Literary Analysis Of The Importance Of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde

During the summer of 1894, author Oscar Wilde constructed a deceptively flippant play. The play takes place in a rural community, not far from London. While he does reference crucial issues with ties to historical context, the references are often overshadowed by his characters own trivial concerns; making it a pure social comedy. In Wilde's literary work, The Importance of Being Earnest, he employs the use of events that seem to be consciously and intentionally opposite from what the audience expects, which, is often amusing as a result. He often makes fun of the characters using silly or exaggerated language and also uses statements that are not meant to be taken literally; typically for an emphatic effect. Through these literary devices, he is able to lionize the constraints of morality. In Wilde's, The Importance of Being Earnest, the author dismisses practices and formalities that the upper-class society generally partake in. Wilde uses satire multiple times throughout his play. Algernon claims that he is Jack's brother, Algernon says, 'Certainly I will not go if you are mourning. It would be very unkind. If I was, mourning you would not leave me, I guess'. He employs the use of satire to persuade the readers to believe something by showing the opposite view as absurd. The satirical statement explicitly aims at general defects within society, rather than an attack on an individual. Satire once again occurs around the conclusion of the play. Two female characters, Cecily and Gwendolen, both begin to understand Algernon and Jack, were lying to them in regards to their names being 'Earnest.' The author takes this opportunity to utilize Menippean Satire: a literary device to demonstrate how both of the girls had to burn conscious reactions for what they believed was, 'Earnest.' Cecily and Gwendolen's love possesses two dramatically different sides.

The two girls discover they both were betrayed, they stab the two boys, Algernon and Jack, in the back: 'My poor wounded Cecily!' and 'My poor wounded Gwendolen!'. Displaying the ideology that the concept of marriage involved what name someone had in the aristocrat dense society, rather than it being an actual bond. Wildes employs the use of irony to make his audience acknowledge and dwell on what has just been stated so he can emphasize a central concept. The audience plays a key role in understanding the juxtapositions of what is stated and what is typical and expected, making his employment a successful utilization of irony. In beginnings of the play, Wilde uses ironic techniques through his characters, regarding the normalities that exist within their society. When Jack says: 'I am not supposed to talk about modern culture. It's just not the kind of topic you should talk about amongst yourselves.' He is demonstrating irony because the topic of modern cultural affinities is often a topic of discussion. In this twisted small privileged class society, it is looked down upon when people stray outside of the boundaries of cultural formalities. Wilde once again shows irony later in the interaction Algernon, and Jack had, the pair discussed the social constructs of what marriage is. Jack says: 'My dearest fellow, the truth is not on of those things you tell to a nice orderly young girl, your ideas about how to act around a woman are extraordinary.' Jack believes being a truthful person is not an essential part of being in relationships. His views on marriage and how to treat women shed light upon the strict social constrictions and expectations of women Victorian society. Wilde utilizes Hyperboles like any other descriptive form of language to help paint a more vivid picture for his audience. Hyperboles serve as a platform for him to convince his audience and further his theme. Later in the play, Wildes uses exaggeration as a literary technique to demonstrate cultural normalities through the interaction that his characters had involving how many people needed to be at the table. Algernon decides to say no to the offer and will not join her a meal, and she retaliates with the statement, 'I really hope it does Algernon; it would mess the table up entirely. He would have to eat upstairs. Luckily, he's become used to it.' While comical, Wilde pokes fun at the upper-class's completely absurd formalities while still employing comedic relief, for no legitimate reason, the upper-class have made a habit of turning something that was seemingly minuscule into a colossal issue. The wealthy are at the top of the totem pole. They express their status by utilizing the power they have over everyone lower than them.

Wilde further solidifies his theme: constraints of morality once again through his comedic use of exaggeration. Algernon states he is unable to be present at the dinner because of Mr. Bunbury. To which Bracknell retaliates with, 'I think it's about time for Mr. Bunbury made up his mind, was he going to live or die. Shilly-shallying about this question is crazy; I would be obliged if you would ask him, Mr. Bunbury, for me, to be kind enough on us all not to have a relapse. Wilde chooses diction such as 'Shilly-Shallying' as a means to demonstrate how a life and death scenario could be miniscule. As a member of the higher-class society, a scenario is relatively unimportant as long as she is able to influence the behavior of others directly. The Importance of Being Earnest is a social Comedy. True to its genre, it has a happy ending. All the characters are finally able to obtain what they wanted. All secret identities come to light. All of the couples can get married in a socially acceptable way. Jack turns out not to be the son of some random wealthy merchant, but a legitimate aristocrat. He is Lady Bracknell's nephew and Algernon's older brother. This makes him Gwendolen's cousin as well as a lover. In Oscar Wilde's literary creation, The Importance of Being Earnest, he employs the use of events that seem to be consciously and intentionally opposite from what the audience expects, which, is often amusing as a result. He often makes fun of the characters using silly or exaggerated language and also uses statements that are not meant to be taken literally; typically for a pronounced effect. Through his use of humor, he was able to affirm the theme regarding constraints of morality consistently within his literary work.