Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

The Importance of Being Earnest

1. Difference Between the Subtitles

Introduction: Oscar Wilde’s play, The Importance of Being Earnest, underwent a subtitle change from “A Serious Comedy for Trivial People” to “A Trivial Comedy for Serious People.” This change is significant and reflects Wilde’s satirical approach.

“A Serious Comedy for Trivial People”: This original subtitle suggests that the play is a serious piece of work intended for people who are concerned with trivial matters. It implies a critique of the audience, suggesting that they are preoccupied with insignificant issues.

“A Trivial Comedy for Serious People”: The revised subtitle flips this idea, indicating that the play itself is light-hearted and frivolous, but it is meant for people who take life seriously. This version is more in line with Wilde’s satirical style, as it pokes fun at the seriousness with which Victorian society approached trivial social norms and customs.

Conclusion: The change in subtitle better captures the essence of Wilde’s satire, highlighting the absurdity of taking trivial matters too seriously and inviting the audience to laugh at their own societal norms.

2. Most Attractive Female Character

Introduction: Among the female characters in The Importance of Being Earnest—Lady Augusta Bracknell, Gwendolen Fairfax, Cecily Cardew, and Miss Prism—each has unique traits that contribute to the play’s humor and social commentary.

Lady Augusta Bracknell: She is a formidable and authoritative figure, representing the rigid Victorian social hierarchy. Her sharp wit and commanding presence make her memorable, but her obsession with social status can be off-putting.

Gwendolen Fairfax: Gwendolen is sophisticated and determined, with a strong sense of what she wants. Her fixation on the name “Ernest” adds to the play’s comedic elements, but her character can seem superficial.

Cecily Cardew: Cecily is imaginative and romantic, with a youthful innocence that contrasts with the other characters. Her diary and fantasies about “Ernest” add depth to her character, making her endearing and charming.

Miss Prism: As a governess, Miss Prism is more grounded and practical. Her secret past and involvement in the plot’s twists add intrigue to her character.

Conclusion: Cecily Cardew stands out as the most attractive character due to her innocence, romantic imagination, and the charm she brings to the play. Her youthful perspective and whimsical nature provide a refreshing contrast to the more serious and status-conscious characters.

3. Mocking Victorian Traditions and Social Customs

Introduction: The Importance of Being Earnest is a satire that mocks Victorian traditions and social customs, particularly marriage and the pursuit of love.

Marriage: The play portrays marriage as a social contract rather than a romantic union. Lady Bracknell’s interrogation of Jack about his financial and social status before approving his engagement to Gwendolen exemplifies this. Her focus on wealth and lineage highlights the superficial nature of Victorian marriage.

Pursuit of Love: The characters’ romantic pursuits are often based on trivial reasons. Gwendolen and Cecily’s obsession with the name “Ernest” shows how superficial their affections are. Jack and Algernon’s creation of fictitious identities to escape social obligations further mocks the seriousness with which Victorian society approached love and relationships.

Social Customs: The play’s dialogue is filled with witty remarks that expose the hypocrisy and absurdity of social customs. For example, Algernon’s concept of “Bunburying”—creating an imaginary friend to escape social duties—satirizes the lengths to which people go to avoid societal expectations.

Conclusion: Through characters like Lady Bracknell, Gwendolen, Cecily, and Algernon, Wilde effectively mocks the Victorian emphasis on social status, the superficiality of romantic pursuits, and the rigid customs that governed society.

4. Queer Themes in the Play

Introduction: Some scholars argue that The Importance of Being Earnest reflects Oscar Wilde’s own experiences with duplicity and ambivalence, particularly regarding his homosexuality.

Duplicity and Ambivalence: The play’s central theme of leading double lives can be seen as a metaphor for Wilde’s own life. 

Jack and Algernon’s creation of alternate identities to escape societal pressures mirrors the secret lives many homosexual men led during the repressive Victorian era.

Homosexual Desire: The play’s witty dialogue and subtext often hint at a deeper, unspoken layer of desire. For example, the close relationship between Jack and Algernon, and their playful banter, can be interpreted as having homoerotic undertones.

Social Commentary: Wilde’s critique of Victorian norms extends to the rigid moral codes that condemned homosexuality. By presenting characters who flout societal expectations and live double lives, Wilde subtly challenges the audience to question the validity of these norms.

Conclusion: Agreeing with the scholars’ observation, the themes of duplicity and ambivalence in The Importance of Being Earnest do reflect Wilde’s own struggles with his sexuality. The play’s subtext and character dynamics suggest a “flickering presence-absence” of homosexual desire, making it a nuanced critique of Victorian society’s hypocrisy.