthing. Jack leads a double life, presenting himself as Ernest in the city and Jack in the country. Algernon, intrigued by Jack's mysterious past and his beautiful young ward, Cecily Cardew, decides to visit Jack's country estate.

Meanwhile, Jack is in love with Gwendolen Fairfax, Lady Bracknell's sophisticated and determined daughter. Gwendolen shares Jack's passion, particularly for the name 'Ernest, believing it to be the epitome of masculine charm.

As the plot unfolds, mistaken identities abound. Algernon masquerades as Jack's fictitious brother, Ernest, to court Cecily, who quickly falls in love with the idea of being engaged to someone named Ernest.

The arrival of Gwendolen at Jack's country estate further complicates matters when she discovers that Jack's real name is not Ernest, as she had believed. Nevertheless, both Gwendolen and Cecily remain determined to marry a man named Ernest.

Amidst the chaos, Lady Bracknell arrives, determined to ensure that her daughter marries into a suitable family. However, she is appalled by Jack's mysterious parentage and refuses to consent to his marriage to Gwendolen.

In the end, secrets are revealed, misunderstandings are resolved, and true love triumphs. Jack learns of his true parentage and his real name, Ernest. Lady Bracknell relents, giving her blessing to the marriages of both Jack and Algernon to Gwendolen and Cecily, respectively. The play concludes with a humorous twist as Jack reflects on the absurdity of his own story and the importance of being earnest in matters of both love and social etiquette.

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The Importance of Being Earnest Analysis

The playwright masterfully dissects the hypocrisies and absurdities of the Victorian upper class through a lens of satire and humor. Let's delve deeper into the analysis of The Importance of Being Earnest and examine the key elements of this timeless play:

• Dual Identities and Deception: Wilde explores the theme of dual identities and deception through the characters of Jack and Algernon, who adopt false personas ('Ernest') to navigate social expectations. This theme highlights the disconnect between appearance and reality, exposing the superficiality of societal norms.
• Social Class and Marriage: The play satirizes the rigid social hierarchies and expectations surrounding marriage in Victorian society. Characters like Lady Bracknell embody the aristocratic disdain for those deemed beneath their station, while the pursuit of marriage becomes a farcical endeavor driven by wealth and status rather than genuine affection.
• Morality and Hypocrisy: Wilde exposes the hypocrisy and moral decay lurking beneath the veneer of respectability. The characters engage in deceitful behaviors and moral relativism, challenging conventional notions of virtue and propriety.

2. Characters:

• Jack Worthing (Ernest): Jack serves as a representative of the upper-middle class grappling with societal expectations and personal desires. His adoption of the persona 'Ernest' reflects his desire to escape the constraints of his social identity while also highlighting the absurdity of societal conventions.
• Algernon Moncrieff: Algernon embodies the dandyish charm and hedonistic tendencies prevalent among the aristocracy. His pursuit of pleasure and romantic conquests masks a deeper sense of ennui and disillusionment with societal norms.
• Gwendolen Fairfax: Gwendolen represents the prototypical Victorian woman constrained by societal expectations of femininity and marriage. Her obsession with the name 'Ernest' symbolizes her desire for romantic fulfillment and escape from her stifling existence.
• Cecily Cardew: Cecily embodies youthful innocence and romantic idealism, eagerly awaiting her own romantic hero in the form of 'Ernest.' Her sheltered upbringing and penchant for melodrama serve as a foil to the cynicism of the adult characters.
• Lady Bracknell: Lady Bracknell personifies the aristocratic disdain for social mobility and the pursuit of personal happiness. Her interrogation of potential suitors highlights the absurdity of marriage as a transactional arrangement driven by wealth and lineage.

3. Satirical Techniques:

• Epigrams and Paradoxes: Wilde's use of epigrams and paradoxes infuses the dialogue with wit and irony, challenging conventional wisdom and exposing the contradictions inherent in Victorian society.
• Exaggeration and Farce: The play employs exaggeration and farce to heighten the absurdity of its characters and situations, eliciting laughter while also provoking reflection on deeper societal issues.

4. Resolution:

• Revelations and Irony: The resolution of the play sees the unraveling of deception and the revelation of the characters' true identities. However, the irony lies in the fact that despite the chaos and absurdity, the characters ultimately conform to societal expectations, underscoring the entrenched nature of Victorian values.

As we continue Importance of Being Earnest analysis, let's examine some of the central themes explored in the play that offer insight into the Victorian upper class while challenging traditional norms.

Earnestness

At the heart of the play lies the theme of earnestness, or the lack thereof, among the characters. Wilde examines the contrast between those who take life seriously and those who adopt a more carefree attitude. Characters like Jack and Algernon grapple with their responsibilities, while others, such as Algernon's butler, Lane, exhibit a nonchalant approach to life's obligations.

Responsibility

Wilde explores the notion of responsibility through the actions of his characters. While some, like Jack, exhibit a strong sense of duty towards their societal obligations, others, like Algernon, shirk their responsibilities in favor of pleasure-seeking. This theme highlights the tension between individual desires and societal expectations.

Religion serves as a backdrop against which Wilde critiques the superficiality and hypocrisy of the upper class. The characters' shallow attitude towards religious rituals reflects a broader skepticism towards traditional institutions and moral values. Wilde suggests that religion is often used as a facade to maintain appearances rather than a genuine expression of faith.

Marriage emerges as a central theme in the play, with Wilde satirizing the institution and the societal expectations surrounding it. Despite the characters' aversion to the idea of matrimony, they find themselves entangled in a web of engagements and proposals. Wilde highlights the tension between societal pressure to marry and the desire for personal freedom, particularly among the male protagonists.

Freedom and Individuality

Wilde subtly critiques the constraints placed on individuals by Victorian upper classes, particularly in terms of gender roles and social expectations. Characters like Cecily and Gwendolen assert their independence and agency in pursuing their romantic interests, challenging traditional notions of femininity and passivity.

Social Class

Social class plays a significant role in the play, with characters like Lady Bracknell embodying the aristocratic disdain for those deemed beneath their station. Wilde exposes the absurdity of class distinctions and the superficiality of societal hierarchies, suggesting that one's worth should not be determined by birth or wealth.

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The Importance of Being Earnest Symbols

What are some symbols in The Importance of Being Earnest? They appear throughout the play, bringing additional meaning to the scenes. Let's examine the major figures:

Ernest and Bunbury

Undeniably, both 'brother Ernest' and 'friend Bunbury' are fundamental to the play. 'Ernest' is the fictional alter ego created by Jack and Algernon to escape the constraints of their everyday lives. He represents the desire to break free from societal expectations and indulge in frivolity. Similarly, 'Bunbury' symbolizes the fabricated excuses and deceitful practices employed by the characters to evade responsibility and pursue their desires.

Big city and countryside

The contrast between the bustling city life of London and the tranquil countryside serves as a symbolic reflection of societal attitudes and class distinctions. The characters' discussions about their preferences for city living versus country living highlight their aspirations for social status and cultural refinement. The city represents sophistication and wealth, while the countryside is associated with simplicity and lower social standing. Wilde uses this symbolism to critique the superficiality of societal judgments based on geography and class, challenging the notion that one's worth is determined by one's surroundings.

Food and Dining

Scenes set around the dining table are often accompanied by witty banter and social commentary, highlighting the performative nature of Victorian etiquette. Food becomes a symbol of status and refinement, with characters using elaborate dinner parties and tea ceremonies to assert their social superiority. However, beneath the veneer of civility lies a world of deception and hypocrisy, as characters engage in verbal sparring and manipulation over tea and cucumber sandwiches.

The Importance of Being Earnest Movie

While you can relish Oscar Wilde's play on stage, you can also savor 'The Importance of Being Earnest' movie from the comfort of your home. Unlike the works of George Bernard Shaw, Charles Dickens, or Jane Austen, Wilde's comedic genius creates an atmosphere that is both cozy and humorous, a vibe that shines through in the 2002 film adaptation.

