A View of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest

While reading The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, I noticed a particular insanity that seemed to be present in all of the characters, with the exception of Miss Prism, Canon Casuble, and Merriman. These three seem to be rational, reasonable people, if a bit uptight. Algernon, Lane, Jack, Gwendolyn, and Cecily, however, display what is either a severe indecisiveness or a reflexive seriousness, accented by Lady Bracknell's hypocritical intervention. They seem to care about nothing at all, or to care very deeply about everything. Of which is the case, I am not certain.

Lane and Algernon discuss marriage as though it is a triviality, "the consequence of a misunderstanding between myself and a young person" (p 1819-1820). Algernon dismisses his flirtation with danger like a joke (p 1834). Both men lie habitually about their whereabouts, plans, and relations, but do not feel torn by it (p 1824 - 1856). They speak of being christened as if it were a thing one regularly repeated when one had "not been christened for years" (p 1853). Their lack of deference for significant concepts is maddening.

However, they seem to be completely backwards in their other attitudes. Gwendolyn bases her love affair with Jack on the idea that he is named "Ernest" (p 1827), as does Cecily with Algernon (p 1844). The men have a terrible argument over the manner in which Algernon is eating muffins (p 1852-1853). They both are adamant about their "Bunburying," and would not have willingly given it up, had their secrets not been exposed (p 1852). It is surprising to learn each new trivial point over which the men or women will stake their honor.

Lady Bracknell's hypocrisy is equally confusing, but entertaining. She does not approve of dishonesty, yet lies to Lord Bracknell without guilt (p 1856). In fact, she only speaks of him condescendingly (p 1826, 1828, 1855). Aunt Agnes fawns over Cecily's "qualities that last" in "an age of surfaces" only after she has learned of Cecily's inheritance (p 1857). She is quick to excuse the rude behaviors Algernon is accused of if it favors her finances (p 1859). Even her objection to Jack's engagement to Gwendolyn, on which she is "firm" (p 1856), immediately turns to approval when it suits her (p 1860). Lady Bracknell's hypocrisy is only heightened by directing itself toward the affairs of men and women who are so confused.

Whatever is the matter with the characters of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest," their eccentricities are the backbone of the play. They are satirical, entertaining, and enlightening. Most of all, they interact with one another and with the "normal" characters to bring about a hilarious, hectic climax and predictable happy ending.

Sources: Wilde, Oscar. "The Importance of Being Earnest." The Norton Introduction to Literature. Eds. Peter Simon. 8^th Ed. New York: W W Norton and Company, 2002. 1819-1864.