The Importance Of Being Earnest

Critical response to the text It is easy to view “The Importance of Being Earnest” simply as a frivolous farce, packed with wit and absurdity enough to amuse a relatively wide array of spectators. It is tempting to view the plot and character situations of the play as mere opportunities for ridiculous, yet clever statements to be made. In fact, many early critics did just that (Gillespie, 115). Algernon’s practice of “bunburying” ( avoiding one’s responsibilities by claiming to have appointments to see a fictitious person) and Jack’s invention of his brother Ernest are elements of the play that criticize and ridicule the two-faced, superficial façade of Victorian society. Both Algernon and Jack fall in love while using their false identities, and the confusion that ensues humorously reveals the hypocrisy of the Victorian upper class and the emptiness of class consciousness.

How suggested themes link to the text? Marriage The main question that is evident throughout the play is whether marriage is a means to an end or it is a way of bettering your social position Older generation thinks of marriage as a means to an end A way of maintaining or bettering your social position If you want to get married, you submit to an interrogation: “state your name, rank, and serial number” and it is important that you have money Have an acceptable title, along with parents to prove it

Lane: I attribute it to the superior quality of the wine, sir Lane: I attribute it to the superior quality of the wine, sir. I have often observed that in married households the champagne is rarely of a first-rate brand. Algernon: Good heavens! Is marriage so demoralising as that? Lane: I believe it is a very pleasant state, sir. I have had very little experience of it myself up to the present. I have only been married once. That was in consequence of a misunderstanding between myself and a young person. (I.9-12)

Gwendolen: I adore you [Jack]. But you haven't proposed to me yet Gwendolen: I adore you [Jack]. But you haven't proposed to me yet. Nothing has been said at all about marriage. The subject has not even been touched on. (I.157) Marriage is a symbol of love therefore it is necessary in a developing relationship

A way of maintaining or bettering your social position Lady Bracknell: Pardon me, you are not engaged to any one. When you do become engaged to some one, I, or your father, should his health permit him, will inform you of the fact. An engagement should come on a young girl as a surprise, pleasant or unpleasant, as the case may be. It is hardly a matter that she could be allowed to arrange for herself . . . And now I have a few questions to put to you, Mr. Worthing. (I.172) Lady Bracknell: You can hardly imagine that I and Lord Bracknell would dream of allowing our only daughter—a girl brought up with the utmost care—to marry into a cloak-room, and form an alliance with a parcel? Good morning, Mr. Worthing! (I.218) Wealth is extremely important when considering marrying someone Women are controlled by the men in their lives and are seen as vulnerable in the Victorian society

Miss Prism: You are too much alone, dear Dr. Chasuble Miss Prism: You are too much alone, dear Dr. Chasuble. You should get married. A misanthrope I can understand—a womanthrope, never! Miss Prism: And you do not seem to realise, dear Doctor, that by persistently remaining single, a man converts himself into a permanent public temptation. Men should be more careful; this very celibacy leads weaker vessels astray. Chasuble: But is a man not equally attractive when married? Miss Prism: No married man is ever attractive except to his wife. Chasuble: And often, I've been told, not even to her. Miss Prism: That depends on the intellectual sympathies of the woman. Maturity can always be depended on. Ripeness can be trusted. Young women are green. (II.81-87) A person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society Misogynist ( someone who hates women)

Lady Bracknell: To speak frankly, I am not in favor of long engagements. They give people the opportunity of finding out each other's character before marriage, which I think is never advisable. (III.86) Marriage is not seen as an intimate relationship, but as a means to an end therefore, learning information is unnecessary

Links to A Doll’s house Both writers present the expectations society has for both genders. This method was to leave the audience questioning about the society they lived in. Ibsen displays the realness of a typical marriage and he doesn’t follow the conventions of a Well-Made play, he presents the hardcore facts of marriage and family life; he does this by giving both genders unequal power, which contradicts the meaning of marriage, “the joining of two equals”. They also both present how difficult it is to maintain an honest relationship, as Ibsen portrays how dishonesty and secrecy destroy a relationship, whereas Wilde presents how it brings people together.