The movie boasts high-quality set decorations and costumes that transport viewers to the England of Queen Victoria. The attention to detail helps recreate the opulence and elegance of the Victorian era, providing a visually stunning backdrop for the witty banter and comedic antics of the characters.

In terms of success, the film achieved impressive financial returns, raking in over seventeen million dollars in revenue worldwide. This widespread success speaks to the enduring appeal of Wilde's timeless humor and the universal themes explored in the play.

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The Importance of Being Earnest Quotes

Oscar Wilde is renowned for his unforgettable quotes, and 'The Importance of Being Earnest' is brimming with brilliant lines that capture the essence of its characters.

Take, for example, Lady Bracknell's infamous line, 'To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune… to lose both seems like carelessness.' This quip not only showcases Wilde's razor-sharp humor but also characterizes Lady Bracknell as a woman lacking in empathy and understanding.

Similarly, Cecily Cardew's remark, 'I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read on the train,' speaks volumes about her shallow and melodramatic nature. It's a witty observation that perfectly encapsulates Cecily's penchant for romantic fantasy and self-absorption.

Throughout the play, Wilde's dialogue is peppered with clever and incisive lines, each tailored to the character uttering them. Whether it's Algernon's irreverent wit or Jack's earnest sincerity, every character's voice rings true, adding depth and humor to the narrative.

As we conclude The Importance of Being Earnest analysis, the phenomenal comedy by Oscar Wilde shook the conservative empire that got used to Charles Dickens, George Bernard Shaw, and Jane Austen. Comedic elements, exaggerations, and different literary devices entertain the audience while reminding them of an important trait like honesty. This author was truly ahead of his time, as the play still wins people's hearts today.

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What Literary Devices Does Oscar Wilde Use in The Importance of Being Earnest?

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The Importance of Being Earnest

Background of the play.

The play has been praised for its humor. It marks the peak of the artistic career of Oscar Wilde. The play lacks any social message. The high mockery and witty dialogues of the play support the play to be one of the most popular plays to date. 

Historical Context

Literary context.

These plays show the characteristics of comedy and drama. These plays are revolving around the same themes as that of The Importance of Being Earnest . The themes include uncertain parentage, the fallen woman, puns, wordplay, dark secrets, mistaken identities, and a biting critique of the social standards and morality of the Victorian era.

The Importance of Being Earnest Summary

Act i, part 1.

When the act 1 begins, Jack unexpectedly announces to Algernon that he wants to propose to his cousin Gwendolen. Algernon finds a cigarette case and makes him come clean and also demands to know who Cecily and Jack are. Jack admits that he is Jack in reality and is disguised as Ernest. He also tells him Cecily is his ward. She is his responsibility thrown upon him by the will of his adoptive father.

Act I, Part 2

Act ii, part 1, act ii, part 2, act iii, part 1.

Though the women have become a little bit calm, they are still anxious about the problem of the name. They both forgive Jack and Algernon when they tell them that they have made arrangements to be christened as Ernest. The pairs embrace themselves. At that very instant, the arrival of Gwendolen’s mother, Lady Bracknell, is announced.

Lady Bracknell suggests Jack reconsider his decision, and he tells her that the matter is entirely his own hands. Once she agrees to the marriage between Jack and Gwendolen, he will agree to the marriage between Algernon and Cecily. Lady Bracknell refuses for any deal. When Gwendolen and Lady Bracknell are leaving, the local Rector, Mr. Chasuble, arrives and asks for Miss Prism, the governess of Cecily. Lady Bracknell insists on meeting Miss Prism.

Act III, Part 2

Moreover, it is also revealed that originally Jack had been christened as “Ernest John. Unknowingly, he had been telling the truth that his name is Jack and had a brother – Algernon. The story ends with the couples embracing each other. D, Chasuble, and Miss Prism also follow suit. Jack realizes that he really understands “The importance of being earnest.

The Importance of Being Earnest Characters Analysis

John worthing (jack/ernest), jack worthing.

Jack Worthing is the protagonist of the play. Before the play opens, he is found by Mr. Thomas Cardew (who is now dead) in the cloakroom at the London’s railway station. Jack is the foundation of the community of Hertfordshire. He is the landowner and Justice of Peace. Though he was assumed to be born as an illegitimate child, he has grown up as an apparently respectable and responsible young man.

Algernon Moncrieff

In the play, Algernon appears to be a supporter of aestheticism. He stands for Wilde and the modish characters in his plays such Lord Goring from An Ideal Husband, Lord Illingworth from A Woman of No Importance, and Lord Darlington from Lady’s Windermere’s Fan.

Cecily Cardew

Gwendolen fairfax, lady bracknell, rev. canon chasuble, d.d., themes in the importance of being earnest, the nature of marriage.

The questions Lady Bracknell prepares for the list of bachelor to interview also shows her views about the purpose and nature of marriage. Generally viewing, these views are the representation of the views of the convention of the people on the marriage in the Victorian Era. Like Lady Bracknell, Victorians focus on income, character, and social position.

Towards the end of the play, Jack asks for forgiveness from Gwendolen when he acknowledges that when he realizes that he had been speaking truth unintentionally all his life. She forgives him on the account that he is certain to change. This view of Gwendolen suggests her cynical views about marriage and the nature of men.

The Restrictions of Morality

One of the major topics of the conversation between the characters of the play The Importance of Being Earnest is the notion of morality and the restrictions it imposes on society. According to Algernon, it is the responsibility of the servant class to set the standards of morality for the upper class. For Jack, reading someone’s private cigarette case is “ungentlemanly.” However, Algernon says that the majority of modern culture is based on what one should not read.

The views and restrictions propose that in Victorian society, strict codes of morality were practiced. However, in the play, Oscar Wilde is not at all concerned with what is moral and what is not moral. Rather he satirizes the whole idea of morality in the Victorian Society. In Victorian society, morality was regarded as the strict body of rules and regulations about what people are supposed to do and what is not.

Hypocrisy vs. Ingenuity

Jack and Algernon in the play appear to be deceptive in the same way. However, they are not morally equal. When Jacks comes to the house with the news of his fake brother’s death, he also imposes the pretentiousness of his family, who are unaware of the deception. He wears mourning clothes and does his best to convince his family that he is really mourning. He acts hypocritically.

However, contrary to Jack, Algernon and Cecily establish elaborated stories that are not an attack on truth in any way. They both do not attempt to change the perception of reality. We can say that Cecily and Algernon are the characters that speak of Wilde’s heart. These characters create a life for themselves according to the notion that life is a work of art.

The Importance of Not Being “Earnest”

Algernon assumes that people are “shallow” if they are not “serious” about meals. Similarly, Gwendolen states that “In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing.”

The Importance of Being Earnest Analysis

Later in the play, Gwendolen says that, for her the only safe name is Ernest and considers it as a divine name that has its own music. 

The Double Life and Disguise

In Victorian society, it was a common practice to visit poor people by upper and middle-class people. The only difference between Jack and Algernon’s action as Jack not only disguised himself as what he is not as in the shape of Ernest, he routinely pretends to be what he is not, in shape, a responsible, earnest, and dutiful individual. This double living proposes the utmost degree of deception and hypocrisy. Wilde highlights the double standard and hypocrisy of Victorian society through his double-living of his characters.  

Writing and Fictional Characters

The diary of Cecily is also a kind of fiction. In the diary, she has mentioned her fictional romance with Ernest. She has recorded the details and development of her romance entirely based on her imagination.  Moreover, When Gwendolen and Cecily fight over who is engaged to Ernest, Cecily refers to her diary in which she wrote an imaginary date of her engagement. The fact that she has written something makes it a fact.

Oscar’s Wilde employs the lowest form of verbal wit in The Importance of Being Earnest. In the play, the puns employed are not simply the play on words. First of all, the very title of the play employs a pun. The pun on the notion of Ernest and earnest is a harsh satire on the notion of dutifulness and respectability practiced by Victorians.

