Abstract This paper discusses the comical and farcical nature of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest." The paper suggests that the interpretation of the play may itself often be as ambiguous as the play since there are many ways to look at it. It then goes on to describe many instances in the play when this multiplicity is evident. The paper concludes that not only the characters exist on many different levels, but the entire plot appears to be surrounded by plurality of meaning.
From the Paper "It is highly enthralling to see the various forms and images of Ernest and how each character attaches certain significance of the character. In give great importance to someone being Ernest yet they have no clear idea who or how the person really is. For Algernon Moncrieff, Ernest is no one else but his friend Jack Worthing: "You have always told me that [your name] was Ernest. I have introduced you to every one as Ernest. You answer to the name of Ernest. You look as if your name was Ernest. You are the most earnest-looking person I ever saw in my life. It is perfectly absurd your saying that you name isn't Ernest. It's on your cards" (Writings, 484). However for Jack Worthing, Ernest is an imaginary adventurous figure possibly, "a younger brother . . . who lives in the Albany, and gets into the most dreadful scrapes" (Writings, 485). For Gwendolen Fairfax, Ernest is a moralist, "a strong upright Nature. He is the very soul of truth and honour. Disloyalty would be as impossible to him as deception" (Writings, 517). And for Cecily Cardew, Ernest is her romantic partner: "And of course a man who is much talked about is always very attractive" (Writings, 513)."
Abstract This paper examines how Oscar Wilde's famous play, "The Importance of Being Earnest", is a humorous tale of the misunderstandings and gaffes of the upper class. It also discusses how the play is Wilde's jab at the upper class of society, satirizing their value of education.
From the Paper "Another character that Wilde uses liberally to show his disdain for the upper class and the lack of emphasis they put on education is Jack's niece and ward, Cecily. Throughout the play, Cecily exhibits a strong sense of dislike for education, dreading her lessons with the kindly but uninteresting Miss Prism. She herself speaks sarcastically of education, saying, "I wish Uncle Jack would allow that unfortunate young man, his brother, to come down here sometimes. We might have a good influence over him, Miss Prism. I am sure you certainly would. You know German, and geology, and things of that kind influence a man very much (1714)." Wilde's own satirical personality comes out in this statement, as Cecily is subtly making fun of the idea of learning when she feels her time would be much better suited to writing in her diary and using her imagination."
