West Forsyth
Major Works Data Sheet
AP Literature and Composition
Student: Ms. Currin 
Title of Work: The Importance of Being Earnest
Characteristics of the Genre:
Author: Oscar Wilde
Late Victorian literature adheres to the realistic style of the
1800s, but it also subverts or critiques some of the traditional
Victorian values that were then in decline. Because Wilde’s play
can also be classified as a comedy of manners, it fits this
definition rather well. The overall situation is realistic, though
the dialogue in fact ridicules the artificial, conventional behavior
of upper-class society.
Date of Publication: (performed in 1895)
Genre: Late Victorian, Aestheticism
Aestheticism was a movement that promoted the idea of “art for
art’s sake,” seeking to divorce art from morality. Wilde’s belief
in this motto is evident in the symmetry within the play: Jack
masquerades as Ernest in Act I just as Algernon pretends to be
Ernest in Act II. Algernon’s proposal to Cecily in Act II mirrors
Jack’s proposal to Gwendolen in Act I. The balanced (and thus
“beautiful”) form is more important to Wilde than the content.
Historical Information about the Period of Publication:
Biographical Information about the Author:
Queen Victoria died in 1901, so by 1895, it was clear that her
reign was coming to an end. The Late Victorian period was
marked by a “decay of values”—a loss of faith in the progress of
industrialization and imperialism. Charles Darwin’s 1859 Origin
of Species had perpetuated the “survival of the fittest” mentality,
which supported the social hierarchy of “haves” and “have nots.”
However, criticism and doubt were on the rise, even in the form
of Prince Edward, Victoria’s “wayward” son and heir. Ironically,
Aestheticism was possible because of the increased leisure time
afforded by the industrial revolution, the very “commercial
machine” that Aesthetes criticized.
Wilde was both a product of his time and a keen judge of it. He
grew up in an intellectual and financially comfortable household
and was particularly influenced by his mother, who advocated
for Irish independence and women’s rights. Wilde traveled to
America as a lecturer and was popular for his extravagance and
wit. Although he married and had children, he fell in love with
Lord Alfred Douglas (“Bosie”), whose father, the Marquess of
Queensberry, won a case against Wilde because homosexuality
was then illegal. The penalty was two years of hard labor in
prison, where Wilde contracted the cerebral meningitis that
ended his life.
Plot Summary:
Act I:
Act II:
Act III:
Description of the Author’s Style:
Example that Demonstrates Style and Explanation:
Wilde uses a number of humorous techniques to keep the plot of
his play moving rapidly along. The witty dialogue is packed with
epigrams (brief, cleverly expressed, and usually memorable
statements), aphorisms (concise statements of principle or truth),
and puns (humorous wordplay relying on multiple meanings or
similar sounds).
Miss Prism’s statement to Cecily that “Memory […] is the diary
that we all carry about with us” is an aphorism (34). However,
Miss Prism’s disapproving tone makes the remark humorous,
and even more so when the farcical nature of Cecily’s diary is
revealed.
When Jack proclaims, “My dear Algy, you talk as if you were a
dentist. It is very vulgar to talk like a dentist when one isn’t a
dentist. It produces a false impression,” Wilde is using a pun
(8). “Impression” can refer to a dental procedure or to the way
one presents oneself to others.
Memorable Quotations
Quotation (and Speaker):
“I don’t play accurately—anyone can play accurately—but I
play with wonderful expression.” –Algernon (4)
Significance:
Algernon’s “extravagant” way of playing the piano
demonstrates Wilde’s belief that style is more important than
substance, a major part of the Aesthetic movement.
2.
“The truth is rarely pure and never simple. Modern life
would be very tedious if it were either, and modern literature
a complete impossibility!” –Algernon (10)
As early as Act I, Algernon has addressed, in the form of an
aphorism, one of the play’s central themes—the preference for
fiction over fact.
3.
“A girl with a simple, unspoiled nature, like Gwendolen,
could hardly be expected to reside in the country.” –Lady
Bracknell (22)
Lady Bracknell is being unintentionally ironic. Simplicity and
innocence are often associated with rural settings, rather than
with urban life.
4.
“All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy.
No man does. That’s his.” –Algernon (26)
This remark is an epigram; it could be lifted from the play as a
short, clever statement with staying power. In the context of the
play, it touches on the “battle of the sexes” mentality and adds
humor in the consideration that Gwendolen may turn into Lady
Bracknell, much to Jack’s dismay.
5.
“Well, I can’t eat muffins in an agitated manner. The butter
would probably get on my cuffs. One should always eat
muffins quite calmly. It is the only way to eat them.”
–Algernon (67)
The “muffin scene” is a clear indication that this play is a farce.
Rather than responding with empathy to Jack’s concern,
Algernon instead replies with absurdity, in keeping with the
silliness that opposes the “earnestness” proclaimed by the title.
6.
“In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the
vital thing.” –Gwendolen (71)
Gwendolen’s remark reflects one of the play’s themes and also
sounds like the rallying cry of the Aesthetic movement.
7.
“Never speak disrespectfully of Society, Algernon. Only
people who can’t get into it do that.” –Lady Bracknell (78)
Lady Bracknell’s epigrammatic statement is a pointed reminder
of the social hierarchy so prevalent in Victorian England.
8.
“The General was essentially a man of peace, except in his
domestic life.” –Lady Bracknell (88)
This is an example of situational irony in that generals are
expected to be anything but peaceful on the battlefield. This is
also a comedic consideration of the marital/martial concept that
was tragically explored in Othello.
1.
9.
10.
Character’s Name:
1.
Algernon Moncrieff
2.
John Worthing
3.
Rev. Canon
Chasuble
4.
Lady Bracknell
5.