In the play, Gwendolen only intends to marry the person whose name is Ernest. She is not at all concerned with the fact that whether the person really carries those qualities or not. Moreover, when Jack tells her that he is changing his name to Ernest, she instantly forgives him.

Other than these, there are a lot of indirect and implicit puns in the play about line or connection that can refer to both travel and ancestry. Oscar Wilde is making fun of the snobbery of Lady Bracknell. He portrays as if she is not able to distinguish between family line and railway line, the railway connection and social connection, the ancestral origin of the person, and the chance of where he could have been found. In fact, the employment of puns adds more meaning to the dialogues of characters, and the readers/audience are indulged in extracting the meaning of what has been communicated.

With regard to the gender roles, the women in the play also illustrate an inversion to the recognized practices of the Victorian era. For example, Lady Bracknell is interviewing Jack by assuming the role of Gwendolen’s father. In Victorian society, interviewing a suitor is typically the role of a father. Likewise, Gwendolen and Cecily are getting hold of their own lives while men are passive in this regard.

At the end of the play, Wilde plays a trick on Miss Prism, which is also an inversion. Wilde shows her as a “fallen woman” of melodrama who initially appears to be puritan.

Apart from giving dark humor to the play, the jokes on death are associated with the notion of life being a work of art. In the play, the characters discuss death as something which they can control as if death is something on which one can decide how to create their life.    

Wilde contributed the figure of the dandy to the form of Victorian melodrama. The dandy is the character who gives a lesson on morality, which he never processed. The literary works of Oscar Wilde, the dandy appears to be a styled philosopher, witty, and overdressed who speaks exaggerated dialogue and paradoxes. He ridicules the insincerity and hypocrisy of the moral mediators of society. To a great extent, the dandy figure was a portrayal of Wilde’s personality.

The tone of the play The Importance of Being Earnest is playful, humorous, and introspective. The creative ability of Oscar Wilde makes the play playful and humorous. He makes fun of his own characters by making them utter exaggerated dialogues full of puns and humor. Oscar Wilde also makes the play introspective by criticizing various social values and beliefs of Victorian society.

The play The Importance of Being Earnest is the comedy-drama. The play is full of disguises, twists, and turns that create a comic effect of the play. The main conflict in the play is resolved at the end and all characters of the reunite happily.

Setting of the Play

The play The Importance of Being Earnest has two important settings. The first setting is the countryside of Hertfordshire, where Jack estate the Manor House lies. The second setting of the play is the city of London, where Gwendolen, Algernon, and Lady Bracknell live. Jack also visits London on occasions in the disguise of Ernest. Moreover, the references to the cloakroom of Victoria’s railway station are also made in the play. 

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The Importance of Being Earnest

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The Art of Deception: Fact v. Fiction

As a leader of the Aesthetic movement, Wilde was especially interested in the relationship between life and art, pondering the eternal question, “Does art imitate life, or life imitate art?” Wilde explores this relationship in The Importance of Being Earnest through the conflict that arises when fact collides with fiction. The conflict between fact and fiction is driven by Algernon and Jack’s lies about their respective identities, specifically the fictional personas they create in order…

The Pursuit of Marriage

The pursuit of marriage is a driving force behind much of the play’s action. Similar to many Victorian novels of the period, the play reads as a marriage plot, documenting the errors in social etiquette and romantic upheavals that come about as Jack and Algernon stumble towards the altar. Jack pursues Gwendolen’s hand, while Algernon pursues Cecily . Because Jack and Algernon are willing to go to such outlandish lengths to appease Gwendolen and Cecily’s…

Cash, Class, and Character

The Victorian society in which Wilde lived was concerned with wealth, family status, and moral character, especially when it came to marriage. Lady Bracknell’s interrogation of Jack’s proposal to marry Gwendolen demonstrates the three “Cs”—cash, class, and character. First she asks him about his finances and then his family relations, a measure of his class. That Jack has none—no family relations, or family name, reflects poorly on his character. Upon finding that Jack has no…

Name and Identity

Through Jack’s search for his origins and family name, Wilde satirizes the Victorian Era’s intense scrutiny of cash, class, and character. Wilde subversively prods this question through the name of “ Ernest ,” a Christian name, or given name, as opposed to a family name. The name of “Ernest” comes to symbolize different things for different people. For Gwendolen and Cecily it “inspires absolute confidence” but also symbolizes the ideal husband/ lover. For Jack, “Ernest”…

Hypocrisy, Folly, and Victorian Morality

A witty wordsmith, Wilde exposes the hypocrisy of the Victorians’ strict social mores through puns, paradoxes, epigrams, and inversions in the characters’ actions and dialogue. For instance the characters often say and do the opposite of what they mean, or intend. Gwendolen flips “style” and “sincerity” when she says, “In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing.” One would expect that “sincerity” should take precedence over “style” in “matters of grave…

Men and Women in Love

In the game of love that Wilde plays throughout The Importance of Being Earnest , Jack and Algernon , who strive for love, are pitted against the fickleness of the women they desire. Even though Wilde assigns stereotypical gender roles to each sex—Jack and Algernon are suave dandies , while Cecily and Gwendolen are vapid beauties—when it comes to marriage and love, he places women in a position of power because they are able to…

The Importance of Being Earnest - Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas

The Importance of Being Earnest is a comedic play by Oscar Wilde that satirizes the Victorian social norms and aristocratic pretenses. Essays on this play might explore Wilde’s witty dialogue, the social commentary embedded within the humor, or the characters’ quest for personal freedom amidst societal expectations. Other angles might include examining the play’s influence on later literary works, or dissecting the relevance of its satire in today’s social scenario. A vast selection of complimentary essay illustrations pertaining to The Importance of Being Earnest you can find at PapersOwl Website. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

The Importance of being Earnest Analysis

The Importance of Being Earnest was a play first performed in London 1895, written by Oscar Wilde. If one takes this play face value this play is just a humorous play, but it has a darker meaning. It is truly mocking the Victorian Society of the time. This play is a horatian satire, which are happy and joyful, but seeks to correct foolishness with laughter. But all the while also attacks the characteristics of Victorian time. Oscar Wilde wrote this […]

Title: the Importance of being Earnest

Characteristics of the Genre: “The Importance of Being Earnest” is a mix of genres: satire and comedy of manners. Comedy of manners is shown in the play through the flamboyant characters, Algernon and Jack, and their witty conversations with each other. The satirical dialogue in the play has elements of sexual jokes and puns, this is significant as it conveys the purpose of the play which is to mock the ways of the Victorian society and people’s mindset towards marriage. […]

The Hidden Truth of Victorian Marriage between the Lines of Oscar Wilde’s Poetry

During the Victorian era, Victorian girls were well trained and groomed by their mothers to become the perfect wives and mothers. Relationships between a man and female, in this era, often led to marriage. Before marriage, physical contact between a woman and man was looked down upon. Individuals, within the Victorian era, married within their same level of class and the woman become the devoted housewife. In the Victorian weddings, a white dress indicated leisure and innocence of pre-marriage sexual […]

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Marriage in the Importance of being Earnest

The importance of being earnest employs satire in mocking the Victorian age mindset of, love and social norms of marriage. This comic play ironically expounds on the theme of manners by portraying social conventions in making its audience laugh. Triviality is another theme the play is trying to bring out. Oscar Wilde through that play shows how trivial matters are given more attention by people instead of earnest matters through the relationships and marriages in the play. The importance of […]

“The Importance of being Earnest” : Centuries & Marriage

Throughout the years marriage has evolved in many ways. Women now have more rights and privileges, love plays a major role in the matrimonies that take place, an engagement is entered into and neither person has to approach it like it is a business deal, and people do not have guidelines or rules to follow. Courtship was cruel to both men and women, it did not allow them to get to know other people. Now, couples can test compatibility before […]

