The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

 Oscar Wilde

The Importance of Being Earnest

A Trivial Comedy for Serious People

Introduction

In this blog, we will explore the theme of 'The Importance of Being Earnest' and reflect on Victorian norms as portrayed in the play. Specifically, we will examine Oscar Wilde’s use of unique characterizations to critique Victorian social values and morals. In my previous blog, we discussed the Victorian Period briefly. Before reading this article, you should take a glance at it to understand this blog and engage with it. Furthermore, I am going to provide some information about Oscar Wilde. From my perspective, we encounter his tempestuous life in the play. Wilde is primarily remembered for his flamboyant lifestyle and outrageous behaviour. He was tried and convicted of homosexual practices and subsequently sentenced to two years of hard labour in what came to be known as the trial of the century.

 

The Author: Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde, who was born on October 16, 1854, in Dublin, Ireland, was poet, author and playwright in the Victorian Period. Wilde was keen on books, poets and poems, he lectured on poetry, and art criticism, and was a prominent advocate for aesthetic principles. He produced a lot of works such as Lady Windermere's Fan (1893), A Woman of No Importance (1893), An Ideal Husband (1899) and The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891). However, The Importance of Being Earnest (1895), which was one of his most lasting works, stands out as a masterpiece of modern comedy. “A comedy of manners” is defined as a genre that focuses on the social conduct and behaviour of individuals within an exceptionally refined upper-class society. Oscar Wilde, who primarily focused on the lower classes or social conditions, opted to satirize the lives of the English elite. His characters embodied typical Victorian snobbery.

 

“Oscar took the ball of talk wherever it happened to be and played with it so humorously that everyone was soon smiling delightedly.”

Frank Haris

OSCAR WILDE

The Play

We notice Wilde's wit expressed in diverse forms, notably through puns. A prime illustration of this is evident in the dual significance of the term 'earnest,' functioning both as a male name and an adjective denoting seriousness. Wilde perceived "earnestness" as a fundamental ideal within Victorian culture. He considered that British society is reserved and conservative. He concerned with the maintenance of social norms. The Importance of Being Earnest illustrates the constraints and discontentment resulting from such a lifestyle. Wilde's cleverness is apparent in his use of epigrams: brief, clever expressions. As an example, consider a scene where Jack declares his intention to propose to Gwendolen in town, and Algernon quips, "I had come up for pleasure? I call that business. I don't see anything in proposing. It is very romantic to be in love. The very essence of romance is uncertainty. If I ever get married, I will certainly try to forget the fact." The Importance of Being Earnest pursues various objectives, satirizing both the aristocracy and the literary realm. Additionally, it accomplishes this in a humorous manner while establishing some of the most memorable characters in English theatre history.

 

“Life is too important to be taken seriously”

Oscar Wilde

To be “earnest” means to be serious, and the main character (John/Jack) uses the name “earnest” when he is in the city. The play critiques the moral and social values of the Victorian era, utilizing Oscar Wilde's clever use of wit, puns, exaggeration, and wordplay to craft humour. Its classification falls under the genre of satire. The play includes 3 Acts. “Bunburging” is utilizing an alias to avoid being bound by social obligations. 

Lady Bracknell: mother of “Gwendolen” Gwendolen: wants to marry a man named “Earnest” Cecily: Jack’s ward Miss Prim: Cecyl’s governess.

Main Characters:

John Worthing: “Jack”-“Earnest”

Algernon Monterief: Jack’s friend.

Lane: the butler for Algernon.

Rev. Chousible: the preacher in the country.

Identity Migration in Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest

The idea of Victorian society portrayed by Wilde is not a visual representation, but rather a play that deals with issues of doubleness, conformity, and identity migration. Wilde's society in the late Victorian era revolved around middle-class moral values and the importance of maintaining outward appearances and adhering to social norms. In an era where the commonplace wish was to be held in esteem, especially in the pursuit of peer approval, the demands were exceptionally intense. The societal values and propriety standards were deeply rooted in religious beliefs, creating a pervasive influence. Consequently, individuals aspiring to conform experienced a pervasive sense of duality. In the play, Wilde cautions against the necessity of adopting a serious demeanour for societal acceptance and adhering to societal expectations. By portraying characters leading double lives, Wilde criticizes the constraints of his society. These characters carve out a separate realm to evade moral judgment and societal norms, leading to a concept of identity migration between different facets of themselves—an identity that is both intrinsic, personal, and self-fashioned. It is evident that earnestness holds significant importance in Victorian society, and Wilde uses this to underscore his societal critique. In Victorian society, seriousness holds great significance, but Wilde employs the concept of doubleness to satirize it. Within the play, the characters undergo a journey of identity exploration, showcasing the duality and the quest for self-discovery as they transition between different facets of their personalities. Jack Worthing's identity migration is the most obvious and occurs only at the end of the play. Identity migrants in the play are not exclusive to Jack and Algernon. Women can still have their own marginal identities despite their gender identities being limited.

