ESSAY – THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Writers are often influenced by the ideologies upheld by society during the historical context in which they were writing in and texts can often challenge these ideologies‚ or uphold them‚ or even do both. Oscar Wilde’s‚ The Importance of Being Earnest‚ is a dramatic comedy of manners that takes place in polite wealthy Victorian society. Wilde successfully funnels the snobbery and superficiality of London’s elite during the 1890’s and has both challenged
Premium
Oscar Wilde’s satirical depiction of Victorian Society in The Important of Being Earnest comments on the absurdity of their inability to recognize the difference between the important and unimportant. Characters in the play often make trivial matters into serious matters and vice versa‚ although there are times where issues are treated appropriately. However‚ the whole idea of what is important is subjective‚ and in a Victorian Era context‚ matters such as social status and proper etiquette were
Premium Morality Victorian era Victoria of the United Kingdom
What good does always being earnest do you if you are not "Ernest"? Oscar Wilde’s play‚ "The Importance of Being Earnest"‚ explores exactly this notion‚ following two men who readily abandon their namesakes in order to win the affections of their respective fair ladies. The play opens in London with a conversation held between these two men‚ Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff. However‚ at the play’s origin‚ Algernon only knows his friend as "Ernest". This rapidly changes with the aid of a cigarette
Premium The Importance of Being Earnest English-language films Victorian era
Views on Marriage The Importance of Being Earnest is a comical drama using multiple types of irony to ridicule marriage‚ death‚ and birth. In the Victorian age‚ family was a major influence in choosing one’s offspring’s mate. Lady Bracknell accepted all Jack’s characteristics except the fact‚ he had inconsiderate parents. “To lose one parent‚ Mr.Worthing‚ may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness (1.1.1421). Gwendolen was willing to marry Jack regardless of his social
Premium Marriage Love Pride and Prejudice
they had their first international hockey match: Wales v. Ireland; also‚ they had the lowest ever temperature of −27.2 F‚ and the premier of Oscar Wilde’s latest play‚ The Importance of Being Earnest‚ at the St. James’ Theatre‚ in London. During this time‚ social class was very important. Oscar Wilde’s explores the importance of how social class affects the lives of the characters in his play during the Victorian era. During the Victorian era‚ appearance‚ style‚ reputation‚ respect‚ and wealth were
Premium Victorian era Victoria of the United Kingdom Social class
lives into the plays‚ be it their character‚ or in their influence from other persons or social aspects of their lives. This is clearly evident in Oscar Wilde’s The Importance Of Being Earnest. Many of the‚ especially social themes and issues of Wilde’s life are contextually applied to or expressed in The Importance Of Being Earnest. Class and superiority‚ gender themes with regards to marriage or wealth and the general hypocrisy‚ double meanings and the lives of the characters. The play generally
Premium Poetry Edgar Allan Poe The Raven
In The importance of Being Earnest the author uses the stereotype of gender and Queer theory to describe the attitude of men and women. Three important points reveal the use of gender stereotype and Queer theory. The first is the discrimination and marginalization based on social classes. In addition‚ the role played by women in The Importance of Being Earnest show the gender stereotype. The last element is the definition of personal capacity based on the gender of each person. In “The importance
Premium Gender Gender role Sociology
Marriage is often depicted as a sacred union of love‚ communication‚ loyalty and companionship. For some it is simply a legal contract or social institution that binds two people together for a “lifetime commitment”. Oscar’s Wilde’s “The importance of being earnest”‚ deconstructs the former interpretation of marriage‚ highlighting its trivialities and the comedic journey to finding a spouse. Likewise‚ Samuel Beckett’s “Happy Days” suggests that marriage is not all a bed of roses by highlighting the
Premium Marriage The Importance of Being Earnest Husband
needed to follow specific guidelines. In Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest‚ these expectations can be identified through Algernon and Jack‚ the “earnest” men of the play. Men had a greater influence and power than women‚ but there are many steps to take to be considered a “men.” The process is quite tiring; men didn’t only need to gain women’s respect‚ but also impress society as a whole and their peers sharing the same gender. Being a man was hard‚ they are the victims of social pressure
Premium Gender Man Male
Oscar Wilde The Importance of Being Earnest The Novel The Importance of Being Earnest was more enjoyable to me than the film. The reason for this was‚ while my imagination pictured the story and the visuals of the people and the settings quite similar to the on-screen portrayal‚ my mind’s images were more enjoyable. The differences portrayed on film were distinctive in the characters‚ scenery‚ and mostly the soundtrack I had not envisioned while reading the play. While they absolutely worked
Premium Comedy The Importance of Being Earnest Samuel Beckett