Assignment Paper 104: Literature of the Victorians

 Assignment Paper 104: Literature of the Victorians

Table of contents:- 

 1. Personal Information

 2. Assignment Details 

 3. Abstract

 4. Introduction

 5. Satirical Critique of Victorian Social Norms

 6. Wit and Epigrams as Tools for Social Commentary

 7. The Theme of Double Lives and “Bunburying”

 8. Mockery of Aristocratic Values and Social Hypocrisy

 9. Irony and Inversion of Traditional Values

 10. Conclusion

11. Reference

Personal Information:-

Name:- Sanket Vavadiya 

Batch:- M.A. Sem 1 (2024-26)

Enrollment number:- 5108240039

E-mail:- vavadiyasanket412@gmail.com

Assignment Details:- 

Topic:- Important of being earnest as a Comedy of manners

Paper number 101:- Literature of the Elizabethan and Restoration Periods 

Submitted to:- Smt. Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department of English, MKBU, Bhavnagar

Date of submission:- 20 November 2024

Abstract

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde as a quintessential comedy of manners. Wilde’s play humorously critiques Victorian society through satire, wit, and irony, highlighting the superficial nature of aristocratic values, social conventions, and relationships. Key elements discussed include Wilde’s use of exaggerated characters like Lady Bracknell to mock the aristocracy, the theme of double lives that reveals societal hypocrisy, and the satirical portrayal of marriage as a trivial pursuit. Through these techniques, Wilde exposes the absurdity of social norms and offers a timeless critique of society’s obsession with appearance over sincerity.

Introduction

Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, written in 1895, is considered one of the greatest examples of the comedy of manners, a genre that humorously critiques societal norms and the behavior of the upper class. Set in Victorian England, the play highlights the absurdities of a society obsessed with appearances, reputation, and social status. Wilde’s play mocks the frivolity and hypocrisy of this society, using witty dialogue, irony, and exaggerated characters to explore the superficial nature of relationships and the limitations imposed by social expectations. In this assignment, we will examine five major aspects of The Importance of Being Earnest that contribute to its status as a quintessential comedy of manners.

1. Satirical Critique of Victorian Social Norms

Wilde’s play serves as a sharp satire of Victorian social conventions, especially those concerning marriage, family, and class. Through the character of Lady Bracknell, Wilde critiques the superficial values held by the upper class, particularly their materialism and rigid social expectations. Lady Bracknell’s interrogation of Jack in Act I about his wealth, family lineage, and social connections rather than his personality or character underscores the Victorian fixation on status. Wilde uses her character to showcase how societal expectations can be both restrictive and absurd, where one’s worth is measured by external factors rather than individual qualities.

Marriage, a significant theme in the play, is similarly treated with irony. Rather than portraying it as a union of love, Wilde depicts it as a transaction and a means of social mobility. Gwendolen’s obsession with the name “Ernest” highlights the trivial basis upon which many Victorian engagements were founded. Wilde uses satire to reveal the insincerity in relationships that are driven more by societal expectations than by genuine affection, pointing out the hollowness of these social rituals.

2. Wit and Epigrams as Tools for Social Commentary

One of the defining features of Wilde’s style in The Importance of Being Earnest is his use of epigrams—witty, paradoxical statements that expose the absurdity of social conventions. Wilde’s sharp wit enables him to critique Victorian society without being overtly moralistic, making his observations both humorous and thought-provoking. Phrases like “In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing” reveal the absurd priorities of Wilde’s characters while also providing a deeper commentary on Victorian society’s preference for appearances over substance.

Wilde’s epigrams often contain underlying truths about the hypocrisies of society. For instance, when Algernon remarks, “The truth is rarely pure and never simple,” he captures the play’s theme of deception and double lives, while simultaneously commenting on the complexity of human relationships. Wilde’s witty language not only enhances the play’s humor but also reinforces his critical view of a society that is outwardly polished but inwardly flawed.

3. The Theme of Double Lives and “Bunburying”

A core element of The Importance of Being Earnest is the theme of double lives, particularly embodied in the concept of “Bunburying.” Algernon invents a fictitious friend named Bunbury, whom he uses as an excuse to escape social obligations. Similarly, Jack leads a double life, adopting the name “Ernest” when he wishes to escape the responsibilities of his respectable life. This theme of deception highlights the superficiality and hypocrisy of Victorian society, where people are often forced to hide their true selves behind socially acceptable facades.

Wilde uses these dual identities to expose the tension between private desires and public expectations. By living double lives, both Algernon and Jack reveal their dissatisfaction with societal norms and their yearning for freedom. This idea resonates with the essence of a comedy of manners, as Wilde humorously depicts characters who navigate societal constraints while engaging in morally ambiguous behavior. The concept of “Bunburying” adds a layer of irony to the play, as it suggests that even the seemingly upright members of society are engaged in acts of deceit, further underscoring Wilde’s critique of Victorian morality.

4. Mockery of Aristocratic Values and Social Hypocrisy

Wilde’s portrayal of the aristocracy is filled with humor and sarcasm, exposing the hollowness of aristocratic values. Lady Bracknell, who represents the voice of the Victorian elite, is particularly satirical in her views. Her insistence on the importance of wealth, lineage, and connections over qualities such as kindness or intelligence makes her a caricature of the upper class’s materialism and snobbery. Wilde uses Lady Bracknell to emphasize the absurd lengths to which aristocrats will go to maintain their status and exclusivity.

For example, her rejection of Jack as a suitor for Gwendolen due to his lack of respectable parentage is both humorous and revealing of the rigid class distinctions that defined Victorian society. Wilde’s satire here serves a dual purpose: it ridicules the aristocracy’s obsession with social rank and exposes the hypocrisy of a class that claims moral superiority while displaying shallow values. The aristocratic characters in Wilde’s play thus become embodiments of the superficial values that the comedy of manners traditionally critiques.

5. Irony and Inversion of Traditional Values

Irony is a central device in The Importance of Being Earnest, as Wilde frequently inverts traditional values to reveal their inherent absurdities. One of the most notable inversions is Wilde’s treatment of the name “Ernest.” While the name suggests honesty and sincerity, the character “Ernest” is actually a fabrication—a fictional persona adopted by Jack to evade responsibility. This ironic twist exemplifies Wilde’s playful subversion of language and expectations, making the name Ernest a symbol of deceit rather than integrity.

The play’s title itself is ironic, as it implies the importance of being “earnest” (honest and sincere), yet the characters are anything but. Their lives are filled with deception, lies, and manipulation. By flipping the meaning of earnestness, Wilde draws attention to the hypocrisy of a society that values appearances over genuine virtue. This inversion serves as a humorous critique of Victorian morality, where respectability is often maintained through deception. Wilde’s irony not only enhances the play’s comedic effect but also deepens his critique of a society that prizes superficial values.

Conclusion

Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest is a classic example of a comedy of manners, skillfully blending humor with social criticism. Through satire, wit, irony, and the theme of double lives, Wilde exposes the superficiality, hypocrisy, and rigid class distinctions of Victorian society. By presenting characters who are both amusing and morally ambiguous, Wilde invites the audience to question the values that govern social behavior. His portrayal of aristocratic vanity, trivial relationships, and ironic inversions creates a timeless social commentary, making The Importance of Being Earnest a play that continues to resonate with audiences. Wilde’s work exemplifies how the comedy of manners can use humor to critique society’s flaws, inviting reflection on the nature of social conventions and human behavior.

Reference 

Wilde, Oscar. The Importance of Being Earnest. 1895.