the importance of being earnest essay conclusion

The Importance of Being Earnest

Oscar wilde, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

The Importance of Being Earnest: Introduction

The importance of being earnest: plot summary, the importance of being earnest: detailed summary & analysis, the importance of being earnest: themes, the importance of being earnest: quotes, the importance of being earnest: characters, the importance of being earnest: symbols, the importance of being earnest: literary devices, the importance of being earnest: quizzes, the importance of being earnest: theme wheel, brief biography of oscar wilde.

Historical Context of The Importance of Being Earnest

Other books related to the importance of being earnest.

• Full Title: The Importance of Being Earnest
• When Written: Summer 1894
• Where Written: Worthing, England
• When Published: First produced as a play on February 14, 1895; published in 1899
• Literary Period: Aestheticism; Victorian Era
• Genre: play; Victorian melodrama; comedy of manners; intellectual farce; satire
• Setting: The 1890s in London, England (Act I), and then Hertfordshire, a rural country outside of London (Acts II and III).
• Climax: Gwendolen and Cecily discover that neither Jack, nor Algernon holds the name of “Ernest.”
• Antagonist: Lady Bracknell

Extra Credit for The Importance of Being Earnest

Just dandy: Known for his long hair and the ever-present flower in his button-hole, Wilde popularized the figure of the “fop,” or “dandy,” a man devoted to his personal appearance, style, and dress.

“The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde

Welcome to our The Importance of Being Earnest essay sample! Here, you’ll find the analysis of the story’s main themes and comedy elements. Get ideas for your essay on The Importance of Being Earnest with our essay sample.

The Importance of Being Earnest Essay Thesis Statement

The importance of being earnest essay introduction, morality and marriage, why a comedy, the importance of being earnest essay conclusion, works cited.

Oscar Wilde had written during the Victorian time which was an era that laid much emphasis on moral values. It can be contended that The Importance of Being Earnest is in essence a play on morality since the major argument surfacing after its reading relates to honesty as being the best policy.

Although the learning from the play strengthens the values as prevailing during the period, there is quite a lot in the play that is not as per convention. The primary reason for Wilde’s success was that he was able to narrate an appealing story that further strengthened the prevailing social values. This he was able to do by making use of the untraditional relationships and images.

The Importance of Being Earnest was the last play written by Oscar Wilde and it undoubtedly became the most celebrated. George Bernard Shaw and H G Wells considered the play amongst the funniest that were ever written and to this day the play continues to absorb and entertain theatre lovers through out the world.

The play makes fun of the literary world, the aristocratic society and the customs and mannerisms of the British, while at the same time questions the concept of identity. The plans of the different characters in the play are seen to be going topsy-turvy due to the occurrence of unexpected developments. Wilde has skilfully taken up the issues of romantic gamesmanship, social ambitions and class pretensions through wit sharpened dialogues.

A major reason for the play’s success is the large number of spicy epigrams used by Wilde. Although some of the succinct and inconsistent statements relate to contemporary happenings, most of them are general manifestations of beauty, classes, women and men.

Most of the statements are being quoted to this day and keep on delighting the audience with their mix of absurdities and sophistication. Other than revealing the beauty, the play is a masterpiece in depicting Victorian styles as prevalent during the time, especially in relation to morality and marriage.

For long, marriage had been a significant issue and Wilde had depicted its scheming use as a social instrument of progression. Other than Miss Prism, all the ladies in the play are seen as having hidden motives in regard to romance. Wilde has convincingly criticized the superficial ways of politeness as practiced by society and has outlined the nature of the shallow masks that were worn by aristocratic Victorians.

A major source of humour in the play is the confused source of values as displayed by the characters. In this regard, Wilde had commented about the play as being “exquisitely trivial, a delicate bubble of fancy, and it has its philosophy that we should treat all the trivial things of life seriously, and all the serious things of life with sincere and studied triviality,” (Oscar Wilde, 2005).

Wilde had impressed upon his actors to speak out their words very seriously so that the audience did not think that they were joking. Although in essence the play is a comedy that relates to protocol, it has openly used ridiculous means to minimize its significance. Fortunately the audience is ever willing to ignore the inconsistency and indiscretions in the play.

Within the structure of the play one can feel the allusions of homosexuality implied in the male characters. It is known that while he was writing this play, Wilde was leading a twin life of a married man as also of a homosexual.

The original audiences of the play were utterly shocked at the reference of such a culture in the play and unfortunately for Wilde, the success of the play was not carried too further as his well known trial began after the opening night of the play and his career began to get loose.

There are two major issues forming the critique of The Importance of Being Earnest. Firstly, although the play was very well received by audiences when it opened for the first time, critics during the time openly questioned the moral aspects pertinent in the play.

The play was attacked by George Bernard Shaw for its “real degeneracy” (Bob Nelson, 1993), and described the playwright’s word play as being rather hateful and sinister. The second issue relates to the dramatic framework of the play in exhibiting aspects of parody, comedy of manners and mockery. Critics have been unable to come to a conclusion in regard to what category the play belongs to.

Critics are divided on the issue of morality in The Importance of Being Earnest. According to Edouard Roditi, who wrote the book Oscar Wilde, the playwright’s comedy did not rise higher than “the incomplete or the trivial” (Edouard Roditi, 1947).

Roditi felt that the play did not have ethical perspectives since no character saw through other characters nor criticized their values. Eric Bentley also felt the same way and concluded that “because of its ridiculous action, the play fails to break… into bitter criticism of serious issues” (Eric Bentley, 1987).