Idea of Marriage in Oscar Wilde’s Book

"In the book, The Importance of being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde, mentions the ideals of marriage between the characters and their situations. The Importance of Being Earnest focuses on two main couples, Jack (Ernest) and Gwendolen and Algernon and Cecily. However, Lady Bracknell, Gwendolens mother, plays a key role in the plot of satire that is being used regarding marriage ideals, as her ideals sum the ridiculous standards of the Victorian Age. Oscar Wilde uses satire to ridicule the cultural […]

Gender Roles and Love in “The Importance of being Earnest”

“The Importance of Being Earnest” is a trivial comedy for serious people written by Oscar Wilde. Wilde expresses comedy through purposely criticizing the aristocratic. In “The Importance of Being Earnest,” Oscar Wilde treats humorously serious issues and conflicts, such as class structure, marriage and courtship, as if they are a joke to the Victorian Society. In the Victorian Society and even in today’s society, the world is extremely stereotypical against gender. Wilde views the females in the play stereotypically. For […]

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Algernon sees marriage as an undesirable burden in life. He is doubtful about the true happiness and love that can come with marriage and therefore has his concerns about living the rest of his life in an unhealthy relationship. In Act I, as Algernon is talking to his butler Lane, Lane says “I often observed that in married households the champagne is rarely of a first rate brand,” and Algernon responds by saying “is marriage so demoralizing as that?” (Wilde, […]

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At first glance, Oscar Wilde’s Importance of Being Earnest, appears to be a witty comedic work. When one takes a closer look, however, it becomes apparent that Wilde was issuing a variety of criticisms about the Victorian period. The characters are perceived as having power and wealth, and the very idea having said power causes the characters to behave in a way that they believe to be worthy of that power. They will stop at nothing to keep up this […]

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Oscar Wilde trivializes serious aspects of life and makes it look like they are of lesser importance. In the fictional play, “The Importance of Being Earnest”, published in 1898, author Oscar Wilde, characters are used to make fun at the upper class and criticize their ways of life to make them look like they are of lesser importance. Oscar Wilde uses characters such as Algernon, Lady Bracknell, and Cecily to trivialize society and show how aspects of life such as […]

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The importance of being Earnest relates to the notion that The plotline of an absurdist drama, if any exists, generally ends up where it started— nothing has been accomplished and characters are the same at the end of the play as they were at the start in the same way that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead does. While the importance of being Earnests plotline ends off where it begun with only slight changes, Earnest still being Earnest yet not fooling […]

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"The Importance of Being Earnest," originally a play by Oscar Wilde, has delighted audiences with its satirical wit and incisive portrayal of Victorian society since its premiere in 1895. The play has been adapted into several films, each offering a unique interpretation of Wilde's text. This essay explores the 2002 film adaptation directed by Oliver Parker, comparing it to the original play to understand how the medium transition from stage to screen influences the portrayal of characters, the setting, and […]

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Plot Summary for the Importance of being Earnest

The importance of being earnest : protagonist.

In Oscar Wilde's timeless classic, "The Importance of Being Earnest," the characters take center stage in a theatrical masterpiece of wit, satire, and societal critique. Embedded within the fabric of Wilde's narrative is the concept of the protagonist, traditionally seen as the driving force behind the plot. However, Wilde skillfully subverts this conventional notion, presenting a paradox that challenges typical character archetypes. Through a fresh lens on this paradox, we embark on an exploration of the multifaceted protagonism exhibited by […]

The Importance of being Earnest Film Analysis

"The Importance of Being Earnest," directed by Oliver Parker, is a vibrant adaptation of Oscar Wilde's beloved play of the same name. The film captures the essence of Wilde's acerbic wit and satirical commentary on the Victorian society, bringing to life the play’s intricate humor and timeless themes. This essay delves into the cinematic elements that Parker employed to enhance Wilde’s narrative, exploring how the film’s direction, acting, set design, and thematic portrayal contribute to its success as both a […]

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How to Write an Essay About The Importance Of Being Earnest

Understanding 'the importance of being earnest'.

Before writing an essay about Oscar Wilde's 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' it is crucial to understand the play's context, themes, and characters. This comedic play, first performed in 1895, is known for its satire of Victorian social norms and commentary on the triviality with which society treats serious institutions like marriage. Begin your essay by outlining the plot, which revolves around the protagonists Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, who adopt fictitious identities to escape societal obligations. Discuss the main characters, including Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew, and the role they play in the narrative. Address the historical and cultural context of Victorian England, which is pivotal for understanding the play's themes, including the critique of social conventions and the concept of 'double lives.'

Developing a Thesis Statement

A strong essay on 'The Importance of Being Earnest' should be centered around a clear, concise thesis statement. This statement should present a specific viewpoint or argument about the play. For instance, you might analyze the play's treatment of hypocrisy and deception, explore its satirical take on Victorian society, or discuss the use of irony and wit in character development and dialogue. Your thesis will guide the direction of your essay and provide a structured approach to your analysis.

Gathering Textual Evidence

To support your thesis, it's essential to gather evidence from the text. This involves close reading to find relevant quotes, dialogues, and scenes that support your argument. For example, if discussing the theme of deception, identify key moments in the play that highlight the characters' use of deceit and the resulting comedic situations. Use these examples to build your argument and provide depth to your analysis.

Analyzing Wilde's Techniques and Themes

Analyze how Oscar Wilde uses literary techniques to develop the play's themes and characters. Discuss his use of wit and irony, the play’s structure, and Wilde's unique style of dialogue. For example, explore how the concept of 'bunburying' serves as a tool to critique societal norms and expectations. This analysis should demonstrate a deep understanding of the text and how Wilde communicates his critique of society.

Concluding the Essay

Conclude your essay by summarizing your main arguments and restating your thesis in light of the discussion. Your conclusion should tie together your insights into 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' emphasizing the significance of your findings. Reflect on the broader implications of the play, such as its enduring relevance and its place in the canon of English literature.

Reviewing and Refining Your Essay

After completing your essay, review and refine it for clarity and coherence. Ensure that your arguments are well-structured and supported by textual evidence. Check for grammatical accuracy and ensure that your essay flows logically from one point to the next. Consider seeking feedback from teachers or peers to help improve your essay. A well-written essay on 'The Importance of Being Earnest' will not only demonstrate your understanding of the play but also your ability to engage critically with literary texts.

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“The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde

Welcome to our The Importance of Being Earnest essay sample! Here, you’ll find the analysis of the story’s main themes and comedy elements. Get ideas for your essay on The Importance of Being Earnest with our essay sample.

The Importance of Being Earnest Essay Thesis Statement

The importance of being earnest essay introduction, morality and marriage, why a comedy, the importance of being earnest essay conclusion, works cited.

Oscar Wilde had written during the Victorian time which was an era that laid much emphasis on moral values. It can be contended that The Importance of Being Earnest is in essence a play on morality since the major argument surfacing after its reading relates to honesty as being the best policy.

Although the learning from the play strengthens the values as prevailing during the period, there is quite a lot in the play that is not as per convention. The primary reason for Wilde’s success was that he was able to narrate an appealing story that further strengthened the prevailing social values. This he was able to do by making use of the untraditional relationships and images.

The Importance of Being Earnest was the last play written by Oscar Wilde and it undoubtedly became the most celebrated. George Bernard Shaw and H G Wells considered the play amongst the funniest that were ever written and to this day the play continues to absorb and entertain theatre lovers through out the world.

The play makes fun of the literary world, the aristocratic society and the customs and mannerisms of the British, while at the same time questions the concept of identity. The plans of the different characters in the play are seen to be going topsy-turvy due to the occurrence of unexpected developments. Wilde has skilfully taken up the issues of romantic gamesmanship, social ambitions and class pretensions through wit sharpened dialogues.

A major reason for the play’s success is the large number of spicy epigrams used by Wilde. Although some of the succinct and inconsistent statements relate to contemporary happenings, most of them are general manifestations of beauty, classes, women and men.

