How Does Oscar Wilde Open Act 2 In The Importance Of Being Earnest

Explore how Oscar Wilde Opens Act 2:

Upon the opening of Act 2 in The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde sets out a rather peaceful looking scene, transporting his audience to Jack’s country estate in Hertfordshire. The act takes off in the Garden at the Manor House, described in the stage directions as ‘an old fashion one, full of roses’ with baskets and chairs set under a large yew tree. With the time of year being July, this all makes up for a somewhat simple Victorian summer setting, enabling the newly introduced characters to stand out, shining as new targets for Wilde’s satire. The first set of new characters are Cecily Cardew and Miss Prism, whom although live out the country, far from an urban artificial society, can still
Highly immoral and exceptionally honest, her character is perhaps so enchanting and humorous because of how she differs from both the other characters in the play, and how a young lady of her standing would be expected to act. Her most peculiar point seems to be her fascination with the idea of ‘wickedness’. When her governess Miss Prism criticises Jack’s ‘brother’, naming him to be “unfortunate” and “bad”, Cecily appears develop a growing fondness for this ‘wicked’ man, stating that she wishes uncle Jack “would allow that unfortunate man” to “come down here sometimes”. And when he apparently later does, her excitement is evident as she bluntly proclaims “I have never met any really wicked person before”, adding “I am so afraid he will look just like everyone else.” Not only is this humorous in terms of the absolute absurdity of it, the use of the word “wicked” by Wilde, could of course also be seen as the concept of sin, perhaps that of a sexual nature too. A subject of absolute scandal in polite Victorian society, and one that a young girl should certainly not be seen indulging
Wilde uses this character to present some rather, for the time, outrageous suggestions and innuendoes, creating both a sense of humour as well as underlining perhaps the Victorian society’s sexual suppression. Chasuble and Miss Prism flirt very openly and his remarks are indeed notable. Although much of what he says is very directly suggestive, Wilde in addition creates a further sense of awkwardness between the characters, by them making the Reverend explain himself, this is rather hilarious to observe. He states very boldly that is he were “fortunate enough to be Miss Prism’s pupil”, he would “hand upon her lips”. This of course creates a stir in the scene, causing him to immediately react, claiming he spoke merely “metaphorically” and such an “allusion” to the “birds and the bees” veils a “passionate inner life that should not be discussed”. Of course such an exaggerated reaction and extensive knowledge into what others may be thinking, makes it more than evident as to where the true meaning lies. Being a Reverend, at the time, and even in the context of present day, such a statement seems unthinkably shocking, and therefore by stating it so directly, Wilde presents the concept of religion in the play, it being rather meaningless and without real substance. Also, perhaps more obviously, Wilde seems to taunt the Victorian societies over concern for proper appearance, making it into a lesser