Otto Reinert has opined that Wilde’s comedy has had the effect of “an exposure both of hypocrisy and of the unnatural convention that necessitates hypocrisy” (Otto Reinert, 1956). Consequently there was a superficial cover up of the white lies that maintained politeness in the so called polite society, which alone was able to give the plot a moral meaning.

This is exemplified by the instance in the play when Algernon is criticized by Lady Bracknell for having taken care of his make believe friend, Bunberry who was supposed to make a decision whether he was going to die or live. In criticizing him she voices her conservative belief that “illness in others is always faked [and]… consequently sympathy with invalids is faked also” (Oscar Wilde, 2005)

Although Lady Bracknell is portrayed as respecting convention she is believed to have had no illusions about “the reality her professed convention is supposed to conceal” (Otto Reinert, 1956). She presumes that both Bunberry and Algeron are “bubburying” and she behaves in a way that “exposes the polite cynicism that negates all values save personal convenience and salon decorum” (Otto Reinert, 1956).

The lady’s behaviour is in the nature of exposing the polite cynicism in negating all desired values except salon decorum and personal convenience. Lady Bracknell is not protected from her own shortcomings in being extra earnest.

She disapproves of marriages amongst mercenaries and admits that when she had married Lord Bracknell she did not have any fortune, which implied that she was opposed to marrying for money, and that she was not in possession of much wealth at the time she married a wealthy man.

According to Reinert, “this position is neither cynical nor funny. It represents… [a] compromise between practical hardheadedness and conventional morality” (Otto Reinert, 1956).

In all, the play has not endorsed social dishonesty and for some time it makes a mockery of respectability. The use of paradoxical morality by Wilde has served as an evaluation of the “the problem of manners.”

This is so because Algeron, in trying to escape the pretence of conventions, becomes a hypocrite himself when he pretends to be a person that he actually is not. Wilde has conveyed that the so called Victorian morality forced people to lead a life of double standards, one that was frolicsome and another that was respectable, none of them being solemn.

A critical issue in the play relates to the categorization of the play. It has been described as a “farce that represents the reality that Victorian convention pretends to ignore” (Otto Reinert, 1956). The characters have not been ironic enough by way of saying something but meaning something else.

In fact they really mean what ever they state, which is evident from the fact that Algernon does not wish to attend lady Bracknell’s dinner party since she will invariably make him sit near Mary Farquhar who is in the habit of flirting while sitting with her own husband.

Reinert has written in this regard that, “Algernon is indignant with a woman who spoils the fun of extramarital flirtation and who parades her virtue. He is shocked at convention. And his tone implies that he is elevating break of convention into a moral norm,” (Otto Reinert, 1956). This makes things conventional out of unconventional situations.

Wilde’s comedy is seen as working through a caricature in transforming the techniques of comedy, plot situations and the characters.

The play has been defended against the charge that it was just a mockery because mockery “depends for its effects upon extremely simplified characters tangling themselves up in incongruous situations, as in Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors or Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer.

Instead, the comedy of Earnest subsists, for the most part, not in action or situation but in dialogue, which is too witty and intellectual to be described simply as a farce,”(Forster, 1956).

Instead of being a comedy of manners or a mockery, Forster believed that Wilde used characters and familiar plot devices satirizing the Victorian community. The relationship that Jack has with Gwendolen symbolizes the problems faced by lovers in being forced to stay away from getting married due to class differences.

Wilde found a novel solution by establishing Jack’s patrimony in being the child at the railway station. A common feature of romantic literature pertains to falling in love at first sight which too is demonstrated by Wilde in total contrast when Cecily falls in love with Algernon, not at first sight but simply because she is under the impression that his name is Everest.

Although Algernon is depicted as being cynical, but there is evidence in indicating that such cynicism is shallow since after he met Cecily, “Algernon is engaged to be married and reconciled to getting christened,” (Forster, 1956).

In appearing to be innocent and protected, Cecily conveys that it would become a hypocritical situation if Algernon tries to be good while trying to project himself as being fiendish. According to Forster, “The moral of Wilde’s parody: the rake is a fake, girlish innocence is the bait of a monstrous mantrap, the wages of sin in matrimony,” (Forster, 1956).

In essence the dramatic troubles as identified by some critics in the play, are seen as being its strengths. Forster emphasizes that the whole point of the play lies in the machinations of its plot and the convenience outlined behind the numerous coincidences that are neatly placed in its resolutions.

Bob Nelson, The Importance of Being Earnest , A study Guide.

Edouard Roditi, Oscar Wilde, 1947, Norfolk: New Directions

Eric Bentley, The Playwright as Thinker, 1987, Harvest Books Foster, Richard. “Wilde as Parodist: A Second Look at The Importance Of Being Earnest.” October, 1956, College English

Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, 2005, Prestwick House Inc

Reinert, Otto. “Satiric Strategy in The Importance Of Being Earnest.” October, 1956, College English

Cite this paper

• Chicago (N-B)
• Chicago (A-D)

StudyCorgi. (2020, January 8). “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde. https://studycorgi.com/the-importance-of-being-earnest-by-oscar-wilde/

"“The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde." StudyCorgi , 8 Jan. 2020, studycorgi.com/the-importance-of-being-earnest-by-oscar-wilde/.

StudyCorgi . (2020) '“The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde'. 8 January.

