Title of Work: The Importance of Being Earnest Author: Oscar Wilde Date of Publication: 1895 Genre: Social satire/Drama/comedy in mannerisms Writing Style: Epigrams, puns, repetition Point of View: third person omniscient Setting/ Atmosphere: London, England, ends in country side, Hertfordshire Plot Development: Act l: Jack visits Algy in city, he’s in love with Gwendolen (Algy’s cousin), Algy brings up cigarette case, Jack reveals his true identity , tells who Cecily is, Algy like cesily Just from the mention o her. Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen visit, Jack proposes,
Gwendolen feels same way, feels that Earnest gives off good vibrations while Jack does not. Lady Bracknell interviews Jack to see if he is acceptable to marry her daughter, finds his unsatisfactory since he was found in a hand bag as a baby with no parents. Act II: Algy goes to Jack’s country house as Jack’s “brother” Earnest, Jack is unaware. Jack comes home unexpectedly, announces that Earnest is dead, finds out Algy’s there, Algy proposes to Cecily, finds out Cecily made up a romance between them, has their whole story in her diary.
Cecily says it’s her dream to marry a man amed Earnest, Algy and Jack want to get christened by name of Earnest, Gwendolen visits, meets Cecily, think they are both engaged to the same person, Earnest. Algy and Jack come back and Cecily and Gwendolen find out their true identities. Act Ill: Drawing room, Cecily & Gwendolen confront Jack & Algy about having fake identity, Algy says he did it to meet Cecily.
Algy & Jack say they are to be christened this afternoon, Cecily & Gwendolen forgive them, Lady Bracknell arrives, Gwendolen says she is to marry Jack, Lady Bracknell says no, Algy tells her he’s marrying Cecily, she pproves, Jack won’t allow them to marry unless Gwendolen and him can marry, Lady Bracknell declines, Lady Bracknell hears of Miss Prism and has her summoned, accuses Miss Prism of taking baby and not coming back, find out that Jack was the baby she took and lost, Jack finds out his real name is actually Earnest Characters: Jack(Earnest) Worthing: protagonist, 29 years old, friend of Algernon, double life, Jack in country, earnest in city, loves Gwendolen, Cecily CardewHack’s ward, found/ adopted by Cecily’s grandfather in a handbag Algernon(Bunbury/Earnest): Charming riend of Jack, Lady Bracknell’s nephew, Gwedolen’s cousin, witty, selfish, Bunbury’=second identity, bunbury is always sick, pretends to be Jack’s brother Earnest to meet Cecily Gwendolen Fairfax: Lady bracknell’s daughter, Algernon’s cousin, wants to marry someone of name Earnest, Cecily Cardew: Ward of Jack, also wants to marry someone named Earnest, loves Earnest(Algernon) Lady Bracknell/Aunt Augusta: Gwendolen’s haughty,snobby,pompous mom, Algernon’s aunt, obsessed with high culture,society Miss Prism: takes care of Cecily, governess, likes Chasuble Chasuble: Jack’s estate rector, likes Miss Prism, Jack/Algy come to him for christening Lane: Algy’s servant Merriman: Jack’s butler for country home Symbols: Bunburying: represents false responsibility, Jack use it to seem responsible, but actually use it to have fun & get away Christening: both Jack want to change name to Earnest to fulfill dream of Gwendolen & Cecily Food: symbolizes conflict, Algy eats all cucumber sandwiches, Cecily gives Gwendolen wrong tea snacks, Algy & Jack argue over eating muffins Abandonment of duty: Jack & Algy use bunburying to get away
Trom wnat tney are responslDle Tor MotlTs??? Puns: play on words, Earnest Is pun, representing sincerity, and also a name Epigrams: witty statement, many to show frivolity of upper class Themes: Personality traits accompany names: Both Gwendolen & Cecily want to marry someone by name of Earnest, think it represents sincerity & confidence Nature of Marriage: treated with seriousness, act of business, not social or emotional contract Significance of Title: title is ironic, saying that being Earnest(sincere & serious) is important, nobody from aristocracy was serious, more rivial Significant Quotations: JACK: mfou don’t think there is any chance of Gwendolen becoming like her mother in about a hundred and fifty years, do you, Algy? ” ALGERNON: “All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his. (act l) foreshadowing that Gwen does in a way resemble her mother later on. Both are over bearing, ruthless, obsessive, and share the same way of thinking. LADY BRACKNELL:”My nephew, you seem to be displaying signs of triviality. JACK:”On the contrary, Aunt Augusta, IVe now realized for the first time in my life the vital Importance of Being Earnest. act Ill) triviality = lack of seriousness, earnest= serious, Jack was ready to be more serious with his life. And all good things come to those with the name Earnest. GWENDOLEN:”Well, to speak with perfect candour, Cecily, I wish that you were fully forty-two, and more than usually plain for your age. ” this quote shows off her Jealous, anxious side. To wish ugliness on someone. Holistic Interpretation: Oscar Wilde showcases the frivolity and foolishness of the elite and exposes the trivialities of Victorian society through satire while criticizing particular mannerisms in a light and witty style.
