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The Importance of Being Earnest
46 pages, 1895
In the entire Wilde canon, no play better exemplifies the author’s art-for-art’s-sake stand than The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People. The play is completely trivial, revolving around the fact that Jack Worthing, who loves Gwendolen Fairfax, cannot marry her, initially because Algernon Moncrieff, her cousin, refuses to sanction the marriage until Worthing resolves the mystery of Cecily, about whom Algernon knows because of an inscription on Worthing’s cigarette case.
Worthing reveals that Mr. Cardew, who adopted him after he had been found in a handbag in the parcel room at Victoria Station, appointed him guardian of Cardew’s granddaughter, Cecily Cardew, who always knew him as Uncle Jack. For Cecily’s benefit, Jack has maintained an air of moral restraint in her presence.
To escape from this atmosphere, he has assumed, during his frequent visits to London, the name and generally reprobate behavior of an imaginary brother named Ernest. Worthing’s love for Gwendolen is complicated by the fact that Gwendolen cannot love any man who is not named Ernest.
Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest explores the importance of honesty. The characters often find themselves in sticky situations due to their lies and deceit. Wilde shows us that truth, no matter how uncomfortable, is always the best policy.
Wilde uses humor and wit to critique the Victorian society he lived in. He pokes fun at their obsession with social status and manners, encouraging us to question our own societal norms and values.
The book encourages us to embrace our true selves. The characters in the book often pretend to be someone they're not, leading to confusion and chaos. Wilde reminds us that being true to ourselves is the key to happiness.
Take a look at how Wilde portrays love and marriage in the book. He presents them in a humorous and often cynical way, prompting us to reflect on our own views on these topics.
Wilde's clever use of language, puns, and irony not only makes the book entertaining but also thought-provoking. It's a great example of how humor can be used to convey deeper messages and critiques.
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The Importance of Being Earnest is a masterpiece of comedic artistry, a testament to Wilde's genius.
George Bernard Shaw - Playwright, criticWilde's play is a brilliant, sparkling gem, a testament to the power of wit and humor.
Virginia Woolf - Novelist, essayistThe Importance of Being Earnest is a work of art, a testament to Wilde's mastery of language and wit.
T.S. Eliot - Poet, essayistWilde's play is a triumph of wit and style, a testament to his genius and creativity.
Harold Bloom - Literary critic