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
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have not been leading a double life‚ pretending to be wicked and being good all the time. That would be hypocrisy.” (IOBE P.24). Most people would not create another life in order to obtain happiness as their own should give them enough pleasure. In Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest‚ not one‚ but two characters end up leading a double life with the same name. Jack Worthing is an upper-class man who lives in the country being Cecily Cardew’s guardian. When not in the country but in the
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Introduction The Importance of Being Earnest was Oscar’s fourth comedy‚ and it was to be his last and most outstanding play. ‘The Trivial Comedy for Serious People‘ (in earlier drafts‚ ‘serious comedy for trivial people’) was first produced by George Alexander at the St James’s Theatre on 14th February 1895 in London. The play was reduced from four to three acts (Raby 161-163). The Importance of Being Earnest contradicts banausic values in a utilitarian age (Varty 205). The comedy of manners
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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
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The dictionary definition of ‘being earnest’ is having a purpose‚ being steadily‚ and somberly eager in pursuing it or having determination. In the play‚ The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde‚ the author commences showing his audience the significance behind the title through his use of contrasting different ideas and manipulation of alluding to multiple concepts. The irony held the opposite intent of the title that Jack had named himself Earnest‚ who is neither earnest nor honest yet
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Another of Wilde’s plays‚ and perhaps his most famous‚ The Importance of Being Earnest‚ is a comedy‚ and so it is easy for the audience to become entranced by the humor of the show without examining the underlying symbolism and satire that makes it so funny. The play is‚ at its core‚ about the mischief that can ensure when names are given too much importance. The name Ernest‚ in particular‚ is coveted by the two main male characters‚ Jack and Algernon‚ but also by the two main female characters‚
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Gwendolen and Cecily in Victorian age and today The Victorian age is considered to be one of the most prudent ages throughout of history. It is mainly based on your appearance. This means that the most important thing back then was to present as much as perfect as you can. It is crucial for them to be very appreciated by other people. This age can be described as very hypocrite because no one is perfect so lying and pretending in order to present as a “saint” is absurd but in that age it meant
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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
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Importance of Being Earnest Analysis In true definition of farce‚ Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest incorporates unlikely and improbable situations‚ extravagant characters‚ and the occasional mistaken identity. Wilde’s farce relies on creating absurd situations that characters approach in means they find entirely logical in his parody of high society. His protagonist‚ Algernon is the only character aware of the absurdities of Victorian high society‚ and responds by taking absolutely nothing
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English 111 28 February 2014 Humor and Conflict in The Importance of Being Earnest Comedy often uses conflict to create a dull‚ everyday situation into something exciting and people find them funny because we often laugh at the mishaps of others. When the characters’ viewpoints are extreme and exaggerated‚ it makes the situation amusing to watch and follow since things are getting crazy. In The Importance of Being Earnest‚ by Oscar Wilde‚ successfully creates humorous outcomes from disagreements
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