·         Gwendolen is consistently observed by her mother, while Cecily is closely supervised by Miss Prism. As an example, Cecily fabricates a romantic relationship with 'Earnest' that doesn't necessitate him sending her letters. This highlights the depth of her longing to fantasize and seek a means of liberation from her domestic environment.

 

·         Miss Prim experienced the tragedy of losing a child, authored a novel, and has been leading a concealed existence as Cecily's governess within the residences of different individuals. The loss occurred during the infancy of the child, and her writing serves as a means of retreat, offering a clandestine, if not secluded, existence in an in-between realm.

“I can resist everything except temptation.”

Oscar Wilde

Gwendolen and Cecily, much like Jack, Algernon, and Miss Prim, transition from a public persona to a more personal one by engaging in separate and concealed lifestyles. They establish a secure haven where their deepest and personal desires can thrive, shielded from the oppressive and hypocritical norms of Victorian society that compel them to adopt artificial and restricted personas. They cannot maintain their self-identities. It is evident that Oscar Wilde defied boundaries and struggled to create his own identity, breaking the traditional norms of Victorian society. He resisted his duties as a proper Victorian husband and pursued relationships with men, which ultimately led to his death. Wilde expressed his frustration with a society that valued appearances above all things in his plays. Jack Worthing is introduced as he adopts the fictional identity of his imaginary sibling, Ernest Worthing, in the city, seeking a temporary respite from his duties to Cecily and his societal obligations. Likewise, Algernon has crafted a fictitious character, the ailing "Bunbury," as a means to elude both his creditors and his aunt, Augusta. Nevertheless, their forays into alternate identities proved to be short-lived. Lady Bracknell represents the embodiment of Victorian society, and both Algernon and Jack are acutely conscious of her authority in shaping their identities and the importance of gaining her approval. Gwendolen emphatically states, 'The only genuinely secure name is Earnest,' and despite Jack's initial resistance, he ultimately realizes the necessity of conforming to this notion. The underlying message is evident: in the Victorian era, women are constrained to choose a partner named 'Earnest' to feel secure and be able to uphold society's ideals with a sense of freedom.

Conclusion

Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" stands as a timeless masterpiece, captivating readers and audiences alike with its witty dialogue, satirical humour, and clever social commentary. Through the lens of farce and irony, Wilde skillfully explores the absurdities of Victorian society, poking fun at its rigid conventions and hypocritical norms. 

The Victorian Period: A Journey into the Time of Change

 The Victorian Period: A Journey into the Time of Change

The era spanned from 1837 to 1901 and was named after Queen Victoria, who reigned over the United Kingdom during this period. The Victorian Period was a period of significant social, economic and technological change in Britain. Due to the impact of industrialism, the wealth level increased in Britain, and London became the most important city in Europe. The population of London increased by roughly 2 to 6 million. Furthermore, we can observe that shift from the ownership of the land to the modern urban economy. However, in the Victorian era, people experienced anxiety due to a sense of being displaced individuals in an age of technological advances.

 

Queen Victoria

From 1837-1901, Queen Victoria was ruler of England. We can define this period as an age of “transition”, and an age characterized by energy and high moral purpose. We need to pay attention to certain qualities associated with the “Victorian Era” such as earnestness moral responsibility, and domestic property. Victoria, as a young wife and mother to nine children, exemplified the domestic loyalties cherished by her citizens. Even in the four decades that followed her husband's passing in 1861, she continued to represent these values as the Widow of Windsor, donning black attire. She was the first British monarch to have her picture taken. The accessibility and affordability of reproducing these images helped her effectively represent her country's identity during her reign. After Queen Victoria's death, there was a reaction that sought to question many achievements of the previous era. This reinforced the idea that the Victorian age was truly distinct and separate in history.