1. StudyCorgi . "“The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde." January 8, 2020. https://studycorgi.com/the-importance-of-being-earnest-by-oscar-wilde/.

Bibliography

StudyCorgi . "“The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde." January 8, 2020. https://studycorgi.com/the-importance-of-being-earnest-by-oscar-wilde/.

StudyCorgi . 2020. "“The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde." January 8, 2020. https://studycorgi.com/the-importance-of-being-earnest-by-oscar-wilde/.

This paper, ““The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde”, was written and voluntary submitted to our free essay database by a straight-A student. Please ensure you properly reference the paper if you're using it to write your assignment.

Before publication, the StudyCorgi editorial team proofread and checked the paper to make sure it meets the highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, fact accuracy, copyright issues, and inclusive language. Last updated: June 12, 2022 .

If you are the author of this paper and no longer wish to have it published on StudyCorgi, request the removal . Please use the “ Donate your paper ” form to submit an essay.

The Importance of Being Earnest

By oscar wilde, the importance of being earnest essay questions.

Explain the pun of the title. Who is being Earnest in this play? Do Gwendolen and Cecily prefer having husbands named Ernest to having earnest husbands?

Analyze the gender reversals in this text. Does the feminized Lord Bracknell foreshadow what Jack and Algernon may become? Are males or females more passive/dominated in this play?

How does dramatic irony create humor in The Importance of Being Earnest? Identify a handful of instances in which the audience members know more about what is going on than the characters on stage. Why does this create humor?

What is the role of textuality in this play-do letters and diaries have a stronger reliability or ring of truth than conversation?

Analyze the various times that the characters eat in this play, primarily the cucumber sandwiches and the muffins. Does eating serve a primarily social or anti-social function?

Does Wilde prevent any version of true love? Does the extent to which Gwendolen and Cecily are self-centered affect your analysis?

Algernon observes that: "Women only call each other sister when they have called each other a lot of other things first." How does the development of the relationship between Cecily and Gwendolen bear out this remark? What causes them to bond together? What causes them to behave competitively?

What does the common classification of The Importance of being Earnest as a "comedy of manners" refer to? Could this play operate in a classless, non-hierarchical society?

How do words take on a life of their own in this play? How does this relate to why it is it so easy for Prism to substitute her manuscript for a baby? Analyze diaries as a source of power and truth-making.

Analyze the role of class in Lady Bracknell's worldview. If she more impressed by land, by nobility, or by wealth?

The Importance of Being Earnest Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Importance of Being Earnest is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

What happened as a result of the following situation?

When Jack tells Lady Bracknell that Cecily will be a rich woman, Lady Bracknell immediately changes her mind about Cecily and decides that she will be a suitable wife for Algernon.

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

Algernon's throwaway quip to Lane that "anyone can play [piano] accurately but I play with wonderful expression" is a good thumbnail of Wilde's philosophy of art. Wilde was heavily influenced by Walter Pater and the other aesthetes of the...

What can I say about the NARRATIVE TECHNIQUE ?

The play, The Importance of Being Earnest , does not have a narrator.

Study Guide for The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest study guide contains a biography of Oscar Wilde, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Importance of Being Earnest
• The Importance of Being Earnest Summary
• Character List

Essays for The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Importance of Being Earnest.

• Maxims and Masks: The Epigram in "The Importance of Being Earnest"
• Paradox through Pacing in Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest"
• Sincere Triviality: The Comedy of Oscar Wilde
• Structural Stereotypes of the Characters in The Importance of Being Earnest
• The Institution of Marriage in Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” and Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles”

Lesson Plan for The Importance of Being Earnest

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to The Importance of Being Earnest
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• The Importance of Being Earnest Bibliography

E-Text of The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest e-text contains the full text of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.

Wikipedia Entries for The Importance of Being Earnest

• Introduction
• Composition
• Productions

“The Importance of Being Earnest” Essay

The adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s comedy play “The Importance of Being Earnest,” which was conducted by Oliver Parker in 2002, found success and recognition in the wide audience of film-lovers. The movie represents an example of a stunning faithful direction of original writing. The adaptation coincides with the authentic source along different lines. The major resemblance aspects include a reproduction of a witty spirit of the play and the peculiarities of rich comical language, which find their reflection in work.

The initial monologs that represent play’s direction in the original play and evolves as an epilog in the movie show that the primary intention of a film director is to keep to the authenticity of Oscar Wilde’s intentional statement. Indeed, commentaries in film adaptations provide a backbone for initial agreement or disagreement with a play author (McFarlane par. 3).

The establishment of a social correlation between the play and film adaptation contributes to a revelation of the author’s time’s spirit (Stirbetiu 491). In his film, Oliver Parker manages to reflect a spirit of the Victorian times by supporting the traditional for the period humor acts and characteristics of Englishmen. The spirit resemblances are also supported through setting identity. Thus, the author depicts many countryside episodes, which disclose the real-life settings of the 19 th century.

Moreover, the film director depicts the luxury of the Victorian times by making use of Lady Bracknell’s palace, which is facilitated by red carpets and marble elements. Furthermore, the faithfulness of adaptation finds its revelation in the depiction of the critical values of Oscar Wilde’s times. In this respect, the author demonstrates that the upper classes of Victorian England appreciated their noble statuses as the highest values and agreed on the unimportance of state-society and radicalism discordance.

