To what extent does Oscar Wilde rely on rely on food to compound comedy in the “Importance of Being Earnest”

To what extent does Oscar Wilde rely on rely on food to compound comedy in the “Importance of Being Earnest”

“I can't stand people who do not take food seriously”. This famous quote by Oscar Wilde signposts the significance of food and appetite in the “Importance of Being Earnest”. Food and scenes of eating are apparent throughout the play, and are usually portrayed as sources of coflict or sexal desire, ultimatly workin in sync with one another to compound comedy within the play; significant example being the importance of the cucumber sandwiches with Algernon, the exchange of bread, butter and cake between Cecily and Gwendolen and the devouring of muffins between Jack and Algernon. The initial motif of food connects to the subject of marriage and sex; Oscar Wilde’s own view on society were that middle and upper classes were materialistic, self obsessed and pleasure seekers, which is vividly illustrated by regular scene of “appetite” for food.

Wilde compounds comedy through the use of the cucumber sandwiches as it illustrates the extensive “sexual appetite” Algernon holds whilst portraying the greed and hierarchy of the upper classes. Oscar Wilde uses the notion of physical humour as Algernon continues to absentmindedly devour all of the cucumber sandwiches, even though he is aware they are ordered especially for Lady Bracknell: “Have you got the cucumber sandwiches cut…[inspects them and takes two]”. The visual contradiction of his intention leads to disorder, a feature of dramatic comedy. Wilde portrays a satire on the upper classes and comedy is created as he provokes fun of the greed and gluttony of them. The fact that his message is conveyed through the metaphor of the cucumber sandwiches highlights the materialistic and superficial views of victorian society as it shows competition of even vital necessities being the food. Comedy is enhanced as dramatic irony is created. The audience is aware of Algernon's action where as he is not, contributing to the breakdown of order in the scene. This is comical as disorder leads to distress within the scene and a break...

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