Short analysis of Wilde's Importance of Being Earnest-
Introduction:
Oscar Wilde's play, "The Importance of Being Ernest" tells the story of two young gentlemen in London, who each live a double-life, creating elaborate deceptions in order to have some balance in their life.
Background:
This farcical comedy, often abbreviated from its full title: The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People was written and first performed at the St. James Theater in London in 1895. In this play Wilde ridicules Victorian customs and traditions, marriage and particularly the pursuit of love. The Victorian society fell in a passionate love with the idea of earnestness. The idea of living in an earnest manner was the topmost ideals of the Victorian society.
Major Characters:
Jack Worthing- Jack Worthing is a rich, young bachelor with no known family; he lives a double life.
Algernon Moncrieff- Algernon Moncrieff is a young, pleasure-seeking bachelor from a good family.
Gwendolen Fairfax- Gwendolen Fairfax is Algernon's first cousin, Lady Bracknell's daughter, and Jack's beloved.
Cecily Cardew- Cecily Cardew is Jack's beautiful 18-year-old ward.
Lady Bracknell- Lady Augusta Bracknell is Gwendolen's mother and Algernon's aunt.
Dr. Chasuble- Dr. Chasuble is a well-meaning but bumbling clergyman at the parish near Jack's country home.
Lane- Lane is Algernon's servant.
Merriman- Merriman is the butler at Jack's country home.
Miss Prism- Miss Laetitia Prism is Cecily's governess and was (unknown until the end of the play) Jack's nurse before she misplaced him when he was a baby.
Overview:
The play opens with a wealthy Algernon (Algy) is waiting for his aunt, Lady Bracknell and her daughter Gwendolen to visit him in his flat in London. Before they arrive, Jack Worthing, Algy's friend arrives. Jack calls himself 'Earnest' and Algy is curious about it. Jack clarifies that his real name is Jack Worthing and has a daughter named Cecily. He further states that he is going to propose Gwendolen. He loves being called Earnest. Algy too confesses that he visits his imaginary friend Bunbury whenever he needs a break from the hectic life of the town. He, too, employs deception when it is convenient.
Jack wants to marry Algernon’s cousin Gwendolen, but must first convince her mother. Also he is reminded that Gwendolen is interested in the name Ernest, which she says “inspires absolute confidence.” Algernon is in love with Cecily and wants to marry her. The only problem is she is in love with the name ‘Ernest’. She says is inspires confidence. This is the same thing Gwendolen said. So, Algernon decides to find the parish priest, Dr. Chasuble, and have him baptize him Ernest. Meanwhile, Gwendolen arrives and meets Cecily. They both discover they are engaged to Ernest. But, when the two men arrive, they also learn they were lied to. Neither man in named Ernest.
After much consternation, the two women decide the two men only lied to gain their affection and forgive them. But, before the story progresses much further, Lady Bracknell arrives. She still insists Gwendolen can’t marry Jack. No matter what his name is, his background won’t do. Then she meets Cecily and is impressed with her lineage. She approves of the match between Algernon and Cecily. Jack refuses to allow the match, unless Lady Bracknell allows his and Gwendolen’s. She still disapproves, and is about to drag Gwendolen away when Dr. Chasuble arrives. He mentions Cecily’s governess, Miss Prism.
As soon as Lady Bracknell sees Miss Prism she accuses her of stealing her sister’s baby 28 years earlier. Miss Prism says it was an accident. She had placed the baby in a handbag and set it down in Victoria’s station. Jack brings out the handbag he was found in and confirms it was the same. They all discover he is Lady Bracknell’s nephew, quite respectable and christened Ernest John, and Algernon is his younger brother. Jack now truly is earnest, and he realizes the importance of being earnest.
Introduction:
Oscar Wilde's play, "The Importance of Being Ernest" tells the story of two young gentlemen in London, who each live a double-life, creating elaborate deceptions in order to have some balance in their life.
Background:
This farcical comedy, often abbreviated from its full title: The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People was written and first performed at the St. James Theater in London in 1895. In this play Wilde ridicules Victorian customs and traditions, marriage and particularly the pursuit of love. The Victorian society fell in a passionate love with the idea of earnestness. The idea of living in an earnest manner was the topmost ideals of the Victorian society.
Major Characters:
Jack Worthing- Jack Worthing is a rich, young bachelor with no known family; he lives a double life.
Algernon Moncrieff- Algernon Moncrieff is a young, pleasure-seeking bachelor from a good family.
Gwendolen Fairfax- Gwendolen Fairfax is Algernon's first cousin, Lady Bracknell's daughter, and Jack's beloved.
Cecily Cardew- Cecily Cardew is Jack's beautiful 18-year-old ward.
Lady Bracknell- Lady Augusta Bracknell is Gwendolen's mother and Algernon's aunt.
Dr. Chasuble- Dr. Chasuble is a well-meaning but bumbling clergyman at the parish near Jack's country home.
Lane- Lane is Algernon's servant.
Merriman- Merriman is the butler at Jack's country home.
Miss Prism- Miss Laetitia Prism is Cecily's governess and was (unknown until the end of the play) Jack's nurse before she misplaced him when he was a baby.
Overview:
The play opens with a wealthy Algernon (Algy) is waiting for his aunt, Lady Bracknell and her daughter Gwendolen to visit him in his flat in London. Before they arrive, Jack Worthing, Algy's friend arrives. Jack calls himself 'Earnest' and Algy is curious about it. Jack clarifies that his real name is Jack Worthing and has a daughter named Cecily. He further states that he is going to propose Gwendolen. He loves being called Earnest. Algy too confesses that he visits his imaginary friend Bunbury whenever he needs a break from the hectic life of the town. He, too, employs deception when it is convenient.
Jack wants to marry Algernon’s cousin Gwendolen, but must first convince her mother. Also he is reminded that Gwendolen is interested in the name Ernest, which she says “inspires absolute confidence.” Algernon is in love with Cecily and wants to marry her. The only problem is she is in love with the name ‘Ernest’. She says is inspires confidence. This is the same thing Gwendolen said. So, Algernon decides to find the parish priest, Dr. Chasuble, and have him baptize him Ernest. Meanwhile, Gwendolen arrives and meets Cecily. They both discover they are engaged to Ernest. But, when the two men arrive, they also learn they were lied to. Neither man in named Ernest.
After much consternation, the two women decide the two men only lied to gain their affection and forgive them. But, before the story progresses much further, Lady Bracknell arrives. She still insists Gwendolen can’t marry Jack. No matter what his name is, his background won’t do. Then she meets Cecily and is impressed with her lineage. She approves of the match between Algernon and Cecily. Jack refuses to allow the match, unless Lady Bracknell allows his and Gwendolen’s. She still disapproves, and is about to drag Gwendolen away when Dr. Chasuble arrives. He mentions Cecily’s governess, Miss Prism.
As soon as Lady Bracknell sees Miss Prism she accuses her of stealing her sister’s baby 28 years earlier. Miss Prism says it was an accident. She had placed the baby in a handbag and set it down in Victoria’s station. Jack brings out the handbag he was found in and confirms it was the same. They all discover he is Lady Bracknell’s nephew, quite respectable and christened Ernest John, and Algernon is his younger brother. Jack now truly is earnest, and he realizes the importance of being earnest.
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