In Act 1 of “The Importance of Being Earnest”, Wilde satirizes marriage by using travesty and to show that marriage is supposed to be a serious topic but as if it was just business. In the play, Gwendolen is talking with Jack about how important and serious marriage is but as soon and Jack asks her on impulse, she says yes. Gwendolen loves jack’s fake name that is Ernest, and that’s pretty much all she cares about. To be Earnest is to be serious and sincere which is ironic because Jack is lying to Gwendolen. This travesty reduces the idea of marriage to its lowest level. Wilde also brings attention to the fact that marriage is treated more like a business. When talking to Algy, Jack explains that he has come to the city to “propose to her”