Both in the play and in the movie, the values are mostly communicated by Lady Bracknell’s, who is a distinguished Victorian character. The language of the actors is linked to the communicative peculiarities of the play characters as well. Thus, the speeches and dialogues are full of humoristic remarks, oxymoron, and verbal absurdity: “Education produces no effect whatsoever” (Wilde 32).

The resemblance of characterization coincides with the descriptions of all characters. Thus, two central figures – Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff embody the silliness of the time period. The roles are performed by Colin Firth and Rupert Everett. The actors manage to reflect the pretentiousness of Victorians’ desires and values.

Thus, both figures communicate with their imaginary friends and call themselves Earnest, which emphasizes the nobility of the positions. In fact, however, the actions and words of the figures are permeated with lies, which are perfectly perceived by the audience. Therefore, the film director follows a direct mode of characterization (“Different Modes of Adaptation” par. 5). The depiction of the distinguished lady Cecily Cardew, who was guarded by both Jack and Algernon, serves as the most authentic character translation (Camarillo 23).

Thus, the Hollywood actress, Reese Witherspoon, complies with the play character not only in appearance but her language and manners as well. Specifically, the charming blond lady manages to overtake the appropriate Victorian accent and modes of expression. Conclusively, one may claim that film faithfulness represents a primary advantage of the movie adaptation.

Still, it has some minor weaknesses. Mainly, Oliver Parker adds several elements, which can not be correlated with the experiences of the 19 th century’s life. The bright example is the episode with Gwendolyn, who gets a tattoo on the backside ( The Importance of Being Earnest ).

Works Cited

Camarillo, Emmanuel. “Analysis of Character Translations in Film Adaptations of Popular Literature.” CMC Senior Thesis (2014): 1-47. Print.

Different Modes of Adaptation 2014. Web.

McFarlane, Brian. Novel to Film: An Introduction to the Theory of Adaptation . 2006. Web.

Stirbetiu, Maria. “Literature and Film Adaptation Theory.” Language and Discourse (2012): 491-499. Print.

The Importance of Being Earnest . Dir. Oliver Parker. Perf. Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Frances O’Connor, Reese Witherspoon. Miramax Films, 2002. DVD.

Wilde, Oscar. The Importance of Being Earnest . Ed. Leonard Smithers. London: Oxfam, 1898. 1-60. Print.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2020, May 9). “The Importance of Being Earnest”. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-importance-of-being-earnest/

"The Importance of Being Earnest." IvyPanda , 9 May 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/the-importance-of-being-earnest/.

IvyPanda . (2020) '“The Importance of Being Earnest”'. 9 May.

IvyPanda . 2020. "The Importance of Being Earnest." May 9, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-importance-of-being-earnest/.

1. IvyPanda . "The Importance of Being Earnest." May 9, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-importance-of-being-earnest/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "The Importance of Being Earnest." May 9, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-importance-of-being-earnest/.

• "The Importance of Being Earnest" Directed by Oliver Parker Review
• "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde: Critical Analysis
• Relationship Dynamics in Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest"
• Censorship of Films in the UAE
• Neo in "The Matrix" - Film by the Wachowskis
• The Lord of the Rings - Film Study
• "Hotel Rwanda" by Terry George Film Analysis
• "Crash" by Paul Haggis - Film Studies

The Importance of Being Earnest - Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas

The Importance of Being Earnest is a comedic play by Oscar Wilde that satirizes the Victorian social norms and aristocratic pretenses. Essays on this play might explore Wilde’s witty dialogue, the social commentary embedded within the humor, or the characters’ quest for personal freedom amidst societal expectations. Other angles might include examining the play’s influence on later literary works, or dissecting the relevance of its satire in today’s social scenario. A vast selection of complimentary essay illustrations pertaining to The Importance of Being Earnest you can find at PapersOwl Website. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

The Importance of being Earnest Analysis

The Importance of Being Earnest was a play first performed in London 1895, written by Oscar Wilde. If one takes this play face value this play is just a humorous play, but it has a darker meaning. It is truly mocking the Victorian Society of the time. This play is a horatian satire, which are happy and joyful, but seeks to correct foolishness with laughter. But all the while also attacks the characteristics of Victorian time. Oscar Wilde wrote this […]

Title: the Importance of being Earnest

Characteristics of the Genre: “The Importance of Being Earnest” is a mix of genres: satire and comedy of manners. Comedy of manners is shown in the play through the flamboyant characters, Algernon and Jack, and their witty conversations with each other. The satirical dialogue in the play has elements of sexual jokes and puns, this is significant as it conveys the purpose of the play which is to mock the ways of the Victorian society and people’s mindset towards marriage. […]

The Hidden Truth of Victorian Marriage between the Lines of Oscar Wilde’s Poetry

During the Victorian era, Victorian girls were well trained and groomed by their mothers to become the perfect wives and mothers. Relationships between a man and female, in this era, often led to marriage. Before marriage, physical contact between a woman and man was looked down upon. Individuals, within the Victorian era, married within their same level of class and the woman become the devoted housewife. In the Victorian weddings, a white dress indicated leisure and innocence of pre-marriage sexual […]

We will write an essay sample crafted to your needs.

