The Importance of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde

Setting  Victorian England (Late 19 th Century)  Two Settings:  London (City)  Hertfordshire (Country)  Victorian England (Late 19 th Century)  Two Settings:  London (City)  Hertfordshire (Country)

Satire and Parody  Wilde is commenting on the folly of the high society rules and convictions  Uses similar characters to comment on the obsessions and flaws of the upper class society, not the characters themselves.  The Title: “Earnest” means honest. In this play, almost no one is actually honest or cares about telling the truth.  Wilde is commenting on the folly of the high society rules and convictions  Uses similar characters to comment on the obsessions and flaws of the upper class society, not the characters themselves.  The Title: “Earnest” means honest. In this play, almost no one is actually honest or cares about telling the truth.

Marriage  Marriage was for gain: Based on family, class, and wealth  Permissible to marry cousins: Guaranteed good family history, keep the bloodlines pure  Marriage was for gain: Based on family, class, and wealth  Permissible to marry cousins: Guaranteed good family history, keep the bloodlines pure

Characters  Jack Worthing: A wealthy, upper-class bachelor who leads a double life. One is of a socialite who enjoys partying in the city while the other is a caretaker of his ward, Cecily. While Jack is dishonest and enjoys having a good time, he is still serious and concerned about what is proper and keeping up an appearance of respectability.  Algernon Moncrieff: Another wealthy, upper-class bachelor who also leads a double life in both the city and the country. While Algernon is similar to Jack, he is more free-spirited and fun. He has a whimsical outlook on life and makes a game out of everything. He is seen as a dandy (A man concerned with his appearance and fashion).  Jack Worthing: A wealthy, upper-class bachelor who leads a double life. One is of a socialite who enjoys partying in the city while the other is a caretaker of his ward, Cecily. While Jack is dishonest and enjoys having a good time, he is still serious and concerned about what is proper and keeping up an appearance of respectability.  Algernon Moncrieff: Another wealthy, upper-class bachelor who also leads a double life in both the city and the country. While Algernon is similar to Jack, he is more free-spirited and fun. He has a whimsical outlook on life and makes a game out of everything. He is seen as a dandy (A man concerned with his appearance and fashion).

 Gwendolen Fairfax: A polished and wealthy city girl. She is intelligent and opinionated and wants things to unfold in a specific design. Ready to fight for what she wants and sees herself as superior to Cecily, since she is from the city. Concerned with marrying a man named Ernest. She is Lady Brucknell’s daughter.  Cecily Cardew: A whimsical dreamer. She keeps a diary of fantastic, imagined scenarios. She is from the country so she enjoys being in the garden with her flowers. She attempts to remain innocent and avoids being educated. She is the ward of Jack Worthing, due her being the granddaughter of his adoptive father.  Gwendolen Fairfax: A polished and wealthy city girl. She is intelligent and opinionated and wants things to unfold in a specific design. Ready to fight for what she wants and sees herself as superior to Cecily, since she is from the city. Concerned with marrying a man named Ernest. She is Lady Brucknell’s daughter.  Cecily Cardew: A whimsical dreamer. She keeps a diary of fantastic, imagined scenarios. She is from the country so she enjoys being in the garden with her flowers. She attempts to remain innocent and avoids being educated. She is the ward of Jack Worthing, due her being the granddaughter of his adoptive father.

 Lady Bracknell: The lone character without a mirror image. She is forceful and embodies the power and opinions of Victorian Society. She stands in the way of Jack marrying Gwendolen due to his lack of a proper family, regardless of his wealth and reputation.

 Dr. Chausable: Slight fault in the religious figure. Proper and hides his flirtations, which mirrors Ms. Prism.  Miss Prism: The unmarried governess to Cecily. She uses her job as her role in society. She is infatuated with the reverend.  Lane and Merriman: Butlers for Algernon & Jack. They are used as comic relief, ending dramatic tension, and portraying their knowledge of roles in the Victorian Society.  Dr. Chausable: Slight fault in the religious figure. Proper and hides his flirtations, which mirrors Ms. Prism.  Miss Prism: The unmarried governess to Cecily. She uses her job as her role in society. She is infatuated with the reverend.  Lane and Merriman: Butlers for Algernon & Jack. They are used as comic relief, ending dramatic tension, and portraying their knowledge of roles in the Victorian Society.