Most of the statements are being quoted to this day and keep on delighting the audience with their mix of absurdities and sophistication. Other than revealing the beauty, the play is a masterpiece in depicting Victorian styles as prevalent during the time, especially in relation to morality and marriage.

For long, marriage had been a significant issue and Wilde had depicted its scheming use as a social instrument of progression. Other than Miss Prism, all the ladies in the play are seen as having hidden motives in regard to romance. Wilde has convincingly criticized the superficial ways of politeness as practiced by society and has outlined the nature of the shallow masks that were worn by aristocratic Victorians.

A major source of humour in the play is the confused source of values as displayed by the characters. In this regard, Wilde had commented about the play as being “exquisitely trivial, a delicate bubble of fancy, and it has its philosophy that we should treat all the trivial things of life seriously, and all the serious things of life with sincere and studied triviality,” (Oscar Wilde, 2005).

Wilde had impressed upon his actors to speak out their words very seriously so that the audience did not think that they were joking. Although in essence the play is a comedy that relates to protocol, it has openly used ridiculous means to minimize its significance. Fortunately the audience is ever willing to ignore the inconsistency and indiscretions in the play.

Within the structure of the play one can feel the allusions of homosexuality implied in the male characters. It is known that while he was writing this play, Wilde was leading a twin life of a married man as also of a homosexual.

The original audiences of the play were utterly shocked at the reference of such a culture in the play and unfortunately for Wilde, the success of the play was not carried too further as his well known trial began after the opening night of the play and his career began to get loose.

There are two major issues forming the critique of The Importance of Being Earnest. Firstly, although the play was very well received by audiences when it opened for the first time, critics during the time openly questioned the moral aspects pertinent in the play.

The play was attacked by George Bernard Shaw for its “real degeneracy” (Bob Nelson, 1993), and described the playwright’s word play as being rather hateful and sinister. The second issue relates to the dramatic framework of the play in exhibiting aspects of parody, comedy of manners and mockery. Critics have been unable to come to a conclusion in regard to what category the play belongs to.

Critics are divided on the issue of morality in The Importance of Being Earnest. According to Edouard Roditi, who wrote the book Oscar Wilde, the playwright’s comedy did not rise higher than “the incomplete or the trivial” (Edouard Roditi, 1947).

Roditi felt that the play did not have ethical perspectives since no character saw through other characters nor criticized their values. Eric Bentley also felt the same way and concluded that “because of its ridiculous action, the play fails to break… into bitter criticism of serious issues” (Eric Bentley, 1987).

Otto Reinert has opined that Wilde’s comedy has had the effect of “an exposure both of hypocrisy and of the unnatural convention that necessitates hypocrisy” (Otto Reinert, 1956). Consequently there was a superficial cover up of the white lies that maintained politeness in the so called polite society, which alone was able to give the plot a moral meaning.

This is exemplified by the instance in the play when Algernon is criticized by Lady Bracknell for having taken care of his make believe friend, Bunberry who was supposed to make a decision whether he was going to die or live. In criticizing him she voices her conservative belief that “illness in others is always faked [and]… consequently sympathy with invalids is faked also” (Oscar Wilde, 2005)

Although Lady Bracknell is portrayed as respecting convention she is believed to have had no illusions about “the reality her professed convention is supposed to conceal” (Otto Reinert, 1956). She presumes that both Bunberry and Algeron are “bubburying” and she behaves in a way that “exposes the polite cynicism that negates all values save personal convenience and salon decorum” (Otto Reinert, 1956).

The lady’s behaviour is in the nature of exposing the polite cynicism in negating all desired values except salon decorum and personal convenience. Lady Bracknell is not protected from her own shortcomings in being extra earnest.

She disapproves of marriages amongst mercenaries and admits that when she had married Lord Bracknell she did not have any fortune, which implied that she was opposed to marrying for money, and that she was not in possession of much wealth at the time she married a wealthy man.

According to Reinert, “this position is neither cynical nor funny. It represents… [a] compromise between practical hardheadedness and conventional morality” (Otto Reinert, 1956).

In all, the play has not endorsed social dishonesty and for some time it makes a mockery of respectability. The use of paradoxical morality by Wilde has served as an evaluation of the “the problem of manners.”

This is so because Algeron, in trying to escape the pretence of conventions, becomes a hypocrite himself when he pretends to be a person that he actually is not. Wilde has conveyed that the so called Victorian morality forced people to lead a life of double standards, one that was frolicsome and another that was respectable, none of them being solemn.

A critical issue in the play relates to the categorization of the play. It has been described as a “farce that represents the reality that Victorian convention pretends to ignore” (Otto Reinert, 1956). The characters have not been ironic enough by way of saying something but meaning something else.

In fact they really mean what ever they state, which is evident from the fact that Algernon does not wish to attend lady Bracknell’s dinner party since she will invariably make him sit near Mary Farquhar who is in the habit of flirting while sitting with her own husband.

Reinert has written in this regard that, “Algernon is indignant with a woman who spoils the fun of extramarital flirtation and who parades her virtue. He is shocked at convention. And his tone implies that he is elevating break of convention into a moral norm,” (Otto Reinert, 1956). This makes things conventional out of unconventional situations.

Wilde’s comedy is seen as working through a caricature in transforming the techniques of comedy, plot situations and the characters.

The play has been defended against the charge that it was just a mockery because mockery “depends for its effects upon extremely simplified characters tangling themselves up in incongruous situations, as in Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors or Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer.

Instead, the comedy of Earnest subsists, for the most part, not in action or situation but in dialogue, which is too witty and intellectual to be described simply as a farce,”(Forster, 1956).

Instead of being a comedy of manners or a mockery, Forster believed that Wilde used characters and familiar plot devices satirizing the Victorian community. The relationship that Jack has with Gwendolen symbolizes the problems faced by lovers in being forced to stay away from getting married due to class differences.

Wilde found a novel solution by establishing Jack’s patrimony in being the child at the railway station. A common feature of romantic literature pertains to falling in love at first sight which too is demonstrated by Wilde in total contrast when Cecily falls in love with Algernon, not at first sight but simply because she is under the impression that his name is Everest.

Although Algernon is depicted as being cynical, but there is evidence in indicating that such cynicism is shallow since after he met Cecily, “Algernon is engaged to be married and reconciled to getting christened,” (Forster, 1956).

In appearing to be innocent and protected, Cecily conveys that it would become a hypocritical situation if Algernon tries to be good while trying to project himself as being fiendish. According to Forster, “The moral of Wilde’s parody: the rake is a fake, girlish innocence is the bait of a monstrous mantrap, the wages of sin in matrimony,” (Forster, 1956).

In essence the dramatic troubles as identified by some critics in the play, are seen as being its strengths. Forster emphasizes that the whole point of the play lies in the machinations of its plot and the convenience outlined behind the numerous coincidences that are neatly placed in its resolutions.

Bob Nelson, The Importance of Being Earnest , A study Guide.

Edouard Roditi, Oscar Wilde, 1947, Norfolk: New Directions

Eric Bentley, The Playwright as Thinker, 1987, Harvest Books Foster, Richard. “Wilde as Parodist: A Second Look at The Importance Of Being Earnest.” October, 1956, College English

Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, 2005, Prestwick House Inc

Reinert, Otto. “Satiric Strategy in The Importance Of Being Earnest.” October, 1956, College English

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Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest: Analysis

• Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of…

Oscar Wilde was an established writer of the late 1800’s who had a gift of being witty. The “dazzling conversationalist”(Norton 1720) was once reported by Yeats whom said, “I never before heard a man talking with perfect sentences, as if he had written them all overnight with labor and yet all spontaneous”(Norton 1720).

Wilde displays this natural wittiness in his well-known play “The Importance of Being Earnest” which is a hilariously satirized caricature of the Victorian age and the hypocritical values that the people of that time held. In his work, Wilde exposes the scandalous social beliefs and ideals of the aristocratic society by derisively mocking their contemporary voguish ways.