Marriage in the Importance of being Earnest

The importance of being earnest employs satire in mocking the Victorian age mindset of, love and social norms of marriage. This comic play ironically expounds on the theme of manners by portraying social conventions in making its audience laugh. Triviality is another theme the play is trying to bring out. Oscar Wilde through that play shows how trivial matters are given more attention by people instead of earnest matters through the relationships and marriages in the play. The importance of […]

“The Importance of being Earnest” : Centuries & Marriage

Throughout the years marriage has evolved in many ways. Women now have more rights and privileges, love plays a major role in the matrimonies that take place, an engagement is entered into and neither person has to approach it like it is a business deal, and people do not have guidelines or rules to follow. Courtship was cruel to both men and women, it did not allow them to get to know other people. Now, couples can test compatibility before […]

Idea of Marriage in Oscar Wilde’s Book

"In the book, The Importance of being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde, mentions the ideals of marriage between the characters and their situations. The Importance of Being Earnest focuses on two main couples, Jack (Ernest) and Gwendolen and Algernon and Cecily. However, Lady Bracknell, Gwendolens mother, plays a key role in the plot of satire that is being used regarding marriage ideals, as her ideals sum the ridiculous standards of the Victorian Age. Oscar Wilde uses satire to ridicule the cultural […]

Gender Roles and Love in “The Importance of being Earnest”

“The Importance of Being Earnest” is a trivial comedy for serious people written by Oscar Wilde. Wilde expresses comedy through purposely criticizing the aristocratic. In “The Importance of Being Earnest,” Oscar Wilde treats humorously serious issues and conflicts, such as class structure, marriage and courtship, as if they are a joke to the Victorian Society. In the Victorian Society and even in today’s society, the world is extremely stereotypical against gender. Wilde views the females in the play stereotypically. For […]

Deception and Irony in “The Importance of being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde

To be earnest usually means to be sincere and honest. As it is mentioned in the title, the first impression that the reader gets is that the main figures are implementing these ideas. But why then are they exactly the opposite and act in such mischievous and misbehaviour ways? And here comes the irony which follows along through the whole piece. The figures create false deceitful images which lead to ""comedy of manners"". Are they used for good or bad? […]

Algernon sees marriage as an undesirable burden in life. He is doubtful about the true happiness and love that can come with marriage and therefore has his concerns about living the rest of his life in an unhealthy relationship. In Act I, as Algernon is talking to his butler Lane, Lane says “I often observed that in married households the champagne is rarely of a first rate brand,” and Algernon responds by saying “is marriage so demoralizing as that?” (Wilde, […]

The Era of Class and Play of Satire

The victorian Era is remembered as an era of class, structure, and matrimony. It is a time in which men and women had certain duties society had expected them to follow. The years between 1835 and 1900, the Victorian Era, was a time of great change. The society of England represented various classes, rules, and lifestyles. Furthermore, both men and women had their own ettiquetes. Although a respectable era, it is brought up in several plays and novels of literature […]

Character’s Personas in a Play Jack Worthing

In the play, Jack Worthing, a member of England’s upper class, has two different personas. In the town, he goes by Ernest, but in the country, where he is placed in a position of guardianship, he goes by his given name, Jack. In Act 1, he admits to a fellow Bunburyist, Algernon, that “in order to get up to town [he] pretend[s] to have a younger brother of the name Ernest, who lives in the Albany, and gets into the […]

Entertainment and Criticisms of the Victorian Era

At first glance, Oscar Wilde’s Importance of Being Earnest, appears to be a witty comedic work. When one takes a closer look, however, it becomes apparent that Wilde was issuing a variety of criticisms about the Victorian period. The characters are perceived as having power and wealth, and the very idea having said power causes the characters to behave in a way that they believe to be worthy of that power. They will stop at nothing to keep up this […]

Trivialization in the Victorian Era

Oscar Wilde trivializes serious aspects of life and makes it look like they are of lesser importance. In the fictional play, “The Importance of Being Earnest”, published in 1898, author Oscar Wilde, characters are used to make fun at the upper class and criticize their ways of life to make them look like they are of lesser importance. Oscar Wilde uses characters such as Algernon, Lady Bracknell, and Cecily to trivialize society and show how aspects of life such as […]

The Irony of being Earnest

When Oscar Wilde's play, The Importance of Being Earnest, opened in London, England, in 1895, its author was in vogue and quite prominent in the literary and social columns. “To some readers it may also have suggested - or confirmed - the impression that there was a less positive side to Wilde's notoriety” (Jackson 161). While his use of the descriptive word "earnest" in the title denotes a certain element of sincerity and honesty, Wilde cleverly employs this as a […]

Jack Worthingis a Fashionable Young Man

"Jack Worthingis a fashionable young man who lives in the country with his ward, Cecily Cardew. He has invented a rakish brother named Ernest whose supposed exploits give Jack an excuse to travel to London periodically to rescue him. Jack is in love with Gwendolen Fairfax, the cousin of his friend Algernon Moncrieff. Gwendolen, who thinks Jack’s name is Ernest, returns his love, but her mother, Lady Bracknell, objects to their marriage because Jack is an orphan who was found […]

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead

The importance of being Earnest relates to the notion that The plotline of an absurdist drama, if any exists, generally ends up where it started— nothing has been accomplished and characters are the same at the end of the play as they were at the start in the same way that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead does. While the importance of being Earnests plotline ends off where it begun with only slight changes, Earnest still being Earnest yet not fooling […]

Hypocrisy in Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde Works

"The topic I will be covering for this paper is the similarities and differences in regards to hypocrisy displayed in Charles dickens novel, “Hard times,” and Oscar Wilde’s play, “The importance of being Earnest.” Each author portrayed the impact hypocrisy could have on those involved, both indirectly and directly and the consequences of it. After reading “Hard times,” I felt that Charles Dickens view may have been more realistic and geared towards reality. Not only were the events in his […]

