The name of Oscar Wilde is perhaps on the top when it comes to literature messiahs. The literary work in discussion here is Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” that was first premiered in 1895 at St. James’s Theatre in London. The play depicts the setting in London and the countryside in England. All in all, the play is a portrayal of the nineteenth century Victorian society and the writer has written it in the form of a quirky romantic comedy using intelligent and sharp satirical language.
John Worthing is the leading character of this play as the major developments in the plot revolve around him. The conflict of the play is due to his desire of marrying Gwendolen (the main female character), his home is the main setting and the jeopardy of his pursuits brings complication in the plot. The resolution of the plot is wholly dependent on the settlement of his interests. His background is vague and mysterious. As a child, he was left by someone, in a handbag, at Victoria Station. He looks after the grand-daughter of his dead benefactor. He creates “Ernest” (a pretended brother) for having some fun in his monotonous life and to enjoy. Ernest always gets into trouble for the doings of John Worthing. His dual character, however, turns out complicating when he finds himself falling in love with Gwendolen. Unfortunately, he was disapproved by Gwendolen’s mother due to his mysterious background. Gwendolen did not want to marry him either as his name was Ernest. He was discovered as a fraud when Gwendolen visits his house in the countryside. Nevertheless, she forgives and takes him back. In the end, he discovers his identity and comes to know that he was really named Ernest and was misplaced by his governess at Victoria Station. Finally, his aristocratic reality and honesty of feelings helped him in marrying the love of his life.
As far as the play is concerned, it is filled with sharp, satirical phrases. Such idiomatic expressions put in a comical intellect and sagacity to the scenes. In Act II of the play, the phrase “Well, I know, of course, how important it is not to keep a business engagement” (Wilde Act II) is an example of such humor. This is for the reason that Victorians considered it very important to hold up their business engagements. However, the characters in the play don’t find this statement as a pleasing one.
In my opinion, “The Importance of Being Earnest” is the combination of a complicated plot, the apparently irresolvable sequence of events and Wilde’s most humorist and smartest lines. I was really amused by the most dazzling wit that I have ever read. Wilde has been successful in making the most serious matters lighter. Although it is criticized as a messed up play, “The Importance of Being Earnest” has an enormous influence as it contains deep substance for the audience to dig up. Thus, it won’t be incorrect to state that this play by Wilde is undeniably a landmark in the Western theatre’s history. The play has achieved this status because of the plain velvet criticism it has done on the aristocratic Victorian society. Wilde has criticized the social order in a very satirical but influential manner. I have found this play really out of the ordinary, exciting and motivating.
Work Cited
Wilde, Oscar. The Importance of Being Earnest. New York: Dover Publications, 1990. Print.