Gwendolen Fairfax
6.
Cecily Cardew
7.
Miss Prism
Major Characters
Role (What role does this person
Significance (Why is this
have in the story?):
character significant to the
story?):
Algernon is a bachelor who lives
Algernon’s extravagant lifestyle
in London. He is Lady
reflects Wilde’s belief in
Bracknell’s nephew,
Aestheticism. Wilde also uses
Gwendolen’s cousin, and Jack’s
Algy to comment on Victorian
friend. As it turns out, he is also
society; though he is a
Jack’s brother. He falls in love
“gentleman” by class, he lacks
with Cecily.
any real virtues.
“Jack” lives in the country, but
Jack can be considered the
comes to London under the false
play’s protagonist. He undergoes
identity of Ernest. He is
an identity struggle in more
Algernon’s friend (and brother!), ways than one. His reliance on
Gwendolen’s fiancé, and Cecily’s more than one name also reflects
guardian.
one of the play’s central themes.
Dr. Chasuble is the parish priest.
Chasuble allows Wilde to
He has feelings for Miss Prism.
comment on religion in Late
Victorian England. As in other
matters, style is preferred to
substance. True spirituality does
not exist within the play.
“Aunt Augusta” is Algernon’s
Lady Bracknell is a stock
aunt and Gwendolen’s mother.
character, representing the very
proper English lady. Wilde’s
ironic portrayal of her has a
tremendous comedic impact.
Gwendolen is Lady Bracknell’s
Gwendolen’s insistence on
daughter and Algernon’s cousin.
marrying someone named Ernest
She is in love with Jack, though
is an exaggeration of the
she believes his name to be
superficial standards so
Ernest.
prevalent in Victorian society.
Cecily is Jack’s ward. Her
Cecily’s character allows Wilde
grandfather adopted Jack. She
to emphasize the city v. country
falls in love with Algernon.
duality. She is the hopeless
romantic, unaware of how the
“real world” works.
Miss Prism works for Jack as
As a governess, Miss Prism
Cecily’s governess. She is also in occupies an ambiguous position
love with Reverend Chasuble.
in the social hierarchy. Superior
She used to work for Lady
to Cecily in knowledge, she is
Bracknell’s sister.
nonetheless inferior to Cecily in
class. Wilde uses her to
comment on the obsession with
“governess novels” in his era.
Character Traits (What sort of
person is this?):
witty, hedonistic
duplicitous, loving
intelligent, skittish
arrogant, controlling
romantic, rebellious
naïve, delusional
absent-minded, prim
Description of the Setting(s) and the Mood the Setting(s) Create:
1.
Act I takes place in the city of London, with an emphasis on
the luxury of Algernon’s “bachelor pad.” It is clear to the
audience that “high society” is the focus of the play.
2.
Acts II and III shift to the pleasant rural setting of Jack’s
manor house in Woolton. The passive-aggressive interaction
between the “citified” Gwendolen and the “country
bumpkin” Cecily highlights the contrast in settings. Cecily’s
remark that “flowers are as common here […] as people are
in London,” while touching on the natural beauty of the
region, is primarily meant to insult Gwendolen, “common”
being a pun with the implication of “low-class” (61).
Significance of the Opening Scene:
Major Symbols, Motifs, Images:
Significance of the Ending/Closing Scene:
Symbols:
In the closing scene, they all live “happily ever after.” Jack
resolves his identity crisis when he learns that he is Algernon’s
brother Ernest, accidentally placed in Miss Prism’s handbag and
left in Victoria station. With his lineage intact, he is permitted to
marry Gwendolen. Because Cecily comes from money, she is
permitted to marry Algernon. For no apparent reason other than to
“tie up loose ends,” Laetitia Prism and Frederick Chasuble declare
their love for one another as well.
1.
The cucumber sandwiches are a status symbol in that they
are served as part of a formal tea time. Because Algernon
will not let Jack have any, reserving them instead for family,
they also symbolize Algernon’s pedigree in contrast to Jack’s
orphan status.
2.
Motifs:
1.
Algernon is always eating, which the audience can interpret
as a sort of food lust. Though the play is ultimately about
relationships, it is not overtly sexual, relying instead on
innuendo and double entendre. Algernon’s greedy desire for
food mirrors his carefree bachelor lifestyle.
2.
In a farce, the situations become so entangled and complicated that
the ending often is purely arbitrary, or even a trick. In ancient
Greek and Roman drama, the ending was sometimes brought
about by a god descending from the heavens in some kind of
device or machine (deus ex machina). Miss Prism acts as the deus
ex machina in this play when she conveniently solves the mystery
of Jack’s parentage. Furthermore, a comedy by definition must
end happily, sometimes with a new order emerging to take the
place of an old and dying order. The triumph of the young couples
in this play fits this mold because their engagements occur in spite
of the obstacles that older, more traditional Lady Bracknell seeks
to impose.
Themes:
1. Love exists in many forms. Algernon and Cecily embody the cliché of “love at first sight.” The farcical nature of their encounter
criticizes this trope. Wilde uses Jack and Gwendolen to lampoon the long and drawn out nature of Victorian courtship, particularly in
the face of disapproving parents. Chasuble and Prism represent unexpressed or hidden love.
2. Illusion is often more fun and more interesting than reality. Wilde transforms the old theme of mistaken identity or “appearances can
be deceiving” by indicating that earnestness is inferior to pretense. Cecily’s elaborate diary account of her relationship with “Ernest” is
a prime example of this theme.
Possible Topics/Questions for Discussion:
1. The subtitle of the play is A Trivial Comedy for Serious People. What do you think this means?
2. How does Wilde use Lady Bracknell to satirize the British upper class?
3.