History : the Victorian Era

The Victorian era takes place during the reign of Queen Victoria. Looking up to her majesty and her morals, the British population at the time was greatly concerned with the expectancy to adhere to her personality traits. These traits include the following; strong ethics, responsibility, abstaining from indulgence, self-discipline, and most importantly, the aspect of honesty. Oscar Wildes’ play, “The Importance of Being Earnest” is written after the reign of Queen Victoria, during the modern era. Many people of this […]

Themes and Irony in the Importance of being Earnest

In a world where sincerity often feels like a scarce commodity, the enduring relevance of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" shines through like a beacon of authenticity amidst a sea of pretense. With its razor-sharp wit and clever satire, Wilde's masterpiece not only entertains but also provokes profound reflection on the significance of honesty and genuineness in a society often obsessed with appearances. Set against the backdrop of Victorian England, a time marked by strict social norms and […]

Plot Summary for the Importance of being Earnest

The importance of being earnest : protagonist.

In Oscar Wilde's timeless classic, "The Importance of Being Earnest," the characters take center stage in a theatrical masterpiece of wit, satire, and societal critique. Embedded within the fabric of Wilde's narrative is the concept of the protagonist, traditionally seen as the driving force behind the plot. However, Wilde skillfully subverts this conventional notion, presenting a paradox that challenges typical character archetypes. Through a fresh lens on this paradox, we embark on an exploration of the multifaceted protagonism exhibited by […]

A Study of Irony in Oscar Wilde’s the Importance of being Earnest

Oscar Wilde’s classic play, "The Importance of Being Earnest," offers a piercing examination of Victorian society through a humorous and critical lens. This enduring comedy captures the essence of social expectations, the intricacies of personal deceit, and the quest for love and personal truth. Employing sharp wit and satire, Wilde provides a profound critique of the duplicity and folly within the upper echelons of his era, all while celebrating the virtue of genuineness and sincerity in personal connections. At the […]

The Importance of being Earnest Full Play Summary

"The Heart of Earnestness," crafted by the brilliant pen of Oscar Wilde, stands as an enduring monument to the human experience, resonating through the corridors of time with its unparalleled wit, intricate plot twists, and subtle societal observations. Within its pages, Wilde deftly threads together a tapestry of existential musings and social commentary, inviting readers on a journey through the labyrinthine depths of his creation. As the curtains part, we are transported into a world of Victorian charm and duplicity, […]

Importance of being Earnest: Comparing Film and Play

"The Importance of Being Earnest," originally a play by Oscar Wilde, has delighted audiences with its satirical wit and incisive portrayal of Victorian society since its premiere in 1895. The play has been adapted into several films, each offering a unique interpretation of Wilde's text. This essay explores the 2002 film adaptation directed by Oliver Parker, comparing it to the original play to understand how the medium transition from stage to screen influences the portrayal of characters, the setting, and […]

The Importance of being Earnest Film Analysis

"The Importance of Being Earnest," directed by Oliver Parker, is a vibrant adaptation of Oscar Wilde's beloved play of the same name. The film captures the essence of Wilde's acerbic wit and satirical commentary on the Victorian society, bringing to life the play’s intricate humor and timeless themes. This essay delves into the cinematic elements that Parker employed to enhance Wilde’s narrative, exploring how the film’s direction, acting, set design, and thematic portrayal contribute to its success as both a […]

Additional Example Essays

• Victorian gender roles in The Picture of Dorian Gray
• Comparison Of Introverts VS Extroverts
• The Cask of Amontillado Literary Analysis
• Colonism in Things Fall Apart
• The short story "The Cask of Amontillado"
• Beowulf and Grendel Comparison
• The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food
• Junk Food Should be Taxed
• The Girl (Jig) Character Analysis in Hills Like White Elephants
• The Cask of Amontillado: Montresor
• Dramatic Irony in Tell-Tale Heart: Unveiling Suspense in Horror Stories
• Things Fall Apart Tragic Hero

How to Write an Essay About The Importance Of Being Earnest

Understanding 'the importance of being earnest'.

Before writing an essay about Oscar Wilde's 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' it is crucial to understand the play's context, themes, and characters. This comedic play, first performed in 1895, is known for its satire of Victorian social norms and commentary on the triviality with which society treats serious institutions like marriage. Begin your essay by outlining the plot, which revolves around the protagonists Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, who adopt fictitious identities to escape societal obligations. Discuss the main characters, including Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew, and the role they play in the narrative. Address the historical and cultural context of Victorian England, which is pivotal for understanding the play's themes, including the critique of social conventions and the concept of 'double lives.'

Developing a Thesis Statement

A strong essay on 'The Importance of Being Earnest' should be centered around a clear, concise thesis statement. This statement should present a specific viewpoint or argument about the play. For instance, you might analyze the play's treatment of hypocrisy and deception, explore its satirical take on Victorian society, or discuss the use of irony and wit in character development and dialogue. Your thesis will guide the direction of your essay and provide a structured approach to your analysis.

Gathering Textual Evidence

To support your thesis, it's essential to gather evidence from the text. This involves close reading to find relevant quotes, dialogues, and scenes that support your argument. For example, if discussing the theme of deception, identify key moments in the play that highlight the characters' use of deceit and the resulting comedic situations. Use these examples to build your argument and provide depth to your analysis.

