The Importance of Being Earnest: A Sparkling Comedy of Manners by Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde (1854-1900): The Importance of Being Earnest (1895)
Social Critique Through Aestheticism
Oscar Wilde’s achievements as a playwright, essayist, and aesthete went beyond mere censure of the Victorian period. He crafted a new and potent form of social critique, challenging mid-Victorian values in life and art. His poems and plays, advocating for aestheticism, deftly provoked responses to societal differences.
Rather than focusing on real people, Wilde populated his works with fictional characters who further fictionalized their identities. He consistently questioned institutions, moral imperatives, and social clichés, rarely accepting things at face value. His primary technique for eliciting laughter was through social and linguistic incongruity, cleverly parodying the formulaic and melodramatic conventions of Victorian theatre.
The Importance of Being Earnest: A Sparkling Comedy
Considered Wilde’s masterpiece, “The Importance of Being Earnest” is a witty and lighthearted play exploring social follies within high society. Written in late 1894, it is lighter in tone than his earlier comedies, foreshadowing the self-conscious decadence found in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” and his drama “Salomé.”
Wilde described the play as “exquisitely trivial, a delicate bubble of fancy,” yet containing a philosophy: “that we should treat all the trivial things of life seriously, and all the serious things of life with sincere and studied triviality.”
Switched Identities and Bunburying
The play revolves around the theme of switched identities. The two protagonists, John Worthing (preferring to be called Jack) and Algernon Moncrieff (Algy), are fashionable young gentlemen who engage in “bunburying”—maintaining alternative personas in the city and country to escape Victorian social codes. John fabricates a brother named Ernest, while Algernon pretends to be this fictitious Ernest in town. Wilde cleverly questions the level of control these men have over their invented public and private identities.
Characters and Stereotypes
The play features Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew, two ladies courted by these snobbish characters. Gwendolen, embodying a city woman’s perspective, famously declares she never travels without her diary, needing “something sensational to read on the train.” Cecily, representing a stereotypical country woman, appreciates nature and tranquility, finding the city dull. All the characters readily lie as easily as they tell the truth, their deceptions often revealing deeper truths.
Unraveling the Farce
Despite the emphasis on disguise, the play’s plot hinges on discovery. Jack’s true identity is gradually revealed, confirming him as Ernest and, surprisingly, Algernon’s older brother. Jack’s orphan status adds another layer of absurdity—he was found in a handbag in a cloakroom at Victoria Station, mistakenly switched with a manuscript by a forgetful novelist.
Elements of Romantic Comedy
- Two couples follow the classic “boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back” pattern.
- A humorous subplot involving Miss Prism and Dr. Chasuble provides comic relief.
- Confusion about identities and the practice of “bunburying” drive the plot.
- Obstacles, such as Lady Bracknell’s disapproval and Jack’s guardianship of Cecily, hinder the relationships.
- The chaotic misunderstandings are ultimately resolved, leading to a happy ending for both couples.
Elements of Farce
- Improbable situations and stereotyped characters, like the overbearing Lady Bracknell and the contrasting personalities of Gwendolen and Cecily, create humor.
- Physical humor, absurdity, and nonsense abound.
- The constant presence of food, particularly sandwiches and bread and butter, adds to the farcical nature.
- Characters, especially Algernon, evade moral responsibility and refuse to take anything seriously.
Language and Humor
- Wilde employs double meanings, such as the play on “Ernest” and “earnest,” to create witty wordplay.
- Epigrams and satirical phrases expose the hypocrisy of Victorian society.
- The inversion of moral and social standards, with silly things said with utmost seriousness, generates humor and social commentary.
Salomé: A Tragedy of Desire
While “The Importance of Being Earnest” is a comedy, Wilde also explored darker themes in his tragedy “Salomé.”
- Salomé, the daughter of Herod and Herodias, develops a dangerous infatuation with John the Baptist, who is imprisoned.
- Her romantic obsession is unrequited, leading to her irritation and frustration.
- Herod, Salomé’s stepfather, lusts after her, creating a disturbing dynamic.
- Salomé performs the Dance of the Seven Veils, demanding John the Baptist’s head as a reward, much to her mother’s dismay.
- Herod reluctantly orders John’s execution.
- The play culminates in a shocking and tragic ending as Salomé kisses the severed head and Herod, horrified, orders her death.
Modern Theatre Influences
Wilde’s works, particularly “The Importance of Being Earnest,” exhibit traits of the Theatre of the Absurd, a genre that emerged in the mid-20th century:
- The play lacks a traditional exposition, throwing the audience directly into the action without background information on the characters.
- The characters’ inability to communicate effectively is a central theme, their dialogues often filled with misunderstandings and non-sequiturs.
- Language is used to highlight the breakdown of communication, with characters speaking at cross-purposes and struggling to express themselves meaningfully.
Oscar Wilde’s enduring legacy lies in his ability to entertain and provoke, using wit and satire to expose the absurdities of his time. His plays continue to resonate with audiences today, reminding us of the importance of laughter, the complexities of identity, and the timeless relevance of social commentary.