By creating a laughing stock of the false views of having to live an earnest life, the fact that many actually live a double life, and the hypocritical stance of their societal mores, Wilde helps to bring to light the breakdown of Victorian values.

Being earnest or having earnestness can be most adequately defined as showing sincerity of feeling or being serious in intention, purpose, or effort. Simply put, it is the serious and determined desire to do the right thing. This entire idea of needing to be earnest was at the very top of the Victorian’s code of conduct even though many people lead corrupt lives.

The Victorians saw earnestness as the overall sublime virtue that one must achieve in their life in order to gain the acceptance of the aristocratic society. The way many revered it is almost trivial. They held it up on such a high pedestal that they nearly anthropomorphized earnestness into more than just a manner of being.

Wilde captures this perfectly with his character Gwendolen who says, “We live, as I hope you know, Mr. Worthing, in an age of ideals…and my ideal has always been to love someone by the name of Earnest. There is something in that name that inspires absolute confidence” (Wilde 1742). Gwendolen can also later be seen saying how “the only really safe name is Ernest” and that “it is a divine name” with “a music of its own” (Wilde 1742). The presence of earnestness in someone is not a bad thing but the fact that people started holding each other to this standard as if it was the only way is what caused the trouble.

Many felt the pressure of having to live up to the idea of being earnest as tiresome, so they devised a way to satisfy society’s longings and their own as well. By living double lives, people were able to sustain their respectable image in society but then be their selves elsewhere. Jack and Algernon are both epitomes of this double life scandal.

Jack creates a fictitious brother whom he calls Ernest so that he can leave his duty as guardian and his home in the country under the false pretenses that his “brother” is sick so that he may venture to town without suspicion. There he courts his love Gwendolen and entertains himself with many pricey pleasures. Likewise, Algernon creates a friend whom he calls Bunbury so that he may escape from town to the country whenever he likes.

At one point, he even pretended to be Jack’s brother Ernest to win the heart of Cecily, for he knew how much women valued a man being called by that name. This type of lifestyle was very common in the Victorian age and is still heard of today. Algernon confirms this by saying, “What you really are is a Bunburyist… You are one of the most advanced Bunburyists I know” (Wilde 1738).

Jack however sees the immorality of all the lies and says later in return, “I’m not a Bunburyist at all. If Gwendolen accepts me, I am going to kill my brother, indeed I think I’ll kill him in any case… And I strongly advise you to do the same with Mr…. with your invalid friend who has the absurd name” (Wilde 1739). This art of “Bunburying” grew as more and more people felt the need to live separate lives, one masked by earnestness and the other plain.

Oscar Wilde reveals the hypocrisy of these strict social Victorian mores through many literary devices but most notably through inversions in the speeches of his characters. Gwendolen, for example, exchanges the word “style” for “sincerity” when she says, “In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing” (Wilde 1768).

Sincerity is typically held higher than style, especially in “matters of grave importance”, but this is what Wilde wanted us to see. Another notable case is when Lady Bracknell changes her mind about Algernon and Cecily’s engagement when she learns that Cecily is the heiress to a great fortune.

Ironically, while money seems to be the key quality in Bracknell’s eyes for marriage, it is not sufficient enough for her to approve of Jack’s proposal to Gwendolen, seeing that his family tree was unknown and that she did not want her daughter to “form an alliance with a parcel” (Wilde 1745).

Bracknell’s duplicate attitude towards what she believes to be sound is hypocrisy at its finest and shows the paradoxical nature of Victorian beliefs.

By mocking and satirizing Victorian’s views of having to live an earnest life, the reality that many live double lives, and their hypocritical societal mores, Oscar Wilde exposes the breakdown of Victorian values. The way he does so is his play is conceptually witty and entertaining. His characters show perfectly the falseness of the people during this time and the ideals of which they had.

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This is quite helpful. Thanks to the entire team!

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The Importance of Being Earnest

By oscar wilde, the importance of being earnest summary and analysis of act i, scene 1.

Act I - Part 1:

In Algernon Moncrieff 's stylish London flat in 1895, his butler, Lane , arranges afternoon tea. After playing piano in an adjoining room, Algernon enters. He says that while he does not play with accuracy, he plays with "wonderful expression." He asks Lane if he has prepared the cucumber sandwiches for Lady Bracknell 's arrival, then takes two of the finished sandwiches and sits on the sofa. They discuss marriage and Algernon expresses the opinion that it is "demoralising" before he excuses Lane. After he muses on the lower class's inability to set a good example for the upper class, Lane brings in Ernest Worthing (who is listed as "John Worthing" in the cast list and "Jack" in the body of the play, although both Lane and Algernon believe his name is Ernest), who has just returned from the country.

When Jack discovers that Lady Bracknell--Algernon's aunt--and Gwendolen, her daughter, are coming to tea, he reveals he has come to London to propose to her. Algernon ridicules the notion of marriage, vowing he will never marry, while fending Jack off from the cucumber sandwiches (which Algernon gladly eats). Jack joins him on the sofa, and Algernon says before Jack can marry Gwendolen, he has to clear up the issue of Cecily. Algernon calls Lane to bring in Jack's cigarette case; he shows that the inscription is from someone named Cecily. Jack says she is his aunt, and that he wants the case back. Algernon is doubtful, since she has written "'From little Cecily, with her fondest love to her dear Uncle Jack.'" Jack says his name is Ernest in town and Jack in the country. Algernon says he has always suspected Jack was a "Bunburyist," and now he has proof.

Jack explains that Thomas Cardew, who adopted him, willed Jack to be guardian to his granddaughter, Cecily. Cecily now lives at Jack's place in the country under the guidance of her governess, Miss Prism . Since Jack must maintain a high level of morality to set an example, he needs an excuse to get into town. Therefore, he has invented a ne'er-do-well younger brother named Ernest who lives in Albany. "Ernest's" constant problems require Jack's attendance. Algernon confesses that he has created an invalid friend in the countryside, Bunbury, for when he needs to get out of town. Jack insists that he is through with "Ernest," but Algernon maintains that he will need him more than ever if he marries.

Algernon's throwaway quip to Lane that "anyone can play [piano] accurately but I play with wonderful expression" is a good thumbnail of Wilde's philosophy of art. Wilde was heavily influenced by Walter Pater and the other aesthetes of the Victorian age. They believed art should concern itself only with its aesthetic qualities, that art should exist for art's sake alone. Therefore, art should not be a straightforward representation of reality--it should not be "accurate," as Algernon would say--but rather it should be an extension of its creator's artistic styles. Hence, it should have "wonderful expression."

Wilde, through the skeptical Algernon, makes an immediate critique of marriage as "demoralising," and throughout the scene the best bon mots are reserved for mocking that most traditional romantic covenant. Wilde is the master of the epigram, a concise, typically witty or paradoxical saying. His skill lies not only in coining wholly new epigrams, but in subverting established ones. For instance "in married life, three is company and two is none" captures the monotony of monogamy by playing it against the commonplace "two is company, three's a crowd."

That Wilde chose "Bunbury" as the name for double identities may prove telling. Wilde is one of history's most famous homosexuals, convicted in 1895 for homosexual sodomy with Lord Alfred Douglas ("Bosie"). Prior to that, Wilde made greater attempts to hide his sexual orientation, even marrying a woman. Does Wilde connect his characters' need to Bunbury to his own dual identities: the public heterosexual and the private homosexual? Some critical attention has been given to the word "Bunbury." Separating "bun" and "bury," some read it as a description of male-to-male intercourse. Indeed, it has been confirmed that there are several allusions to London's homosexual world intended for Wilde's contemporary, homosexual audience. However, we can read a homosexual subtext into many of the lines now: "Nothing will induce me to part with Bunbury. A man who marries without knowing Bunbury has a very tedious time of it." Aside from continuing the motif of intercourse with the word "part," Algernon clearly relates the need for an alter ego to the oppressive sexuality of marriage.

