Topic : The Importance of Being Earnest

Main text

The Importance of Being Earnest A Trivial Comedy for Serious People Author: Oscar Wilde THE PERSONS IN THE PLAY John Worthing, J.P. Algernon Moncrieff Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D. Merriman, Butler Lane, Manservant Lady Bracknell Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax Cecily Cardew Miss Prism, Governess THE SCENES OF THE PLAY ACT I. Algernon Moncrieff’s Flat in Half-Moon Street, W. ACT II. The Garden at the Manor House, Woolton. ACT III. Drawing-Room at the Manor House, Woolton. TIME: The Present. LONDON: ST. JAMES’S THEATRE Lessee and Manager: Mr. George Alexander February 14th, 1895 * * * * * John Worthing, J.P.: Mr. George Alexander. [...]

Key info

The Importance of Being Earnest, a Trivial Comedy for Serious People is a play by Oscar Wilde. Look at the key facts of the novel to get a quick conception.

• Full Title: The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People.
• Genre: Social comedy; comedy of manners; satire; intellectual farce.
• Time of composition: 1894
• First performed: 1895
• Published date: 1899
• Number of acts: Three acts each divided into two parts
• Time setting: late nineteenth century or 1890s
• Place setting: A stylish flat in London and A country house in Hertfordshire.

Summary

The play started in 1895. Firstly, in the afternoon, a tea party is shown. Here the play begins in Algernon's stylish flat. Algernon is shown playing the piano at the beginning. But it is basically a criticism. Because he can't play the piano very well. So while Algernon clumsily plays the piano, his servant Lane prepares for the tea party. Because three guests will come to this afternoon tea party. One is Algernon's aunt Lady Bracknell. Another is Algernon's cousin or Lady Bracknell's beautiful daughter Gwendolen Fairfax and Algernon's friend Ernest. Ernest here refers to Jack. Actually when Jack comes to London from the village, he takes the name Ernest. And now that he's in London, we'll call him Ernest.

Themes

Cash, Class, and Character
Wilde exposes the rigid class structures of Victorian England, showing how wealth and status overshadow personal virtues. Lady Bracknell’s interrogation of Jack reveals how marriage is reduced to an assessment of financial and social standing. Jack’s lack of family connections disqualifies him in her eyes, regardless of his moral character. Wilde uses this theme to highlight the absurdity of equating worth with lineage and wealth.

Characters

Jack / Ernest Worthing: He is the drama's protagonist and was adopted as an infant. He is a rich, young bachelor of 28 with no known family. He lives a double life – as Jack Worthing in the country and Ernest in town.