Major Works

The Importance of Being Earnest

Oscar Wilde

Ian Ho
Gavin Lee

A Trivial Comedy for Serious People

Neil Chen
Band 6

Title: The Importance of Being Earnest

Author: Oscar Wilde
Date of Publication: 1895
Genre: Farcical comedy

Historical information about the Period of

Publication
Much unlike more serious plays of the time, including
comedies themselves, Earnest was an outright farce.
Wit, epigrams, paradox, satire, and general artifice are
the building blocks of the play. Much of this originated
from Wildes views of and commentary on Victorian
social issues. Marriage, gender roles, and aristocracy
were all contemporary issues challenged by Wilde and
his play near the turn of the century; as such, the
Industrial Revolution and widespread English political
and social reforms were all in effect (Reinert, 1956).

Biographical information about the author

Irish playwright, writer, and poet Oscar Wilde was born in 1854
to surgeon Sir William Wilde and poet Jane Elgee. Elgees
affiliation with the Young Ireland nationalist movement in the
mid-19th century heavily influenced Oscar Wilde, as she often
read Young Irelander poetry to her son and his brother William.
Wilde was homeschooled in his early life and studied the classics
at the Portora Royal School at Enniskillen, where he was highly
successful. In 1881 Wilde sailed to the United States, where he
delivered more than 140 lectures and interacted with other
notable writers of the period. Upon returning from America,
Oscar travelled to Paris and Britain, ultimately returning to
Ireland. In 1884 Wilde married Constance Lloyd, with whom he
had two sons. Following employment as a magazine writer, Wilde
wrote several childrens stories, a novel, and multiple plays. In
late 1895 Wilde was arrested under conviction of gross
indecency in the company of Lord Alfred Douglas; upon release
he wrote a poem in reaction to his experiences in prison. By
1900, however, Wilde had died of meningitis (Ingram, 2005).

Characteristics of the genre

Comedy, even when differentiated into subgenres such as
farce, is diverse in all aspects. Comedic works,
nevertheless, are often satirical in nature, or otherwise
feature some commentary on society. Mockery and the
addressing of often taboo issues characterizes a great deal
of both low and high comedy. Farce often employs
physical humor and absurd situations to entertain its
audience: ribald jokes, slapstick, and other similar aspects
of farce and low comedy can help convey certain ideas.

Plot Summary
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde centers upon two men who manipulate their identities to escape
the constraints of society. Jack Worthing, upon whom the play centers, is viewed by the Victorian community as a
respectable and responsible individual; as such, he maintains the persona of Ernest, a fake relative who represents
the apparent moral opposite of Jack. Jack finds companionship in the Wilde-like character of Algernon Moncrieff,
who also leads false life as Bunbury. Romantic involvement between both men and their relatives leads to multiple
scenes in which both the integrity of the characters and the society in which they live come into question. Lady
Bracknell, mother of Jacks love interest Gwendolyn, disapproves of their relationship after having discovered
Jacks questionable origins; Gwendolyn herself is satisfied only when involved with the name Ernest. Algernons
situation is somewhat similar. The unraveling of identities leads to the final acknowledgement of the vital
importance of being Earnest, concluding the social commentary which unites Wildes characters and plot.

Describe the authors style:

Wildes writing is marked in large part by wit and satire.
Many of his comments seem paradoxical or completely
contrary to what we, or society, perceives as right, yet
nonetheless make perfect sense. Remarks like the truth is
rarely pure and never simple, though brief in nature and
comedic in context, make an effective statement about
society - as does the play as a whole. Wildes witty,
epigrammatic style and often wild, if not intentional, lack of
concern for predictability is representative of Earnest as a
whole. Wilde uses the prospect of the death of Bunbury, for
example, as a device to highlight Lady Bracknells frivolous
absurdity. Meticulous syntax and diction are Wildes literary
weapons; with them he attacks Victorian convention,
challenging issues from marriage to morality.

An example that demonstrates the style:

I am pleased to hear it. I do not approve of
anything that tampers with natural ignorance.
Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and
the bloom is gone. The whole theory of modern
education is radically unsound. Fortunately in
England, at any rate, education produces no effect
whatsoever. If it did, it would prove a serious danger
to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of
violence in Grosvenor Square.
The aristocratic Lady Bracknell ought to
represent an educated and noble level of human
civility, yet is representative of virtually the
opposite.

Memorable Quotes

I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and
the bloom is gone. The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate,
education produces no effect whatsoever. - Lady Bracknell
Well, I must say, Algernon, that I think it is high time that Mr. Bunbury made up his mind whether he was going to live
or to die. This shilly-shallying with the question is absurd. - Lady Bracknell
I hope it did not end happily? I dont like novels that end happily. They depress me so much. - Cecily Cardew
The truth is rarely pure and never simple.Modern life would be very tedious if it were either, and modern literature
a complete impossibility! - Algernon Moncrieff
A handbaaaaaaguh? - Lady Bracknell

Quotation
The truth is rarely pure and never
simple.