The Early Victorian Period (1830-1848)

In 1830, as wealth levels increased, the Liverpool and Manchester Railway opened, marking the world's first public railway line. Within 20 years, railway lines connected England's major cities. By 1900, England boasted 15,195 miles of railway lines and an underground rail system that facilitated the growth of commerce and reduced distances. The Reform Bill of 1823 altered the English class and social structure and extended the right to vote for all males, owing to property. The second Reform Bill was enacted in 1867, it extended the right to vote working class. The challenges faced in both the economic and social aspects during the process of industrialization were so significant that the period between the 1830s and 1840s came to be known as the Time of Troubles. Between 1830 and 1840. We come across The Time of Troubles in which unemployment and poverty broke out. It brought about rebellions. For the working class, particularly children and women, conditions were terrible. The mine and factory owners saw themselves as free from any blame for these conditions, as they strongly believed in the laissez-faire economic theory. This theory held that unregulated working conditions would eventually benefit all parties involved. This Time of Troubles left its mark on some early Victorian literature.

The Mid-Victorian Period (1830’s and 1830’s)

This period was a time of prosperity, improvement, stability, and optimism. In 1881, Prince Albert opened the 'Great Exhibition' in Hyde Park. Furthermore, the Crystal Palace, built according to modern architectural principles, symbolized the triumphs of the Victorian industry. The immigration movement increased to British colonies between 1853 and 1880. In 1857, the British government took over India, and Queen Victoria became Empress of India. As a result, Christianity spread in India, Africa, and Asia. The evangelical movement emphasized the spiritual transformation of the individual through conversion and a moral Christian life. The High Church defended the importance of tradition, ritual, and authority. The Broad Church was open to modern ideas. At the same time that the British missionary enterprise was expanding, there was increasing debate about religious belief. During the mid-Victorian era, the Church of England underwent significant changes and came to be characterized by three main factions: The Evangelical Church, the Broad Church, and the High Church.

·         The Evangelical movement emphasized the spiritual transformation of the individual through conversion and a moral Christian life.

·         The High Church defended the importance of tradition, ritual, and authority.

·         The Broad Church was open to modern ideas.

Some rationalist challenges to religious belief that developed before the Victorian period maintained their influence. The most significant was Utilitarianism, also known as Benthamism or Philosophical Radicalism. Utilitarianism derived from the thought of Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) and his disciple, James Mill (1773-1836), the father of John Stuart Mill. It failed to recognize people's spirituality. It was a rationalist test of value. During the mid-Victorian era, the field of biology pushed humanity even deeper into insignificance. Charles Darwin's influential work, The Origin of Species (1859), was met with various interpretations by the general public. While some mistakenly believed that evolution meant continuous progress, the majority of readers understood that Darwin's theory of natural selection not only contradicted the biblical notion of creation but also challenged long-standing beliefs about humanity's unique position in the world.

 

The Late Victorian Period (1870-1901)

The last phase of the Victorian Age is more difficult to categorize, for there are a lot of issues to impact this period. Bismarck’s Germany and the United States became rival powers. The decay of Victorian values brought about new ideas and lifestyles. For lots of affluent Victorians, this final phase of the century was a time of serenity and security, the age of house parties and long weekends in the country. During the last decades of the century, British imperialism reached its peak. However, the true price of maintaining the empire became more evident through uprisings, brutal incidents, and unsuccessful military campaigns. Examples include the Indian Mutiny of 1857 and the Jamaica Rebellion of 1865. Under the leadership of Disraeli, in 1867, a second Reform Bill was successfully enacted. This bill expanded the voting rights to certain segments of the working class. This, along with the subsequent growth of trade unions, established labour as a formidable political entity that encompassed various forms of socialism. Due to severe economic depressions in 1873 and 1874, the rate of emigration increased to an alarming extent. Another change in the mid-Victorian balance of power was the growth of labour as a political and economic force. The literature of this final phase of Victorianism indicates a significant shift in attitudes. Late Victorian writers took a stand against the major mid-Victorian figures to express the change. The nineties, in this era, aesthetic movement started and the works, which were written in the term, reflected melancholy. Furthermore, in literature, the modern movement started. Of course, the changes were not in evidence everywhere. Victorian standards were breaking down on several fronts.