Introduction:
The Importance of Being Earnest depicts a scathing critique of Victorian society, especially by elaborating high-level satire of its overall values, adopted customs, and expectations. Fabulously depicting the backbone of English society in the nineteenth century, the play portrays the duality prevalent in the social fabric. In this context, Wilde identifies flaws in the practices and aspirations of Victorian high society by using a satirical tone and ironic witticism. Hence, he leaves the final decision to the reader to judge the true essence and worth of values and customs. Undoubtedly, the era was adorned with particular moral codes, social status quo, the rigid hierarchy, and show-off manners of concocted prosperity. The play serves to highlight artificiality embedded in the overall social fabric (Haesche). So, the depiction of aspirations of characters, expectations of members and shallow values illustrates the mastery of writer. For example, the characters of Lady Bracknell and Jack are the exemplary manifestations, especially the conversation between these two. The lust of power and wealth to show off one’s prosperity among the members of society is portrayed here. However, the attitude and reaction of some characters like Jack also display the presence of reality in society, though in an oppressed manner. Meanwhile, the play also depicts a unique aspect of comedy crafted in a particular manner within a sophisticated realm. While having deep consideration of clever dialogue, sharp delivery with wit, satirical twists and characters’ brilliant exchange of wordplay, Wilde’s play falls under the category of high comedy. However, this essay will explore the effective criticism of Victorian high society by Oscar Wilde regarding the shallowness of values, satire on adopted customs, and ironic witticism in alliance with a sophisticated comedic element. In addition, it will also describe the brief sketches of various characters, their tones, rational attitudes and overall reflections concerning the play.
Analysis of Act I in the context of Social Setting:
Act I of “The Importance of Being Earnest” usually revolves around the critique of social settings of Victorian high society along with the expectations of respective members. The play takes the reader directly into the elegant drawing room, the symbolic representation of upper class’s luxury ventures. Apparently, it resembles a London townhouse of the era. The fascinating, neat, and clean atmosphere, marvelous decorations, collections of antiques, gorgeous furniture and privileged wealth display are the primary settings. The settings within four walls of a drawing room are basically the depiction of overall society’s values, evolved traditions, customs and high-leveled expectations of Victorian upper society. Besides the manifestation of overall environment, the conversation among the characters, their tone and interaction provides the insights of prevailing attitudes in the social fabric. It shows that the respectability of members is strictly aligned to social status and social codes. An individual’s place in society is linked with social standing in connection with the show-off status quo among the members instead of genuineness.
A closely related analysis is available in The Importance Of Being Earnest Drama Response.
Meanwhile, various themes in the play are the backbone which depicts the cleavage of expectations and reality of the members. Hence, the contradiction of Victorian society is vivid like in the theme of marriage. Marriage has become the source of financial security, sign of status quo and symbol of connection instead of personal affection and fulfillment of love expressions (Guan). Multiple characters in the play reflect contradictory perspectives regarding marriage. For example, Algernon declares marriage as “a demoralizing” tie. As he speaks in Act I to present his thought about marriage as: Then your wife will. You don’t seem to realise, that in married life three is company and two is none” (Wilde 14). While female characters like Gwendolen and Cecily associate it with love, fake or concocted emotions. Similarly, the social status and the class of an individual are the primary realm of recognition and respect. For example, Lady Bracknell is representative of the upper class obsessed with hierarchy, status, wealth and family background, etc.
Lady Bracknell; a Brief Character Analysis:
Lady Bracknell is a dominant character in the play I that embodies the symbolic values of Victorian upper class i.e., expectations and social status. She represents social elitism and Wilde masterfully provides the detailed depiction by elaborating criticism and satire. Her criteria are family background, wealth and social potential instead of affection and love. Her main ideology and notion of values is exemplified by her views on marriage and class status which are purely materialistic and rigid. Instead of considering marriage a respectful social institution and contract, she describes it as a strategic alliance characterized by acquisition of social status. Her insecurities about marriage for not getting the desired goals are commented in the play in a comic way as: “My dear fellow, the truth isn’t quite the sort of thing one tells to a nice, sweet, refined girl” (Wilde 22).
Similarly, the tone of Lady Bracknell represents the hypocrisy of the society in alliance with the high aspirations. Her ideas and words highlight shallowness of Victorian high society along with manifestation of superficiality. Wilde criticizes and satires her actions, notions, views and activities throughout the play. For example, on the confession words of Algernon for not knowing his parents, she exclaimed in a hideous way, “To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness” (Wilde 22). These are the witty assertions that depict the use of witticism by Wilde in the play. Similarly, she is so conscious about the class status that she urges others to act and behave according to the aspirations of the upper class. Such witty remarks are given by her when she looks at Mr. Worthing, “Mr. Worthing! Rise, sir, from this semi-recumbent posture. It is most indecorous” (Wilde 20).
Character of Jack; a Short Analysis:
In Act I of “The Importance of Being Earnest”, the tone and the character of Jack are displayed through conversation with Lady Bracknell. He is also known as Ernest concerning the play and carries Wilde’s high criticisms on the upper class regarding values, customs and practicality instead of superficiality. During the massive conversation, he occasionally amuses the readers with clever and fast delivery where he vividly exposes the shallowness of Victorian high society. His main purpose is to impress the lady by proving himself a compatible suitor for her daughter. That is why he feels somewhat reluctant, nervous and worried. He tries to answer her questions with precision by sticking to the societal expectations. However, on the other hand, he also dares to please her with keen awareness. So, his tone looks very pleasing and inspiring.
Surprisingly, his tone fluctuates between eagerness and nervousness and also transfers some amusement. Meanwhile, Wilde satirizes the upper society while reflecting on the values and customs through the responses of Jack. On giving remarks about the institution of marriage he criticizes the upper class by giving his own viewpoint as, “If I marry a charming girl like Gwendolen, and she is the only girl I ever saw in my life that I would marry, I certainly won’t want to know Bunbury” (Wilde 14).
Conclusion:
In conclusion, “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde is a high-level comedy that delivers reality-based satire and criticism of Victorian upper society. The use of tone, sharp responses, ironic witticisms and dialogue delivery make it a masterpiece that raises questions about the superficial values and customs prevailing in the upper class. In this context, various characters and their tones represent their unique domination either an agent of upper class or critique on social status, family background and aspirations. The depiction of flaws in Victorian society and its echoes in modern society are the main interests of the audience. Overall, it is a masterpiece of social commentary by Wilde.
Work Cited
Guan, Beibei. “Oscar Wilde’s Aestheticism.” Journal of Arts and Humanities 7.2 (2018): 24-32.
Haesche, Sabrina. “Sabrina Haesche Final Project: Direction of the Play, The Importance of Being Earnest.” (2020).
Wilde, Oscar, and Isobel Murray. The Importance of Being Earnest: Oscar Wilde. Spark Publishing, 2014.
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