Oscar Wilde and his literary contribution. The Importance of Being Ernest

With other writers and artists, rebelled against the prim (mesterkélt), moral, religious culture of Victorian England. Was known to be wild, flamboyant, witty. Although homosexual, married and had children . Being homosexual was illegal, and he served time in prison for it. Handsome. Loved clothes. Could be quite dramatic. Completely unique. Came from upper-class family. Brilliant writer. Loved to shock people. “Bad Boy” of his time. Never allowed to see his family again. Spent the remainder of his life in Paris. Died alone and poor in Paris.

The Importance of Being Earnest

Written in 1895. A Comedy in 3 Acts. Is a satire. Immediate hit when first performed. Criticizes Victorian moral and social values. Bridges Victorian period/literature with Modern. Uses wit, puns, exaggeration, and wordplay to create humor.

Settings

Time: Around 1890. Place(s): London (“the City”), Jack’s House in the Country (a very large estate), The village church.

The title of the play is a pun. To be “earnest” means to be serious, and the main character (John/Jack) uses the name “Earnest” when he is in the city. “Bunburying” is using an alias to “get away with” avoiding social obligatioins. Algernon and Jack have a double life. Algernon has invented a sickly friend named Bunbury. When Algernon wants to escape his social obligations in London, he “goes Bunburying.” That is, he pretends to visit the ailing Bunbury in the country. Jack’s situation is even more complicated. A wealthy bachelor, he lives an upright life in the country. He wants to set a proper example for Cecily, his young ward. But Jack wants to have some fun too. So he invents a wild brother named Ernest. When Jack wants to go to London, he pretends he has to bail Ernest out of trouble. In London, Jack pretends to be the bad boy Ernest.

Plot

2 wealthy gentleman named Jack and Algernon. Jack: known to Algernon as Earnest and lives a respectable life in the country side; invents a younger brother, named Earnest; wishes to marry Algernon’s cousine, Gwendloen, bur must first convince ger mother, Lady Bracknell. Algernon: live in luxury in London and has invented an imaginary friend named Burnbury; marries Jack’s young ward, Cecily. Jack arrives home announcing that Earnest has died. Jack realizes that his parents were Lady Bracknell’s sister, and brother-in-law and that he is Algernon’s older brother.