The Importance of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde
The Importance of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde (1854 -1900)
The Importance of Being Earnest n n n n Written in 1895 A Comedy in 3 Acts Is a satire Immediate hit when first performed Criticizes Victorian moral and social values Bridges Victorian period/literature with Modern Uses wit, puns, exaggeration, and wordplay to create humor
Importance of Being Earnest n The title of the play is a pun. n To be “earnest” means to be serious, and the main character (John/Jack) uses the name “Earnest” when he is in the city n “Bunburying” is using an alias to “get away with” avoiding social obligatioins
Main Characters n n John Worthing, aka “Jack”, aka “Earnest” Algernon Montcrief, Jack’s friend Lane, the butler for Algernon Rev. Chausible, the preacher in the country n n Lady Bracknell, mother of Gwendolyn, wants to marry a man named “Earnest” Cecily, Jack’s ward Miss Prism, Cecily’s governess
Settings Time: Around 1890 n Place(s): London (“the City”) Jack’s House in the Country (a very large estate) The village church n
Settings n Jack’s Country House
Settings n Jack’s Drawing Room
Settings n Lady Bracknell’s mansion in London
Victorian Period Named for Queen Victoria of England n Was Queen from 1837 -1901 n Followed the reign of “Mad” King George n The culture was very moral and serious n Women were expected to be the “angel in the house” - to take care of their husband family n
Victorian Period Manners were supremely important n English society was divided into classes n The Upper-class was well-educated, came from a rich and respected family (“old money”), and having good manners mattered more than anything else n Considered bad manners to flaunt wealth n
Victorian Period n n Young women were always chaperoned until they were married Women’s clothing covered them from neck to ankle; clothes had to be modest In the upper classes, people with a bad reputation were outcasts no matter how much money they had Good manners were extremely important
Victorian Fashion n For the Gentlemen
Victorian Fashion n For the Ladies
Victorian Period People did not just “drop in” to visit - they made formal appointments n Refreshments were expected when visitors came to “call” (visit) - usually tea and cake or tiny, elegant cucumber sandwiches n Men were expected to be well-educated n Women were expected to marry well n
Oscar Wilde - Author n n n Born in Ireland; lived in England abroad Attended Trinity College in Ireland Oxford University in England Very witty and funny Believed in the value of “art for art’s sake” - art (literature) should not be concerned with political issues Came from upper-class family “Bad Boy” of his time - The ‘Lil Wayne’ of his day (but well-educated)
Oscar Wilde n n With other writers and artists, rebelled against the prim, moral, religious culture of Victorian England Was known to be wild, flamboyant, witty Although homosexual, married and had children Being homosexual was illegal, and he served time in prison for it
Literary Vocabulary Comedy - light-hearted literature with humor and a happy ending n Satire - literary writing that makes fun of or criticizes the faults of people or groups. Purpose is to point out flaws n Wit - using words to be clever and funny with language n Pun - a play on words n
Literary Vocabulary n n n Protagonist - the main character Foil - the character who contrasts the main character (the foil “reflects” the traits of the main character) Blocking figure - A character, often old and cranky, who interferes with the romantic desires or the other main characters and provides comic action
Literary Vocabulary n Motif - a recurring character or element repeated in a literary work. Food is a motif in The Importance of Being Earnest
Satire and Farce n Satire—using exaggeration to help humor make people laugh at their own weaknesses n Farce--a comedy which aims to entertain the audience by means of unlikely, extravagant, and improbable situations, disguise and mistaken identity, verbal humor of varying degrees of sophistication
Four Main Topics Satirized 1. Class 2. Marriage / love
Four Main Topics Satirized 3. Art 4. Truth
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