Analyzing Wilde's Techniques and Themes

Analyze how Oscar Wilde uses literary techniques to develop the play's themes and characters. Discuss his use of wit and irony, the play’s structure, and Wilde's unique style of dialogue. For example, explore how the concept of 'bunburying' serves as a tool to critique societal norms and expectations. This analysis should demonstrate a deep understanding of the text and how Wilde communicates his critique of society.

Concluding the Essay

Conclude your essay by summarizing your main arguments and restating your thesis in light of the discussion. Your conclusion should tie together your insights into 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' emphasizing the significance of your findings. Reflect on the broader implications of the play, such as its enduring relevance and its place in the canon of English literature.

Reviewing and Refining Your Essay

After completing your essay, review and refine it for clarity and coherence. Ensure that your arguments are well-structured and supported by textual evidence. Check for grammatical accuracy and ensure that your essay flows logically from one point to the next. Consider seeking feedback from teachers or peers to help improve your essay. A well-written essay on 'The Importance of Being Earnest' will not only demonstrate your understanding of the play but also your ability to engage critically with literary texts.

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• We're Hiring!
• Help Center

A Feminist Marxist and Psychoanalytic Analysis of The Importance of Being Earnest

2023, Unveiling Layers of Wilde's Masterpiece: A Feminist, Marxist, and Psychoanalytic Analysis of "The Importance of Being Earnest”

Oscar Wilde's enduring comedic masterpiece, "The Importance of Being Earnest," initially perceived as a lighthearted farce, conceals profound layers of meaning and social commentary. This essay employs three prominent literary theories-Feminism, Marxism, and Psychoanalysis-to unravel the complexities within Wilde's work. From a Feminist perspective, the play critiques Victorian gender norms, revealing how women like Gwendolen and Cecily navigate societal constraints while exhibiting moments of agency. The Marxist lens exposes the superficiality of upper-class values, illustrating the characters' obsession with titles and lineage, and highlighting class-based exploitation. Psychoanalytic scrutiny unveils repressed desires and motivations, particularly seen in Algernon's adoption of the "Ernest" persona and the women's fixation on the name, reflecting a yearning for unconventional love. Despite societal limitations, Wilde's characters challenge norms, presenting opportunities for feminist analysis. The Marxist critique lays bare the materialistic nature of Victorian upperclass marriage, while the psychoanalytic lens delves into characters' hidden desires, providing a comprehensive understanding of societal dynamics. In conclusion, "The Importance of Being Earnest" transcends its era as a timeless masterpiece. This essay demonstrates how literature serves as a rich source for commentary on gender, class, and human psychology, inviting readers to reflect on the profound truths embedded in seemingly trivial comedies.

Related Papers

Maroof Ahmed

This paper attempts to present how reality and fiction intersect in Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest to challenge, if not subvert, social obligations and perception of identity in Victorian society. In so doing, the paper critically attempts to touch upon the concepts of duality and appearance as they possess the utmost importance for the Victorian sense of morality. The article also strives to show how Wilde undermines the basis of the truthful representation of gender identity instead of the Victorian perception of the term. In the play, as the paper argues, Wilde hints at the idea that there is a difference if we can call it a duality of identity between the appearance and what is hidden beneath. In the case of the fictional characters, they wear fake identities or imagine a view of identity to suit the public's expectations, challenging the perception of stable autonomous identity that the Victorian believed. However, the inner and outer worlds of the characters are pretty different from inside and outside, so that they constantly +vacillate in-between these identities. The paper concludes that, as Wilde hints, it is impossible to define a person fully when they display various identities simultaneously as in the modern sense.

This essay discusses how Wilde addresses the very nature of being. In repressive Victorian society, he chronicles the emergence of a self that is hidden and double and thus must exist at the margin, if not in the shadows. The result in Wilde’s private life is an identity in flux that reveals him as an identity migrant, who at one moment is the Victorian father and husband, and at another, the homosexual lover of Lord Alfred Douglas.

Modern Drama

Sarah Balkin

Oscar Wilde’s “The Portrait of Mr. W.H.” (1889) and The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) both centrally feature imaginary persons. In “The Portrait of Mr. W.H.,” Wilde’s narrator says that “all Art” is “to a certain degree a mode of acting, an attempt to realise one’s own personality.” The Importance of Being Earnest assigns actors’ bodies to the imaginary person of the title. My essay examines what it meant to realize a personality on the late-nineteenth-century stage in light of recent scholarship on character, stage properties, and materiality. I argue that – because theatre shows the constructedness of material and corporeal being, because farce renders male identity a matter of genre, and because Wilde unifies the characters’ desires under one name – The Importance of Being Earnest uniquely locates personality in a living human body.

Yakaiah Kathy

Caroline Lee

Facta Universitatis (Series Linguistics and …

Magdalena Nigoevic

Akshay Kumar Roy

Adilah Zabir

HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe)

Svetlana Bochman

RELATED PAPERS

Prakash Ghimire

Indo Nordic Authors’ Collective

Dr. Uday Dokras

Khanh nguyen van

PAUL BRANDON

Dr Martina Topić

Jurnal RSUD Pakuhaji Kabupaten Tangerang

Wendy Wright

Alphaville: Journal of Film and Screen Media

Laura Rascaroli

Dhaneshwar kashyap

Quality of Life Research

Tamara Rader

Revista Internacional de Tecnologías en la Educación

Juan González Martínez

Marcos Franco

Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Haematology

Realizing Africa's rice promise

amadou beye

ACM SIGPLAN Notices

Andrew Frank

Ronald Ferguson

Bulletin of the American Physical Society

Farhan Islam

Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy

Professor Axele Giroud

I Dewa Gede Agung Diasana Putra

JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions

Breandan Yeats

Plant Physiology

Nitin Loganathan

Integer Programming and Combinatorial Optimization

Sayan Bhattacharya

Ana šulmāni. Ancient Near Eastern Studies in Honour of Simonetta Graziani, pp. 379-392.

