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