Significance
Algernons epigram follows a lengthy explanation by Jack Worthing as to his
duplicity and intentions. In eight words, Algernon not only criticizes the duplicity
and hypocrisy of Victorian society, but of society and perhaps human nature as a
whole. The truth, often portrayed in physical manner (such as mythology) as pure
and untainted, is as vulnerable to Algernons observation as anything else.

I think it is high time that Mr. Bunbury

made up his mind whether he was going
to live or to die.

This statement highlights the absurdity with which Lady Bracknell conducts her
everyday business, and is punctuated by Bracknells own remark about the
absurdity of an inability to decide between life and death. That such a critical issue
as death could be replaced by a Victorian interference in petty concerns marks the
ridiculousness which Wilde highlights in Jacks community, if not society as a
whole.

I hope it did not end happily? I dont

like novels that end happily. They
depress me so much.

Cecily Cardew is, as the love interest of Algernon, a character who overturns the
Victorian model. Throughout the story a simplified mind and a surface morality are
the facets of Lady Bracknell; Cecily, however, has open disregard for expectations
of society, especially given her young age.

I do not approve of anything that

tampers with natural ignorance.
Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit;
touch it and the bloom is gone. The
whole theory of modern education is
radically unsound. Fortunately in
England, at any rate, education
produces no effect whatsoever.

Lady Bracknell, literary representative of the Victorian aristocracy and moral

crusader, is in this instance decidedly unintelligent. The contradictory nature of
the aristocracy is highlighted as well; as mentioned earlier, Bracknell should be a
more noble figure, yet her role in the book and the absurdity of her character
stems from her apparent lack (or excess) of refinement.

Characters
Name

Role in the story

Significance

Adjectives

Jack
Worthing

Jack Worthing is the protagonist of the

play. The titular idea of being Earnest is a
play on the themes Wilde imparts
throughout the story, as well as in his
second identity as Ernest Worthing.

Jack Worthing represents both Victorian

values of morality as well as their
antithesis; Algernon points out Jacks
hypocrisy in both his everyday conduct
and his use of an alter-ego to escape the
society he is key to.

Respected,
righteous,
deceptive,
hypocritical

Merriman is Jack Worthings butler. As a

relatively minor character, he rarely
speaks more than 10 words.

Merriman often serves to mark the

beginning of a conflict in the story, walking
in at less opportune times.

Algernon Moncrieff is, alongside Jack

Worthing, a main character in the story.
Algernon is very much a reflection of
Wildes persona, and in some ways is the
antithesis of Jack and the interface
between issues in the play and a greater
statement about society.

Algernon shows little regard for morality,

especially that which Jack flouts. Instead,
Algernon, through wit and cleverness,
conveys much of the profoundness and
satire which underlie this work.

Merriman

Algernon
Moncrieff

Lane

Lane, butler to Algernon Moncrieff, adds

to Algernons wit. He plays a role similar to
Merriman, being a minor character who
only appears early in the story.

Lady
Bracknell

Lady Bracknell is mother to Gwendolen

Fairfax and unites most of the other
characters to create the romantic conflict
in the story, set in the context of her own
Victorian aristocracy.

Gwendolen
Fairfax

Gwendolen Fairfax is Jacks love interest

and equally representative of the
Victorian model. As a lady, Gwendolen
plays counterpart to Jacks activities and
double life, and, being his love interest,
shapes those activities accordingly.

Cecily
Cardew

Cecily Cardew, Jack Worthings ward, is

the love interest of Algernon Moncrieff. It
follows that both characters spurn
Victorian society despite living in it; Cecily,
though lacking in Algernons wit, has
similar quirks of personality.

Miss Prism

Reverend
Canon
Chasuble

Miss Prism plays a supporting role as a

figure typical of Victorian society. As such,
she is more of a device to tie up the plot in
later acts of the story.

The Reverend is the love interest of Miss

Prism.

Lane cements Algernons role as a witty

individual who sees through the other
characters. Lanes role as a butler to the
aristocratic Algernon also contributes to
Wildes commentary on class distinctions.
Lady Bracknell is proper yet ignorant,
aristocratic yet discriminatory. Her
behavior is an extension of Wildes
criticism of Victorian society: having an
excess of properness and a lack of
morality.
Gwendolen combines both the
pretentious artificiality of Victorian
society manifested in Lady Bracknell with
the idealistic vigor of Jack Worthing. She is
key to Wildes commentary on society.
Cecily replicates the relationship between
Jack and Gwendolen with Algernon,
uniting the story and creating a convenient
plot device for Algernon to make the
clever observations he does.
Miss Prism is a convenient device to reveal
the ending of the story and wrap up the
mixed identities: she is Lady Bracknells
sister and mother of Jack, whose brother is
Algernon.
The Reverend is more of a comedic
character if anything; his deviations from
Victorian society, especially given his title,
are humorous, and his role as Miss Prisms
love interest helps conclude the story.

