The Importance of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1854. Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months. Oscar Wilde Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1854. Well educated (Trinity College and Oxford University) Traveled a lot Successful showman and lecturer Shocked with unconventional views and dress (sunflower in buttonhole, carrying a lily, knee breeches, flowing tie)

Oscar Wilde Married, two sons Turned to theater because needed money Ridiculed Victorian ideas of respectability Served two years in prison for “immoral conduct” Ruined financially and socially—moved to France with new name, few friends Died in Paris in 1900 at age 46. Supposed last words: “My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One or the other of us has to go.” “I am dying beyond my means.”

Wilde’s grave in Paris

The Importance of Being Earnest Exercise in manner and absurdity No attachment to characters What will he say next? (Wilde’s voice) What new ridiculous situation? Very serious over trivial things Painting a picture of an idle class—outgrown its time Everyone and everything is ridiculous, but human Having fun with what he treated seriously before: included standard Victorian melodrama (stolen letters, blackmail, “shocking” revelations, intrigue), but ridiculed Victorian ideas of respectability One of the most influential comedies of 19th century

The plot Algernon and Jack may look like proper young Victorian gentlemen. But each—unknown to the other—is leading a double life. Deceiving others. That is what the world calls a romance.

The plot Algernon has invented a sickly friend named Bunbury. When Algernon wants to escape his social obligations in London, he “goes Bunburying” (he he pretends to visit the ailing Bunbury in the country).

The plot Jack is a wealthy bachelor He lives an upright life in the country & wants to set a proper example for Cecily, his 18 year-old ward. But Jack also wants to have some fun, so he invents a wild brother named Ernest. When Jack wants to go to London, he pretends he has to bail Ernest out of trouble. In London, Jack pretends to be the bad boy Ernest. Are you confused yet?

The plot The confusion and misunderstandings are all part of the fun. Will Gwendolen marry Jack even though his name is not Ernest? Will Algernon win the hand of the beautiful Cecily?

Wilde vs. Society Oscar Wilde liked to make fun of upper-class Victorian society: strict Victorian social rules the shallowness of the idle rich Wilde also pokes a bit of fun at himself Like Wilde, Algernon and Jack are dandies In Victorian times only men could be dandies. An authentic dandy enjoyed fine clothes and expensive habits used refined language spent most of his time socializing lived to have fun A gentleman is one who never hurts anyone's feelings unintentionally.

Wilde vs. Society A well-bred Victorian woman, on the other hand, was modest and reserved. Few kinds of enjoyment were open to her outside the home. Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.

Farce Highly exaggerated comedy Plot is everything: moves fast! The old believe everything, the middle-aged suspect everything, the young know everything. Highly exaggerated comedy Plot is everything: moves fast! No characters to probe No meaningful relationships What happens next?? Contrived

Common Humor Used Pun: play on words; deliberate confusing of similar words/phases “for the pun of it” "Look deep into our ryes." (bakery ad)

Common Humor Used Epigram: concise and witty statement; usually satirical; comic turn of thought “I can resist everything except temptation.” “One should always be in love. That is the reason one should never marry.” “America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between.” “I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying.”

About this play, Wilde wrote… “It is exquisitely trivial, a delicate bubble of fancy, and it has its philosophy…that we should treat all the trivial things seriously, and all the serious things of life with sincere and studied triviality.” Lots of humor and clever language—look for it! Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about.