Another staple of the play is its humorous depiction of class tensions. Lane, the butler, is given his fair share of droll sayings, and even Algernon seems to recognize that the lower class has more power than they seem to: "If the lower orders don't set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them?" But this is not a serious play, and all the conflicts are quickly resolved through humor; when Algernon is upset over his depleted supply of champagne, Lane deflates the discussion of class and turns the topic to marriage.

We see two great symbols of the upper class here. The sofa is the center of the leisure class's idleness, a comfortable place to while away the afternoon without work. Wilde himself would spend hours in deep thought upon his sofa, but in this play he makes the sofa a place for social chatter. The cucumber sandwiches also become a motif for the hedonism of rich. Algernon supposedly saves them for Lady Bracknell, but he cannot resist devouring them himself.

The Importance of Being Earnest Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Importance of Being Earnest is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

What happened as a result of the following situation?

When Jack tells Lady Bracknell that Cecily will be a rich woman, Lady Bracknell immediately changes her mind about Cecily and decides that she will be a suitable wife for Algernon.

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

Algernon's throwaway quip to Lane that "anyone can play [piano] accurately but I play with wonderful expression" is a good thumbnail of Wilde's philosophy of art. Wilde was heavily influenced by Walter Pater and the other aesthetes of the...

What can I say about the NARRATIVE TECHNIQUE ?

The play, The Importance of Being Earnest , does not have a narrator.

Study Guide for The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest study guide contains a biography of Oscar Wilde, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Importance of Being Earnest
• The Importance of Being Earnest Summary
• Character List

Essays for The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Importance of Being Earnest.

• Maxims and Masks: The Epigram in "The Importance of Being Earnest"
• Paradox through Pacing in Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest"
• Sincere Triviality: The Comedy of Oscar Wilde
• Structural Stereotypes of the Characters in The Importance of Being Earnest
• The Institution of Marriage in Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” and Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles”

Lesson Plan for The Importance of Being Earnest

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to The Importance of Being Earnest
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• The Importance of Being Earnest Bibliography

E-Text of The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest e-text contains the full text of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.

Wikipedia Entries for The Importance of Being Earnest

• Introduction

Marriage in the Importance of Being Earnest: Analysis

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

What are Algernon’s and Lady Bracknell’s views on marriage? Find the answer here! This essay analyzes the themes of love and marriage in The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.

Introduction

• Algernon’s View on Marriage
• Lady Bracknell’s Views on Marriage

Works Cited

The concept of marriage has been given preeminence in Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. Love is the thing that people of any social class aspire to, and marriage can be the logical consequence of it.In the play, marriage is discussed in the context of plot progression and as a subject for theoretical assumption and discussion. All throughout The Importance of Being Earnest, marriage is present as the main topic, thus demonstrating the importance that society accorded this matter.

Although there are varying views on the subject among various characters, it is evident from reading the play that the matrimony institution was held in high esteem at that time. While there is a division on whether marriage is pleasant or unpleasant, all the characters agree that love and marriage are essential parts of life. (Wilde 5)

What Is Algernon’s View on Marriage?

To underscore the importance of matrimony, the author introduces the subject in the opening part of the play. It is used in a discussion between Algernon and his servant, Lane. Once the subject is introduced, it becomes a recurring concept in the entire play. First, the butler insinuates that married households usually lack a sense of taste to a point where they cannot purchase “first-rate” champagne. Then he observes that the champagne in a bachelor establishment is of higher quality, and that is the reason why servants tend to over drink. This makes Algernon wonder if the marriage has become so demoralizing to a point where people lack a sense of taste. Despite the butler’s failed marriage, he still thinks that love and marriage is a pleasant experience that anyone should endeavor to have. (Wilde 6)

Although Algernon’s view on love and marriage is not known during the conversation with his butler, we get to know his thoughts on the subject in a monologue where he claims that marriage is an institution that has “absolutely no sense of moral responsibility.” (Wilde 5) In the ensuing conversation with Jack, Algernon’s thoughts on marriage come out on the surface. During the pleasantries, Jack claims that he decided to travel from the country to town purposely for pleasure.

As the conversation with Algernon continues, Jack claims that he has come to propose to Gwendolen, the girl he has been flirting with. This throws his friend Algernon aback since he believes that a proposal is more of a business venture than pleasure. According to him, marriage kills the excitement of being in love and leads to uncertainty. (Raby 26)

Algernon Moncrieff has such a negative mentality on marriage to a point where he vows to “forget the fact” that he is married the moment he does so. This mentality, according to Jack, is what led to the formation of Divorce Courts, but Algernon disagrees and claims, “Divorces are made in Heaven.” (quoted from Wilde 7) Defending his position, Algernon claims that most married people do not value their marriages, and most of them are even capable of flirting with other men while their husbands are sitting right across the dinner table.

Although Algernon is opposed to the idea of his first cousin Gwendolen getting married to Jack, he advises him that he will have to lie occasionally to be able to get away from his wife. This clearly shows that Algernon Moncrieff thinks that all marriages are unpleasant an opinion that Jack and Lane do not share. (Raby 28)

What Is Lady Bracknell’s View on Marriage?

On her part, Lady Bracknell addresses the issue of marriage by claiming, “An engagement should come on a young girl as a surprise, pleasant or unpleasant, as the case may be.” By looking at the set of questions that Lady Bracknell subjects Jack, it is clear that she has a distorted view on love and marriage.

By looking at the list of bachelors and the prepared script that Lady Bracknell addresses Jack from, it is apparent that the social class on which the story is based viewed marriage in terms of social standing, income, and character of the participants. Indeed, Lady Bracknell does not seem to have respect for the marriage institution, and that is why she tries to pair Algernon with Mary, who is already married. (Wilde 11)

Although Algernon is cynical about marriage institution and thinks that people’s opinions on the topic are “somewhat lax,” his views on marriage and divorce change once he meets and falls in love with Cecily. On his part, Jack is a romantic who believes that having the right attitude towards marriage is the ingredient that makes it last.

Although he believes the truth “isn’t quite the sort of thing one tells to a nice, sweet, refined girl,” (Wilde 91), he ends up telling Gwendolen the truth once he realizes that it is not in his nature to lie. Once Jack apologizes to Gwendolen, her reaction becomes a clear pointer that she was also cynical about men and the marriage institution in general. (Wilde 148)

This essay analyzed the concept of marriage in The Importance of Being Earnest. y. In summary, Wilde has brought out the nature of marriage in the morality of Victorian society. As shown by the quotes from the text, the characters are divided into those who believe that marriage is pleasant (that is Algernon’s view on marriage) and those who believe that it is unpleasant (that is Lady Bracknell’s view on the theme). Even among those who believe marriage is unpleasant, something happens at the end that restores their faith in love and the marriage institution as a whole.

Raby, Peter. The Cambridge Companion to Oscar Wilde , 1997. Cambridge University Press. 25-41. Print.

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• Oscar Wilde

The Importance of Being Earnest

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the Importance of Being Earnest Analysis

In Victorian society, the institution linking status, gender roles, and marriage imposed unrealistic demands on both men and women. Girls were raised by their parents with the goal of becoming the ideal housewife, while men were compelled to enter marriages based on societal status. Oscar Wilde’s play, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” satirizes the conventional Victorian conventions and ideals that dictated individuals’ roles in society.

In this analysis, I will explore the various techniques employed by Wilde in “The Importance of Being Earnest,” including satire, symbolism, and farcical situations. Wilde skillfully subverts Victorian values by depicting men willing to change their name for the sake of women, a reversal of traditional gender roles. Additionally, he offers insights into the portrayal of women, highlighting societal expectations that they remain idle and ignorant (Petrie 178). Within the play, both Gwendolyn and Cecily share the same fantasy of meeting a perfect man named Ernest. The name Ernest holds a dual significance – it serves as a literal moniker as well as a symbol for sincerity and earnestness.

