1. The importance of Being earnest
By Oscar Wilde

2. “Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about.”
—Oscar Wilde

3. background
Satire
Oscar Wilde liked to make fun of upper-class Victorian society.
In this play he pokes fun at
strict Victorian social rules
the shallowness of the idle rich

4. What is satire? Humor for the intelligent…Will you get it?
One of the oldest forms of literature and one of the most durable
A constructive art that seeks not merely to destroy but to rebuild; aim is to inspire reform
humor + criticism = inspired reform

5. What is Satire? Actually very conservative
Cherishes a sound society, good traditions, and wise, viable institutions
Values the general welfare and the public good
Audience is reasonably intelligent, educated and rational
–No point in appealing to fools, they won’t get it

6. Satire vs. Sarcasm
Satire – blend of criticism and humor for the purposes of CORRECTION OR IMPROVEMENT
Sarcasm– simple abuse consisting of a series of insults

7. Three Golden Satire questions
1. What institutions, practices, and/or groups are being satirized?
2. What method(s) does the author employ in constructing his satire?
3. What is the tone of the satire?

8. What institutions, practices, and/institutions, practices, or groups are being satirized?
1. A group or organization
2. Individuals
3. A “sort” or type of person
4. A social class
5. A prevailing philosophy
6. Social manners
7. Modern progress
8. Mankind

9. What method(s) does author employ in constructing his satire?
Parody
Irony
Mock--epic
Travesty
Allegory
Burlesque
Lampoon
Caricature
Epigram
Fable

10. What is the tone of the satire?
Horatian – this form aims to correct
through broad laughter
– cheerful
– urbane
– tongue--in--cheek
– optimistic
– warm
– witty
– gentle
– chiding

11. What is the tone of the satire?
Juvenalian – this form aims to reform
through mocking ridicule
– cutting
– bitter
– angry
– contemptuous
– grim
– sardonic
– harsh
– indignant

12. Satire and POV
Often employs a special kind of narrator called a mask or persona
–This is the character through whom the action is observed or related
–NOT NORMALLY TO BE CONSTRUED AS THE AUTHOR’S VOICE
–Often has the presence of a character that serves as the “norm” or the standard against which we measure the other characters

13. Satire and pov Formal & Direct Informal & Indirect
Satiric voice speaks in first person
Informal & Indirect
Characters themselves reveal their folly & ridiculousness through their own actions,, words and thoughts

14. Background Wilde also pokes a bit of fun at himself.
Like Wilde, Algernon
and Jack are dandies.

15. background
In Victorian times only men could be dandies. An authentic dandy:
enjoyed fine clothes and expensive
habits
used refined language
spent most of his time socializing
lived to have fun

16. background
A well-bred Victorian woman, on the other hand, was modest and reserved.
Few kinds of enjoyment were open to her outside the home.
Moreover, to achieve the fashionable 18- to 20-inch waist, her corset often was so tight that she could barely breathe!

17. Characters Jack Worthing Algernon Moncrieff Protagonist
Lives in the country and travels to the city
Creates a pseudo persona by the name of Ernest
Ernest is Jack’s “brother” who lives in the city and has a wild streak
Guardian of Cecily
Algernon Moncrieff
Lives in the city
Cousin to Gwendolyn and nephew to Lady Bracknell
Creates a pseudo persona by the name of Bunbury who lives in the country
Later uses the pseudonym Ernest

18. Characters Gwendolyn Fairfax Cecily Cardew Lives in the city
Daughter of Lady Bracknell
Engaged to “Ernest” aka Jack
Cecily Cardew
Lives in the country
Ward to Jack
Infatuated with Jack’s brother, Ernest, though she has never met him
Creates an imaginary engagement to Ernest

19. Characters Lady Bracknell Miss Prism Chausible Lane Lives in the city
Mother to Gwendolyn
Aunt to Alergnon
Miss Prism
Cecily’s governess/private teacher
Chausible
Local reverend in the country
Lane
Algernon’s butler

20. themes
Social class
Marriage
Being Earnest
Hypocrisy