“The Importance of Being Earnest” is a picture of the contemporary upper-class society?
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
To what extent is “The Importance of Being Earnest” a picture of the contemporary upper-class society? [NU: 2019, 22] ★★★
“The Importance of Being Earnest” (1895) by Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) is a mirror of Victorian high society. He called it “A Trivial Comedy for Serious People.” The play reflects Victorian England’s upper-class life. Wilde exposes their values, hypocrisy, and shallow concerns. Through wit and humour, he criticizes society’s obsession with wealth, manners, and appearances.
Superficiality of the Upper Class: “The Importance of Being Earnest” is a comic masterpiece and a brilliant comedy. This play focuses on the lives of the upper-class people in Victorian England. Wilde shows that the upper class cared only for appearances. They often ignored honesty and true character. Gwendolen and Cecily insist they will only marry a man named Ernest. They see the name as serious and respectable. In Act I, Gwendolen says,
“The only really safe name is Ernest.”
This shows their love is based on something trivial. Wilde mocks the shallow and foolish nature of upper-class romance.
Marriage as a Social Tool: Marriage in the play is shown as a social contract. Love is less important than wealth and family. Lady Bracknell is the strongest voice here. She rejects Jack when she learns of his mysterious background. In Act I, she says,
“To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.”
Her words are comic but also cruel. Marriage here is not about feelings but about social status and security.
Hypocrisy and Double Identity: Wilde also exposes hypocrisy in upper-class life. Jack and Algernon both create false identities. Jack pretends to have a wicked brother named Ernest. In Act I, he admits,
“ I have always pretended to have a younger brother of the name of Ernest.”
Algernon invents a sick friend called Bunbury to escape duties. Both characters represent how upper-class men avoided responsibility with lies. This highlights the falseUnlock this study guide now