The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest

Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1854 to his parents William and Lady Francesca Wilde. In 1871 Wilde entered Trinity College in Dublin where he excelled at his studies. Oscar Wilde wrote several books and plays. Here are some of his works include: The Picture of Dorian Gray , Lady Windermere's Fan , An Ideal Husband, and his last but what some consider his greatest play The Importance of Being Earnest. (Wayne,David 2002).

The Importance of Being Earnest is a witty comedic smear of the rigidity and greediness of the Victorian era. To begin we will look at some of the more important characters of the play to better get a feel for what will be happening in the play itself.

We will start with Jack Worthing the play's protagonist. Is a responsible young man who leads a double life. At his country estate at Hertfordshire, Jack is known as Jack. In London he is known as Ernest. As a baby, Jack was found in a handbag in the cloakroom of Victoria Station by an old man who adopted him and made Jack guardian to his granddaughter. Jack is in love with his friends cousin Gwendolen Fairfax.(sparknotes.com/lit/earnest/characters.html).

Next is Algernon Moncrieff who is Jacks friend who like jack has invented a imaginary friend who appears to be very sick. His friend "Bunbury" allows him to escape

from boring or unpleasant things.(sparknotes.com/lit/earnest/characters.html).

Next is Gwendolen Fairfax whom is in love and obsessed with Jack's alter ego Ernest. She is Algernon's cousin and the daughter of Lady Bracknell. Gwendolen is the model of high fashion and high style.(sparknotes.com/lit/earnest/characters.html).

Lady Bracknell is Algernon's aunt and Gwendolen's hard charging mother. Lady Bracknell epitomizes the greed and silliness of the British aristocracy, from her "list of eligible young men" she obliviously intends that Gwendolen marry should marry well as did her mother Lady...

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