Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde seems to be one of the funniest plays we have read this whole year. Even though we are still on the first act, it already appears that this play has some funny criticism about society in those days. Some of the themes that are already evident are double life, social criticism, marriage and appearances. The language and wit consists of chiasmus, contradiction, and puns.

The author seems to make fun of marriage a lot in the play through criticism that is spoken by Algernon. For example he says, “I really don’t see anything romantic in proposing. It is very romantic to be in love. But there is nothing romantic about a definite proposal. Why, one may be accepted. One usually is, I believe. Then the excitement is all over. The very essence of romance is uncertainty. If I ever get married, I’ll certainly try to forget the fact”. Later he goes on to say that “divorces are made in heaven”. Both of these quotes show contradiction and criticism of marriage. As marriage should be happy on earth and the fact or proposing should be one of the most important and romantic things in life, Wilde makes it seem that they are quite the opposite.  Later on Algernon says, “then your wife will. You don’t seem to realize, that in married life three is company and two is none”. Algernon perhaps seems to be representing and mocking society in which he resides in. While he represents the society, he seems to be mocking through the use of contradictory statements in his speeches.

Moreover, Algernon seems to criticize women in his society by saying “well, in the first place girls never marry the men they flirt with. Girls don’t think it right”. I think that is one of the funniest things I have read all semester! But why is Wilde making this one character say all of these things? Why is he mocking society and females? Later he goes on and mocks dentists by saying that “it produces a false impression”. How ironic and funny is that?

Another, theme is double lives. Jack seems to also be Earnest. What is the importance of double lives though?  Is he stating that everyone in society is two-faced and changes their personality based on where they are and who they are with, such as being in the country or in town? Country seems to represent a high moral tone, while the town is represented as scrapes. Is this true in real life as well?