In what sense is “The Importance of Being Earnest” anti-feminist and anti-romantic?
The Importance of Being Earnest is a notable literary work by Oscar Wilde. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of The Importance of Being Earnest.
Answer
In what sense is “The Importance of Being Earnest” anti-feminist and anti-romantic? [NU: 2018, 22] ★★★
“The Importance of Being Earnest” (1895) by Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) is a brilliant satire. It is an anti-feminist and anti-romantic play. It is comic but also critical. The play exposes the Victorian attitudes towards women, love, and marriage. Wilde shows that romance is shallow and women are often controlled.
Anti-Feminist Aspects: The play is often called anti-feminist because female characters are limited. They seem witty, but their choices are controlled by men and parents. Lady Bracknell dominates Gwendolen’s life. In Act I, she says,
“When you do become engaged to someone, I, or your father… will inform you of the fact.”
This shows how mothers decided their daughters’ marriages. Gwendolen and Cecily also appear obsessed with names rather than real qualities. Their dreams reflect society’s shallow view of women.
Anti-Romantic Aspects: Wilde also mocks romance itself. Gwendolen says in Act I,
“The only really safe name is Ernest.”
She does not care about Jack’s true nature. She only loves the name. Cecily also creates a fantasy engagement with Algernon before even meeting him. These silly attitudes show that romance is not pure love, but a game of appearances. Algernon makes this clearer when he says in Act I,
“The very essence of romance is uncertainty.”
This reduces love to fun and irrational play, not deep emotion.
In short, the play is both anti-feminist and anti-romantic. Women are shown as controlled and shallow. Here, Love is shown as trivial and comic. Wilde laughs at both but also exposes Victorian weakness.