The Importance Of Being Ernest Character Analysis English Literature Essay

The splendour Of Being Ernest Character epitome English Literature EssayThe way Wilde characterized the characters in this play, chiefly bastard Worthing, displays these people as uptight and serious that wouldnt honk a toe push through of line. This initial characterization of Jack would findm to the audience a character that should belong in a drama, exclusively Wilde added to Jack the plain quirk of being found in a suitcase, and thus non knowing who his actual parents. Wilde did this first display and to ridicule the capital of Seychellesn dogma stressing normalcy and their frowning upon that which, seems to display a contempt for the ordinary decencies of family abideness (Lady Bracknell, Act I, pg. 134). Wilde uses the circumstances of jacks banknotes abandonment to symbolize both jack ambiguous social status throughout the play and to emphasize his mobility within social circles, whether that is up or down. The bag that baby Jack is dead used to symbolize th is ambiguity, for this bag was has completely the trademarks of normalcyThus, this everydayplace container contains a baby of uncommon origin. There is no coincidence that this ordinary handbag/baby container is discovered in a cloakroom, for these pieces of apparel can all be worn to c at onceal ones true(p) form, face, or identity. The Victoria topographic point has prevalence to this play as well. The western trail, including the Brighton line, led to the wealthier parts of capital of the United Kingdom while the eastern road led to places like Chatham and Dover, which were more impoverished. Wilde uses the item that the baby Jack is at the intersection of these two lines to literally put him in an identity crisis. Does he come from a poor common family or a rich grim one? Lady Bracknell chose to mien on the negative side and judge him as common until proven noble (indecently exposing Wildes contempt for the aristocratic propriety and downright snobbishness). There is pr ovided another, more positive way to interpret his discovery at Victoria Station. Trains are all about moving people to the places where they need to be. Wilde uses get up presence at Victoria Station to be a remonstrate on his social status, suggesting that he has great social mobility that he may have success in climbing up the social bleed to a prestigious position. This is foreshadowed by the fact that hes found specifically on the Brighton line, the road that leads to the richer parts of town. And indeed the story ofEarnestis about Jacks social advancement. In fact, Wilde reveals at the end that Jack is a true member of the aristocracy as part of the Moncrieff family, which makes him a worthy preserve for another aristocrat, Gwendolen. So the scene of Jacks orphaning contains aspects, like the ordinary handbag and the cloakroom, to show that he may seem common, but with the hint of an aristocratic background, through which Wilde reveals Jacks true social identity.The most prevalent movement the characters inThe Importance of Being Earnest lie is to get out of social or familial duties, to instead do something more enjoyable. not surprisingly, only a few characters hold honesty in spirited regard. However, the viewer can see how hard it is for Wildes characters to set things straight once theyve lied about them. As the situation gets increasingly complicated, Wilde must ramble more complex lies for his character to get out of the tangles of their previous lies. mayhap the most striking thing is that none of the characters ever shows true repentance or guilt about lying. The first examples of lying are the two imaginary people created by Jack and Algernon, which Wilde uses to symbolize the empty promises or deceit of the Victorian era. Not only is the character Ernest anything but businesslike for the majority of the play, but he also doesnt even tangiblely personify This makes Jacks creation of him doubly deceitful. Bunbury sounds as ridiculous and fictional as he actually is. Both of these figments of fantasy allow Jack and Algernon to live a lie so as to seem as if they go forward these high moral standards, while in touchableity are gallivanting somewhat without suffering any repercussions. Jack takes it a bit farther since he actually impersonates his so-called good-for-nothing brother. Even when Jack and Algernon are caught in their lies, they never suffer any real punishment. That they can both toss off off their imaginary alter egos or friends without much to-do, shows Victorian societys real values the Victorian era did not value honesty, responsibility, or compassionateness for the under-privileged (neither Lady Bracknell or Algernon exhibit much pity for Bunbury when he dies), but only style, money, and aristocracy. It is appropriate that the nonexistent characters of Ernest and Bunbury show how shoal are the Victorians real concerns.It seems that Wildes main point inThe Importance of Being Earnestis to c riticise Victorian society by showing how shallow and hypocritical is it. What do aristocrats do all day? Sit around, drinking tea, taking shallow gossip, and even gallivanting around under false pretence. What does Lady Bracknell want to see in Jack, her future son-in-law? Money, property, stylishness, and an aristocratic name. She cares little for his character. As the play goes on and we see just how shallow everyones desires are, and we tend to laugh. Wilde does not allow his tone to get too heavy or dark. Instead, we find the characters inThe Importance of Being Ernestamusing.