In Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, the characters often engage in quick, witty remarks towards one another. Yet beneath their comic front, these characters’ words subtly challenge the reality we think we live in, demanding the we see beyond what we have come to accept. When Lady Bracknell asks Algernon how he has been behaving and Algernon replies he has been feeling well, Lady Bracknell remarks, “that’s not quite the same thing. In fact the two things rarely go together” creating…
Writing Task The use of satirical humor in “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde Throughout the play, Oscar Wilde uses satirical humor to ridicule and deride the members of the Victorian aristocracy. Wilde criticizes certain aspects of society, mocking social conventions such as marriage. This can be seen in the play when Jacks confides to Algernon that he is in love with Gwendolen and that he has come to town to propose to her, and Algernon replies that he thought that Jack…
If a film has few changes made to it from its original text then it can be considered close to the original text, yet if there are many changes than it may just be based loosely on the original. Oliver Parker’s film adaptation of The Importance of Being Earnest is one which would be considered a loose interpretation of the original text due to its changes in the sequence of events, condensation of dialogue and exclusion of certain conversations in order to fit Parker’s vision and the…
In the play “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde, witticism is used in characterization and in the satire of the Victorian Aristocracy. Characterization is used to describe characters and their personalities. Witticism, a literary tone, is used as a cleverly witty and often biting or ironic remark. Satire, a literary tone, is used to ridicule or make fun of human vice or weakness, often with the intent of correcting or changing, the subject. When you read the title of the literary…
In The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde describes the satire of Victorian attitudes about marriage. Lady Bracknell, a foremost symbol of Victorian society, wants to marry her daughter Gwendolen to a good family with a respectable and noble pedigree. Jack Worthing, the protagonist, wants to marry Gwendolen, the love of his life. The Cross- examination of Jack by Lady Bracknell depicts some of the foibles and hypocrisies of late Victorian society, in which the relationships were not based…
In the novel, The Importance of Being Earnest Oscar Wilde, Wilde criticizes many aspects of the Victorian lifestyle. The constant criticism in the comedy is present through constant witty remarks and absurdity throughout the play. One aspect of the Victorian lifestyle that Wilde refers to frequently is writing and writers. Wilde conveys the message by using diaries and three volume novels frequently throughout the play that those individuals have dreams and secrets that they find dear to them,…
Student name Professor Course Date The Importance of Being Earnest: Honesty vs. Lies “The Importance of Being Ernest” by Oscar Wilde was first played in 1895 at the St James’s Theatre in London. The major theme that the play revolves around is trivial notions that critical institutions like marriages are being shown. In other words, it was a satire of the Victorian ways. The play is a farcical comedy, and the protagonists of the play employ made-up personalities to escape their lives. The lies…
Frog Prince put on by Missoula Children’s Theatre. Though I still knew virtually nothing about theatre, there was no doubt in my mind that I had to do it more. And that I did. I have chosen to write about Oscar Wilde’s famous play The Importance of Being Earnest. This play is near and dear to my heart because I was in a production of the show in 2014 at my community theatre, the Barrow-Civic…
Zahwa Ezzelden Prof. Forman 12/01/2017 Gender Queer Theories In the short drama “The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde”, the story takes place in the Victorian Era. In the Victorian Era, it was very common for the Male to be in charge, and the one with the higher classes, versus the female, where the female is usually the one that would stay home, cook and clean and be the modest one. Oscar Wilde took a spin on the “proper” gender roles that are appropriate for that Era and he made…
Oscar Wilde is well known for the satire involved within his plays. The Importance of Being Earnest is not an exception to this. Wilde created a brilliant comedy that mocked different aspects of the Victorian lifestyle and unrealistic ideals. Part of the brilliance within this satirical piece is that Wilde mocked the very people that constructed his audience. While the play may be mocking of its own audience, it also draws them in by creating a relatable unrealistic world. In order to…