Personification In The Importance Of Being Earnest And Madea

In 1806, Noah Webster published A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language thus setting a fast past fetishization on the connotation of langue. Followed by the fame of the Webster’s Dictionary society quickly morphs into the literal definition of the world. Seen in social phenomena like the Fundamentalist movement during the 1920s, man’s narrow mindedness stuns the true perceptions and beauty within the world. Additionally, Webster’s impacts are noted in mankind’s unrealistic characterization of moral code as completely evil or inherently good. No gray area or in between dwellings creates an inhumane rupture of the conscious leading to moral ineptitude in both The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde and Madea by Seneca. The mental
ineptitude is caused by society’s inability to accept sexuality differences in Wilde and the stifling enigma of society that forces people to always have a counteraction prepared.

In The Importance of Being Earnest Oscar Wilde intersperses irony and liberal connotation to sardonically end society’s unrealistic expectation of forcing everyone into a hetronomitive universe thereby omitting the natural habitat of the mind resides. Namely, the play centers on Jack Worthing, the eligible bachelor, that prowls on equally courtable women while in the county side simultaneously condemning his elderly brother, Ernst, for partaking in lewd behavior. Ironically his condemnation is in vain because Jack creates Earnst for the pretense that allows him to live out the “pleasure, pleasure” (296) when bought out in town. Unable to openly display, his homosexuality due to the unrelenting hand that society plays in private life, he is forced to lead a double life. The furtive hand of society is always lurking thus forcing Jack now playing the part of his homosexual brother Ernst o refrain from specifically mentioning his sexuality. Initially Jack created Ernst Worthing so “when one is in town one amuses oneself” (296) which is greatly different from Jack “in the county” that “amuses other people” (296). Clearly depicting two vastly different worlds one innately built for self-aid whereas the other deals with preservation of self-image. In other words, Wilde’s use of shifting connotation aids to the liberalism that is not acceptable in society’s standards. For example, the foreground of the conversation creates a blasé tone that allows for the coverage of a deeper more sentimental underground meaning. The town initially invokes the physical location where Jack puts on his disguise and turns into the fictional brother, Ernst. In addition the town coincides with the metaphysical entitlement hat this mind plays in creating a save haven for Jack’s true self. Whereas the county a place that receives shocking questions like “What on Earth do you do there?” (296). With a dutiful reply Jack amuses “neighbors, neighbors”(296) of which he deems are “perfectly horrid! Never speak to one of them” (296). Wilde satirizes the ideals that Jack puts on a façade for others of which are not important to his character. In other words Jack’s without a moments hesitation switch roles with Ernst has soon as society becomes just as prevented forced to make placed by the hetronomative society. Ironically, he assimilates to the commanding lifestyle so that he can entertain people he does not care about. On the grand scale, Wile’s use or irony mocks man’s attempt to live in the defined parameters of the good role that is set forth by society. However, mixed with societal pressure to assure the cold hard definition of a good person this leads to a break in the moral compass. Especially seen in Mr. Worthing’s case that the pressures of society lead to an unnerving reality- one filled with double lives and dishonest situations.

In Madea through the use of personification and juxtaposition Seneca analyzes the machinations of casting individuals as either pure or immoral characters and identifying society’s role in the decision making task.
After banished from Asia Minor by an unfaithful husband, Madea retalizes by murdering her children and husbands mistress while simultaneously rationalizing her “brains cold logic” (945). Through the use of personification Madea creates a repentant tone because she is able to separate the horrid thoughts that her brain forces her body to carry out. Additionally by separating brain and body the action can be viewed as a euphemism regarding the dynamic roles between society and individuals. In other words, society acts as the control center. Picking and choosing the next actions that the individuals will act. On the other hand those that suffer from brain damage, often described as being in a vegetative state, life is viewed as “meaningless repletion” (426). Those that do not take action are simply lying on their backs listening to the constant drip of IV solution and the droning rhythm tick of the heart rate monitor. To “disturb the balance” (422) the brain breaks out of the vegetative state and forces the body to pursue actions. Likewise society’s manipulative ways have forced actions in individuals like Madea when it is better to meditate rather than instigate. By juxtaposing “life maters, or else it does not.” (420) it creates a hurried tone that creates the sense to be casted into the game of life actions must be taken. However in Madea’s case she is better not to succumb to the pressures of society rather than letting her sons “die innocent” (944). To put the two blatantly different phrases in close context suggest that MAdea is capable of making the right choice but is forced into a rushed decision due to wrong
timing.