The Importance of Being Earnest: Critical Analysis - Essay Example

This essay examines Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest in terms of the author’s wit and satire, as well the way the text reflects his views on the Victorian Era. There are a variety of ways with which the text functions as a satire on the Victorian Era. In Act there is an exchange between Jack and Algernon regarding the double lives they lead. Jack suggests that marriage after marriage they should have no desire to continue such double-lives. Algernon disagrees and responds, “Nothing will induce me to part with Bunbury, and if you ever get married, which seems to me extremely problematic, you will be very glad to know Bunbury.

A man who marries without knowing Bunbury has a very tedious time of it (Act I).” In this sense Wilde is implementing his wit as a means of developing a satire on Victorian notions of marriage. While marriage was supposed to be a sacred institution, Wilde is indicating that in practice it is far from it. While in the context of the drama Algernon is speaking frankly, one recognizes that in reality his statement borders on the absurd; the notion that a man who marries must also have a double-life makes a complete mockery of the Victorian institution of marriage.

Later in Act I, Wilde makes further comments on the nature of Victorian society. . The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever. If it did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Square (Act I, Part I).” Just as with the Algernon conversation previously examined it seems that to a degree Lady Bracknell is being unintentionally humorous in her statements.

She openly states that she approves of ignorance, comparing it to an exotic fruit. In this sense, Wilde is implementing his satirical wit as a means of demonstrating some of the essential truths about Victorian British society. Specifically, when Lady Bracknell speaks about being in favor of ignorance she is indicating that if the lower classes were to become educated then they would rise up and usurp the upper classes. In addition to above noted occurrence, the confrontation Jack has with Lady Bracknell, Wilde also implements Jack’s heritage as a means of further commenting on Victorian society.

Jack informs Lady Bracknell that he does not know who his true parents are because he was dropped off in a handbag and is thus orphaned. She is taken aback by this revelation and asks to confirm it, "A handbag?" Jack responds, "The Brighton Line (Act I, Part I)." The distinction between the specific line the bag is from is significant as it indicates that Jack believes it is important to indicate he is from the rich part of town. Again Wilde uses understatement to absurd and satirical ends. It is not entirely discernable if Jack is being serious or not, but in either instance it is a telling statement on the mores of Victorian society.

While Wilde’s primary concern in the