Impartial,
objective

Witty, amoral,
honest, idle,
hedonistic

Witty,
pessimistic

Manipulative,
amoral,
pompous,
prudish
Self-conscious,
artificial,
idealistic,
strong-minded

Realistic,
innocent,
critical
Pedantic,
prudish

Objective

Setting
The Importance of Being Earnest takes place in late-19th
century England. Jack specifically mentions the cities of
London and Hertfordshire, where his city and country
homes are located, respectively. Algernons flat is located
on Half-Moon Street. The setting plays significantly into
Jacks behavior; in the city, he finds himself immersed in a
society he represents yet is disillusioned with, and so
creates an alternate identity which resides in the
countryside . The countryside, then, is a form of escape,
where societal influence is less powerful and, as a result,
where his freedom is more possible. At the same time, the
setting doesnt modify the key components of each
character; Jacks questionable morals and Algernons
outright disregard for them, for example, continue
between locations, and contribute to the development of
themes across the story.

Symbols
Duplicity, food, and literary fiction itself within the story serve as
the most notable symbols. Duplicity is clear in Algernon and
Jacks characters, who respectively lead alternate lives as
Bunbury and Ernest. The use of duplicity through another
individual symbolizes the desire, if not necessity, of escape from
Victorian society, and thus stands in (especially in Jacks case) for
the hypocrisy of Victorian society itself.
Food, from cucumber sandwiches to bread and butter to sugar
and cakes, is generally a comedic element; that it can be so
profound, barring some communion-like scene (which does not
take place in Earnest), seems absurd, especially in the context of a
greater social commentary. Nevertheless, food is at times
symbolic of sex; Algernon criticizes Jack for consuming bread
and butter with great appetite prior to being married, for
example.
Finally, writing and fiction within the fiction itself, practiced
explicitly by almost all characters either in the form of novels,
letters, or personal diaries, reveals some degree of duplicity in
almost every character; it serves as a device to escape from a
situation, especially in the case of a diary.

Significance of opening scene

The story begins with a scene in Algernons London flat.
Algernon is accompanied by Lane, and a brief discussion
of marriage follows. Jack enters, and reveals that his
purpose in London is to propose to Gwendolen.
Algernon notes that he will not allow Jack to marry
Gwendolen unless he identifies who Cecily is, at which
point Jacks alter ego of Ernest Worthing is revealed.
Algernon himself likens it to his Bunburying in the
countryside.
The opening scene immediately addresses the premise
of the story: its absolutely absurd. Algernon and Jack
are manifestations of wit and morality, and small items
of food are representative of societal issues. The
opening scene extends Wildes style over the entire
story, establishing the importance of a reading beyond
the literal. At the same time, Wilde establishes the
premise for the plot itself, introducing both the main
characters and their fake counterparts. Wilde already
calls into question the behavior and mannerisms of his
mock Victorians.

Significance of the ending/closing scene

The ending scene is marked by the revealing of
identities. Jack, Algernon, Lady Bracknell, and Ms.
Prism all meet some form of resolution, no matter
how ridiculous or contrived some of the solutions
may seem.
Aside from concluding the story, the ending scene
ties together Wildes social commentary. Jack is
representative of Victorian hypocrisy, having led a
double life; his conclusory remark that it is a
terrible thing for a man to find out suddenly that all
his life he has been speaking nothing but the truth
is characteristic of his imperfect morality. As a
representative of Victorian society as a whole,
Jack ends the story with the words Ive now
realized for the first time in my life the vital
importance of being Earnest, indicating that his
morality until that point has been flawed.

Possible themes - Topics of discussion

Marriage figures heavily into the plot, and is explicitly discussed in both the beginning and end of the story. Aside
from being yet another tool with which Algernon exercises his wit, marriage also factors into social and economic
classes in Earnest. How this perception of class influences Jacks (hopeful) union with Gwendolen, as well as
Algernons union with Cecily, is a theme open to questioning.
The issue of poor health and death is addressed multiple times in the play, and generally in a comedic manner. Its
possible that, for the six times it is mentioned (and not always literally, as on occasion characters experience an
emotion to death), death represents something larger, especially given its use with Jack and Lady Bracknell.
Gwendolen and Cecily are young women, while Jack and Algernon are, presumably, relatively older men. Lady
Bracknell is perhaps the oldest of the major characters. This totem pole of seniority plays significantly into the
story, as each temporal class must effectively submit to the next. Had the ages been less distributed, the outcome
and resulting commentary of the story could have been altered as well.

Works Cited
Harmon, William, and C Holman. A Handbook to Literature. Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2006. Print.
Ingram, Eric. "Oscar Wilde." Oscar Wilde. CMG Solutions, 12 Aug. 2005. Web.
<http://www.cmgww.com/historic/wilde/>.
Reinert, Otto. "Satiric Strategy in The Importance of Being Earnest." College English (1956): 14-18.