ISLE: L13: Victorian Age II

Oscar Wilde: The importance of being earnest

Who was Oscar Wilde?

An irish writer from the late Victorian period (1870-1901). He made his fame in Oxford and London, where he played an important part in London High Society.

What characterizes the Late Victorian period?

It was marked by sense of decay, immorality, exposing the hypocricies of the Victorian age and a melancholic feeling.

Who was Lord Alfred Douglas?

Wilde’s partner, whose relationship with him led to Wilde’s imprisonment. He left the United Kingdom after leaving prison.

What is Aestheticism?

A movement inspired byb 19th century poetry. It values art for its beauty rather than moral purpose. The Preraphaelites inspired aestheticism. John Keats was a big influence on the movement

What does “art for art’s sake” mean?

Art should not serve a moral or social function.

Why was Aestheticism criticized

It was mocked and criticized because of it’s association with the idea of decadence and because people taught of it as an excuse to hedonism.

What is The Importance of Being Earnest?

A comedy play by Wilde first performed in 1895. It was very popular from the beginning and production only ceased during Wilde’s imprisonment. It is essential that actors play with perfect earnestness and gravity throughout.

What type of play is The Importance of Being Earnest?

It is both a farce and a social satire. It uses stereotypical characters but Oscar Wilde also makes fun of these characters. It is a satire because there is a lot of social criticism in the play.

What is a farce?

a play designed to provoke laughter through the often humiliating antics of stock characters

How are women in the importance of being earnest presented

They are naive (they quickly fall in love and are easy to believe in Ernest), but they know their position and stand their ground at the same time.

what is a social satire

A comedy to adress social ills.

Types of irony used in the importance of being earnest

1. Situational irony

2. Dramatic irony

3. Irony of reversal

4. Reversal of meaning

5. Understatement / undercutting comparisons

6. Overstatement

7. Incongruity between the literal and the figurative

Why is marriage not taken seriously in Act 1 of the importance of being earnest

It was easier to get a divorce in a civil court for the first time back then

What is an example of false politeness in Act 1 of the importance of being earnest

Lane says, “I didn’t think it was polite to listen,” after clearly overhearing.

What is a key feature of Wilde’s humor in Act 1 of the importance of being earnest

Sophisticated social satire through irony and exaggeration.

What is situational irony

Phrase that would be normal in one situation is used ironically in another

What is an example of irony of reversal in the importance of being earnest

“Divorces are made in Heaven,” reversing the phrase “marriages are made in Heaven.”

What are undercutting comparisons?

Treating serious topics in a trivial or dismissive way. Trivial things should be treated seriously, and serious things lightly is also what Wilde does in the importance of being earnest

What is an example of overstatement in Act 1 of the importance of being earnest

Jack treats a lost cigarette case as extremely important and offers a large reward.

What is dramatic irony in a play?

The audience knows more than the characters. Ex. Cecily believes Algernon is “wicked cousin Ernest,” but he is not.

What is incongruity between literal and figurative meaning?

A character interprets a metaphor literally. Ex. Lady Bracknell treats “losing both parents” as carelessness.

What is reversal of meaning

Characters say the opposite of what they actually mean.

What is an example of dramatic irony in Act 2 of the importance of being earnest

Characters assume things about relationships that the audience knows are false.

What is an example of overstatement in Act 2 of the importance of being earnest

Cecily describes Ernest as becoming “more interesting hourly.”

What is understatement in Act 2 of the importance of being earnest

Serious emotions are expressed in a minimal or ironic way using double negatives.

How does Lady Bracknell show irony of reversal in act 3 of the importance of being earnest

She criticizes superficiality while being extremely superficial herself.

How does Wilde parody melodrama in Act 3 of the importance of being earnest

By revealing Jack’s dramatic “orphan identity crisis” as trivial. The melodramatic stereotype in Victorian theatre is that a lost oprhan is revealed to be an heir to wealth. Jack’s identity reveal is ironic because he discovers he is actually Ernest, solving the identity confusion.

What is a Wildean epigram

A witty statement followed by an even more ironic or exaggerated explanation. Ex. Algernon: The very essence of romance is uncertainty. If ever I get married, I’ll certainly try to forget the fact.