The Importance of Being Earnest

Oscar Wilde was an Irish Poet/Playwright in the second half of the 19^th century. His writing skill, as well as his somewhat flamboyant mode of dress and charming wit, quickly made him one of the most recognizable faces in British high society. The Importance of Being Earnest premiered during the height of Wilde’s career on February 14, 1895 at the St. James Theatre in London to general goods reviews. Many critics recognized that the play was undoubtedly clever (and popular with audience members), but most were frustrated with the fact that it did not really touch on any important political or social issues. While this is true, the play does have an interesting commentary on Victorian high society and even goes so far as to mock marriage, a very highly regarded social institution at the time.

“The Well-Made Play” is a genre developed by the French dramatist Eugene Scribe in the early 19^th century. Two of the major features in it are a quick conclusion after the climax of the play and the use of misplaced papers to bring about plot twists. Wilde exaggerates both of these themes in Earnest. The missing papers concept is exaggerated when the play’s protagonist, Jack (Earnest), is mistaken for the manuscript of a novel and misplaced. Furthermore, the play itself closes very sharply after the final climactic revelation that Jack is, in fact, Algernon’s brother.

The Staging of this play can be seen as the climactic point in Wilde’s career as an artist, but it was also the beginning of his downfall. On February 18, 1895, Wilde was accused by John Douglas, the Marquees of Queensberry and the father of Wilde’s lover, fellow poet Alfred Douglas, of “gross indecency with another man” or sodomy, a federal offense in Britain at the time. Wilde was publicly humiliated during this trial as not only did it expose his relationship with many male prostitutes, but the verdict also left him completely bankrupt. Soon after this first trial, the crown took Wilde to court only a few weeks later on the same charges and Wilde was imprisoned for two years. After being released, Wilde found himself cast out of English society and fled to France where he spent the last 3 years of his life living in extreme poverty under an assumed name.

1. Many people have pointed out that the names “Earnest” was a euphemism for homosexual in Victorian England and have used that claim that the play had a homosexual subtext. Do you think that this is true?

2. Do you think that it is necessary for a play to involve the discussion of “serious social or political issues?” Why or why not?

3. Many of the social pretenses the Wilde pokes fun at were based either in large or small part in Christianity (marriage, Christening, etc.). Yet, on his deathbed, Wilde officially converted to Roman Catholicism. How can these two facts be justified?

4. Do you think that this play, which was written as a satire of Victorian era high society England, has any relevance in modern day, 21^st century America?

5. Do you think there is any significance to Wilde setting the play in “the present” rather than saying 1895 or so?

6. One of the major themes of the play is the triviality of high society. What is the significance of Lady Bracknell’s last line, “My nephew, you seem to be displaying signs of triviality?” What, exactly, is she referring to?

7. One of the things that make this play so endearing to audiences is the dialogue, which is full of witticisms and contradictions. Discuss some examples of dialogue where this is evident and why you think Oscar Wilde included them.

8. Do you think that the exaggeration of the Well-Made Play is significant to Earnest?