The Importance of Being Earnest - Literary Terms

Satire

Satire is a literary technique that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize foolishness or corruption, often in society or politics.

Epigram

An epigram is a brief, witty, insightful, and often humorous statement, often with a twist or unexpected ending. 

Irony

Irony is a literary device in which there is a contrast between expectation and reality. 

Verbal irony is figure of speech in which one says the opposite of what one means. For example, saying ‘The weather is great’ during a tornado.

Situational irony is a discrepancy between what is expected and what actually happens.

Dramatic irony is when the audience knows something the characters do not.

Figures of Speech (figurative language)

Figures of Speech (figurative language): Figures of speech are ways of using language in a non-literal way to create a desired effect. Paradox, pun, and hyperbole are figures of speech Wilde uses in The Importance of Being Earnest. Other common figures of speech you may already be familiar with are metaphors, similes, and personification. 

Paradox

A paradox is a statement that appears self-contradictory or absurd but reveals a deeper truth. To put it another way: A paradox is a statement that, despite sounding reasonable or logical, contains a contradiction. "Less is more" or "You have to be cruel to be kind” are examples of paradoxes. The purpose of a paradox is to challenge conventional thinking, highlight a complex reality, or provoke thought. 

Pun

A pun is a play on words that exploits multiple meanings or similar sounds for humorous effect. The play’s title, The Importance of Being Earnest is a pun. “Earnest” means serious or sincere, but it’s also the name “Ernest,” which both male characters pretend to have. The play’s humor depends on this double meaning.

Hyperbole

Hyperbole is a figure of speech that uses exaggeration to create a strong impression or emphasis, not meant to be taken literally. It's a rhetorical device employed to highlight a point, add humor, or convey strong emotions.