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In his article “Victorian Women Expected to be Idle and Ignorant,” Charles Petrie discusses how women were raised to prioritize marriage. Petrie states, “From infancy, all girls who were born above the level of poverty had the dream of a successful marriage before their eyes…” (Petrie 180). This notion is exemplified by both Gwendolyn and Cecily. Gwendolyn expresses her desire to love someone named Ernest, stating, “…my ideal has always been to love someone of the name of Ernest. There is something in that name that inspires absolute confidence” (Wilde 1742).

In the play, Wilde satirizes the name Ernest, highlighting the concept of a sincere and honest husband through this name. The ongoing satire revolves around Jack and Algernon pretending to be named Ernest, instead of adhering to the conventional Victorian values of sincerity and truthfulness. Initially, Jack utilizes the name Ernest to deceive Gwendolyn into thinking that he is the ideal suitor, rather than embodying the qualities of a genuine Victorian man. He succumbs to Gwendolyn’s insistence on marrying someone named Ernest, disregarding his true identity and perpetuating the deception until the end when he realizes his name is actually Ernest. In response, Jack confesses to Gwendolyn, “It is a terrible thing for a man to find out suddenly that all his life he has been speaking nothing but the truth” (Wilde 1777). Ultimately, Jack had never been truthful, as he lied about inventing Ernest as an excuse to meet Gwendolyn when in reality, he used it as a means to escape Hertfordshire. This further underscores his divergence from the typical Victorian values. The dual lives led by Jack and Algernon serve as a symbol for the widespread hypocrisy within the Victorian mindset that Wilde aimed to portray.

Algernon uses his fake invalid Bunbury to deceive people and avoid situations he doesn’t want to be in. For example, he tells Lady Bracknell that he can’t dine with her because Bunbury is sick again (Wilde 1740). By pretending to have an invalid friend, Algernon is able to escape obligations he has no interest in fulfilling.

Both Jack and Algernon both have cases of leading double lives, but Jack acknowledges that both his persona Ernest and Algernon’s imaginary friend Bunbury will only result in negative consequences. He goes as far as to say that he would kill his brother if Gwendolyn agrees to marry him. In response, Algernon mocks the idea of a happy marriage by stating that “A man who marries without knowing Bunbury will have a very boring time” (Wilde 1739). By this, he suggests that all Victorian husbands engage in secret activities, and if they don’t, they won’t experience a blissful marriage. Additionally, he declares that “Divorce is made in heaven” (Wilde 1735), flipping the traditional belief that marriage is divine.

The text highlights the fact that in Victorian society, women were expected to conform to a particular ideal. Petrie argues that these expectations placed a great deal of pressure on women. Wilde’s play, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” challenges this traditional notion by portraying men who are instead pressurized by the expectations of women. This is evident when both Jack and Algernon decide to change their names to Ernest while at Shropshire. Jack explicitly states, “I have just made arrangements with Dr.”.

Both Chasuble and Algernon mention being christened at different times. Chasuble says he will be christened at a quarter to six, while Algernon says he made arrangements to be christened at 5:30 (Wilde 1766). When Jack learns about Gwendolyn’s infatuation with the name Ernest, he asks if she could love him if his name was Jack. Gwendolyn responds harshly, stating that there is very little music in the name Jack and it does not thrill or produce vibrations. She adds that she has known several plain Jacks (Wilde 1742).

The text challenges the expectation that Victorian women should appear innocent, as described by Petrie (184). Food becomes a recurring theme in the play, both in literal and metaphorical contexts. In Act I, Algernon consumes all the cucumber sandwiches. When Gwendolyn and Lady Bracknell arrive, he fabricated a lie to cover up his actions, exclaiming, “Good heaven! Lane! Why are there no cucumber sandwiches? I ordered them specially” (Wilde 1740).

Algernon retreats to food as a means of comforting himself in times of stress, sadness, or when he feels trapped. He confesses, “When I am in trouble, eating is the only thing that consoles me” (Wilde 1766). This acknowledgment of his weaknesses deviates from the traditional expectations of Victorian men, challenging typical gender roles. Instead of being the provider for his guests, particularly women, Algernon often finds himself being the one served food. Algernon’s compulsive eating resurfaces during the later muffin incident. He remarks to Jack, “You are at the muffins again!”

Jack and Algernon argue about who dislikes tea cake the most during a tea party. Algernon suggests that Jack should eat tea cake instead of muffins, which Jack is particularly fond of. This argument over the cake is seen as uncivilized and inappropriate for Victorian men. Furthermore, food serves as a metaphor for sex, as seen when Jack eagerly indulges in bread and butter, leading Algernon to accuse him of behaving as though he were already married to Gwendolen (Wilde 1767).

In the play, food serves as a replacement for other pleasures. There are several instances of role reversals throughout the play. Algernon’s acknowledgement of his faults is one example, and another occurs in Act III when Jack and Algernon plan to be christened in order to change their names to Ernest. They both exclaim, “Our Christian names! Is that all? But we are going to be christened this afternoon” (Wilde 1768). Gwendolyn and Cecily are deeply affected by this generous act.

In this unconventional scenario, Jack and Algernon are preparing to take on the role typically assigned to women in a marriage: changing their names. Interestingly, during the scene where Jack proposes to Gwendolyn, she defies the Victorian stereotypes associated with women, such as being submissive, having no opinions, and being generally weak and helpless (Petrie 184). Gwendolyn boldly asserts herself and seizes control of the entire proposal, thereby challenging the traditional male role. This is evident in her statement, “I think it would be an admirable opportunity.”

Oscar Wilde displays great skill in subverting the traditional Victorian norms. He cleverly employs satire through the name Ernest to convey both a literal and figurative meaning. Wilde employs symbolism to convey multiple interpretations, such as using food to represent both a coping mechanism and a metaphor for sex. Additionally, he challenges gender roles by reversing the traditional proposal and having Gwendolyn assume the role of the man.

Wilde successfully creates a story filled with mockery and comedic puns that challenge typical Victorian ideals. Despite its unrealistic nature, the play remains relatable to many people both in Wilde’s time and today. (Petrie, Charles. “Victorian Women Expected to be Idle and Ignorant.” Victorian England. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhouse, 2000. 177-190.) The play in question is “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde, featured in “The Norton Anthology of English Literature” edited by Julia Reidhead. (Wilde, Oscar. “The Importance of Being Earnest.” The Norton Anthology English Literature. Ed. Julia Reidhead. New York, NY; Wells Street, London: W. W. Norton & Company, 1962-2012. 1734-1777.)

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Read the passage from an essay on The Importance of Being Earnest. Chasuble. . . . Your brother was, I believe, unmarried, was he not? Jack. Oh yes. Miss Prism. [Bitterly.] People who live entirely for pleasure usually are. How is the passage an example of Wilde achieving his overall purpose in writing the play? Wilde uses realism to instruct the audience so they approve of the marriage. Wilde uses sarcasm to shame the audience into embracing the social code. Wilde uses humor to entertain the audience while he comments on marriage. Wilde uses criticism to instruct the audience about the importance of morality. its a or c? the sarcasm one is wrong

(c) Wilde uses humor to entertain the audience while he comments on marriage.

Explanation:

The Importance of Being Earnest is a satirical play by Oscar Wilde, intending to show the vain Victorian society the mirror for emphasising too much on earnestness and morality when they are themselves corrupt to the core.

In such a situation, it makes sense to use humor to entertain the audience, comment on the marriage, and mask your true opinion under the guise of humor.

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The phrase " Fond of Collies " plays the function of adverbial adjunct in the sentence.

It corresponds to a term present in a sentence whose function is to indicate a circumstance expressed by the verb , increasing the meaning of an adjective or adverb.

Some of the circumstances that the adverbial adjunct can indicate are:

Therefore, the adverbial adjunct can be represented by an adverb , a subordinate adverbial clause or a phrase, being an indicator of circumstances such as purpose and manner.

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