The Importance Of Being Earnest
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The Satire of Earnestness
It was a play that made controversy in the lush mansions of Victorian society.
Subtitled “A Trivial Comedy for Serious People,” The Importance of Being Earnest jokingly criticized Victorian manners and morals and attacking the society of the rich and luxurious. Oscar Wilde incorporated his own beliefs and ideology into the play by alluding to Victorian society “lets duplicity led to happiness.” It is this “happiness” Wildes play focuses on by concentrating the theme of the play on marriage.
Alluding to marriage, The Importance of Being Earnest begins with the witty and selfish Algernon. It is Algernon who is the amoral bachelor and has not one problem with that because he believes that “divorces are made in heaven” and is utterly against marriage as viewing marriage a waste of time (118). The reasoning for Algernons views is a stand in for Wildes own beliefs. The quote on marriage, which there is several from Algernon, is quite entertaining to the reader that is because the reader can see that Algernons conclusion of marriage is preposterous for that time period. However, in real life, during the twenty-first century, which is well after the Victorian age, the fact that “divorces are made in heaven” is actually quite true by todays standards. Even though Algernon clearly expresses his own views on marriage, Earnest (in the city), who is actually Jack, continues to pursue his plans of proposing to Gwendolyn. The reader is again amused as Earnest attempts to propose to Gwendolyn and Gwendolyn directing Earnest on how to propose. Earnest states “[They] must get married at once” Gwendolyn, who seems surprised, replies to Earnests declaration be saying “[He] hasnt
proposed yet” Gwendolyn then directs Earnest into asking properly “will you marry me.” (130). This reveals to the reader the role of reversal, by coaching Earnest into proposing,
as if she is proposing to herself. It is no wonder why this play enraged the upper class, the scene in which Earnest proposes to Gwendolyn portrays a reversal of Victorian assumptions about gender roles. Once the proposal is done and Gwendolyn of course agrees, Lady Bracknell appears, interrupting the event and interviews Earnest to see if he can be a suitor for Gwendolyn. Wilde uses Lady Bracknells interview of Earnest to make fun of the values of London society, which put a higher premium on social connections than on character or goodness. What is astonishing to the reader is the questions that Lady Bracknell asks Earnest, the first if Earnest smokes or not, stating that “[She] is glad to hear (that Earnest smokes),” and states her views about smoking as that “A man should always have an occupation” (132). Though Lady Bracknells appearance seems to the reader that she is the strangest character in the play, Wilde then switches the play to the country, which introduces Jack, who is Earnest in the city and Algernon, who takes on the name Earnest.
Established during the conversation between Jack/Earnest and Algernon, Algernon is against marriage. However, once Algernon sneaks to the country home of Jack and encounters “the young and beautiful Cecily,” his views on marriage suddenly change. Algernon takes the name Earnest to please Cecily, who assumes that Algernon is Jacks cousin Earnest. An instant flirtation between the “two new lover birds” begins as Algernon states to Cecily “[She] is like a pink rose” which Algernon states the “[He] would like to have a pink rose” (147). These abrupt feelings amaze the reader and reveal
the exaggeration