Licia Romano

MedEdPORTAL

Todd Cassese

IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science

Wayne Schnepple

Internationales Wirtschaftsrecht

Matthias Herdegen, Prof.Dr.

Gabler Verlag eBooks

Henrique Corrêa

Anne Giblin

Tzu-Ying Lee

RELATED TOPICS

•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2024

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Letter of Recommendation

What I’ve Learned From My Students’ College Essays

The genre is often maligned for being formulaic and melodramatic, but it’s more important than you think.

By Nell Freudenberger

Most high school seniors approach the college essay with dread. Either their upbringing hasn’t supplied them with several hundred words of adversity, or worse, they’re afraid that packaging the genuine trauma they’ve experienced is the only way to secure their future. The college counselor at the Brooklyn high school where I’m a writing tutor advises against trauma porn. “Keep it brief , ” she says, “and show how you rose above it.”

I started volunteering in New York City schools in my 20s, before I had kids of my own. At the time, I liked hanging out with teenagers, whom I sometimes had more interesting conversations with than I did my peers. Often I worked with students who spoke English as a second language or who used slang in their writing, and at first I was hung up on grammar. Should I correct any deviation from “standard English” to appeal to some Wizard of Oz behind the curtains of a college admissions office? Or should I encourage students to write the way they speak, in pursuit of an authentic voice, that most elusive of literary qualities?

In fact, I was missing the point. One of many lessons the students have taught me is to let the story dictate the voice of the essay. A few years ago, I worked with a boy who claimed to have nothing to write about. His life had been ordinary, he said; nothing had happened to him. I asked if he wanted to try writing about a family member, his favorite school subject, a summer job? He glanced at his phone, his posture and expression suggesting that he’d rather be anywhere but in front of a computer with me. “Hobbies?” I suggested, without much hope. He gave me a shy glance. “I like to box,” he said.

I’ve had this experience with reluctant writers again and again — when a topic clicks with a student, an essay can unfurl spontaneously. Of course the primary goal of a college essay is to help its author get an education that leads to a career. Changes in testing policies and financial aid have made applying to college more confusing than ever, but essays have remained basically the same. I would argue that they’re much more than an onerous task or rote exercise, and that unlike standardized tests they are infinitely variable and sometimes beautiful. College essays also provide an opportunity to learn precision, clarity and the process of working toward the truth through multiple revisions.

When a topic clicks with a student, an essay can unfurl spontaneously.

Even if writing doesn’t end up being fundamental to their future professions, students learn to choose language carefully and to be suspicious of the first words that come to mind. Especially now, as college students shoulder so much of the country’s ethical responsibility for war with their protest movement, essay writing teaches prospective students an increasingly urgent lesson: that choosing their own words over ready-made phrases is the only reliable way to ensure they’re thinking for themselves.

Teenagers are ideal writers for several reasons. They’re usually free of preconceptions about writing, and they tend not to use self-consciously ‘‘literary’’ language. They’re allergic to hypocrisy and are generally unfiltered: They overshare, ask personal questions and call you out for microaggressions as well as less egregious (but still mortifying) verbal errors, such as referring to weed as ‘‘pot.’’ Most important, they have yet to put down their best stories in a finished form.

I can imagine an essay taking a risk and distinguishing itself formally — a poem or a one-act play — but most kids use a more straightforward model: a hook followed by a narrative built around “small moments” that lead to a concluding lesson or aspiration for the future. I never get tired of working with students on these essays because each one is different, and the short, rigid form sometimes makes an emotional story even more powerful. Before I read Javier Zamora’s wrenching “Solito,” I worked with a student who had been transported by a coyote into the U.S. and was reunited with his mother in the parking lot of a big-box store. I don’t remember whether this essay focused on specific skills or coping mechanisms that he gained from his ordeal. I remember only the bliss of the parent-and-child reunion in that uninspiring setting. If I were making a case to an admissions officer, I would suggest that simply being able to convey that experience demonstrates the kind of resilience that any college should admire.

The essays that have stayed with me over the years don’t follow a pattern. There are some narratives on very predictable topics — living up to the expectations of immigrant parents, or suffering from depression in 2020 — that are moving because of the attention with which the student describes the experience. One girl determined to become an engineer while watching her father build furniture from scraps after work; a boy, grieving for his mother during lockdown, began taking pictures of the sky.

If, as Lorrie Moore said, “a short story is a love affair; a novel is a marriage,” what is a college essay? Every once in a while I sit down next to a student and start reading, and I have to suppress my excitement, because there on the Google Doc in front of me is a real writer’s voice. One of the first students I ever worked with wrote about falling in love with another girl in dance class, the absolute magic of watching her move and the terror in the conflict between her feelings and the instruction of her religious middle school. She made me think that college essays are less like love than limerence: one-sided, obsessive, idiosyncratic but profound, the first draft of the most personal story their writers will ever tell.

Nell Freudenberger’s novel “The Limits” was published by Knopf last month. She volunteers through the PEN America Writers in the Schools program.