On the 20th of June, 1837 an empire rose from the crumbling European society-- the Victorian era. This era became largely influential to the world and the topic of many literary works, such as The Importance of Being Earnest. The Importance of Being Earnest, a ‘comedy of manners’, is set in the reverberation of the twin revolutions. Following the death of King George the Third, Alexandria Victory was given the prerogative to the British throne. Queen Victoria was a dynamic sultan in her “more than half-century reign, tremendous economic, social, and political changes rocked Great Britain,” (Schmidt). During her reign, Queen Victoria began to reform the social order: education made a transition from being appanage to compulsory, laboring was
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Much of the satire is directed toward the supercilious behavior of the ‘high society.’ Much of the play criticizes the imprudent actions of the typical upper ‘leisure’ class which Lady Bracknell prides herself in. The leisure class is known for their indolent presentation. Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen share a loftiness for their hegemony as they were brought “up to be extremely shortsighted,” (Wilde 2321). Most of the upper class generally neglected their studies because of their hallmark, and “do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance,” (Wilde 2304). The wealthy, impacted by the French revolution, thought “modern education is radically unsound,” (Wilde 2304). Being born into the leisure class meant a facile life. Wilde places a coach as the focal point in act one. He uses the coach to signify the leisure class. Lady Bracknell commends Jack on his smoking habit because she believes all men should have an occupation. High society also has a favorable habit of living beyond their means. When questioning ‘Ernest’ on his suitability as a potential marriage prospect, she reveals “that his house in town, essential for an unspoiled girl like Gwendolen, is on the unfashionable side of Belgrave Square,” (Woording). They will not do without anything they perceive as being the absolute best, even when their demands are not in their favor. In the fray involving Gwendolen and Cecily, Gwendolen frequently attempts to use her status as a coercion technique. Gwendolen uses Cecily residents in the country as a means of leverage; she cannot understand how anybody can exist there, “if anybody who is anybody does,” (Wilde 2323). She also impresses the importance of being fashionable on young Cecily. When offered tea, Gwendolen cannot refuse but she remains pretentious. When Cecily asks Gwendolen if she would like sugar to go with her tea, Gwendolen replies
Much of the satire is directed toward the supercilious behavior of the ‘high society.’ Much of the play criticizes the imprudent actions of the typical upper ‘leisure’ class which Lady Bracknell prides herself in. The leisure class is known for their indolent presentation. Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen share a loftiness for their hegemony as they were brought “up to be extremely shortsighted,” (Wilde 2321). Most of the upper class generally neglected their studies because of their hallmark, and “do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance,” (Wilde 2304). The wealthy, impacted by the French revolution, thought “modern education is radically unsound,” (Wilde 2304). Being born into the leisure class meant a facile life. Wilde places a coach as the focal point in act one. He uses the coach to signify the leisure class. Lady Bracknell commends Jack on his smoking habit because she believes all men should have an occupation. High society also has a favorable habit of living beyond their means. When questioning ‘Ernest’ on his suitability as a potential marriage prospect, she reveals “that his house in town, essential for an unspoiled girl like Gwendolen, is on the unfashionable side of Belgrave Square,” (Woording). They will not do without anything they perceive as being the absolute best, even when their demands are not in their favor. In the fray involving Gwendolen and Cecily, Gwendolen frequently attempts to use her status as a coercion technique. Gwendolen uses Cecily residents in the country as a means of leverage; she cannot understand how anybody can exist there, “if anybody who is anybody does,” (Wilde 2323). She also impresses the importance of being fashionable on young Cecily. When offered tea, Gwendolen cannot refuse but she remains pretentious. When Cecily asks Gwendolen if she would like sugar to go with her tea, Gwendolen replies