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The Importance of Being Earnest | Reading Pointers for Sharper Insights

Reading Pointers for Sharper Insights

  1. Wilde uses puns throughout this play, but the major pun is found within the title. The title, The Importance of Being Earnest, insinuates the importance of being honest and truthful, while playing on the male name, Ernest. As you read the play, try to find some other examples of puns and entendres.

  2. Wilde satirizes the life of the elite by exaggerating their ideals and their idle way of life. Consider the many ways that Wilde mocks Victorian social standards through language. What institutions, if any, does Wilde seem to be particularly critical of?

  3. Confused or hidden identity is a motif that is apparent from the beginning: Even Algernon thinks Jack's name is Ernest, introducing him as Ernest, and even stating that Jack looks like an Ernest. This motif is developed throughout the story and the play's cast of deceptive and deceived characters.

  4. One of The Importance of Being Earnest's main themes is that of appearance and fantasy versus reality. Examine the appearances and dual personalities presented in the play. How separate are the characters from their ‘identities’? What impact do the alternate selves have on others and the true selfs?

  5. Wilde is famous for his epigrams, which are seen throughout the play. For example: “More than half of modern culture depends on what one shouldn't read,” “Divorces are made in Heaven,” and “The Divorce Court was specially invented for people whose memories are so curiously constituted.” What effect do these short sayings have on the tone and message of the play? How do the characters respond to these ‘truisms’?

  6. Irony is used to emphasis sarcasm and satire. Verbal irony consists of such devices as puns, entendres, and epigrams. Situational irony occurs in the plot and amongst characters. What examples of verbal and situational irony seem most unrealistic in the play? Are there any that seem realistic? Keep in mind what Wilde sees as the purpose of satire when considering the irony of a situation.

  7. Foil characters are those characters whose purpose in the play is to contrast the ideals, situations, and characterization of the main characters. Often times, however, the main characters act as foils to each other. What pairings of foil characters can you think of? Are there any characters that have parallel characters [e.g., Gwendolen and Algernon]?

  8. Wilde's attempt at satire requires the creation of an ideal ‘elite’—the perfect portrait of those whom he is criticizing. How Wilde uses irony, paradox, contradiction, and humor to create a play that succeeds in its satire at the same time as it succeeds in its entertainment value has been the object of many attempts at recreation. What aspects of the play, whether characterization, plot, setting, language, etc., do you see as acting in Wilde's favor. In other words, are there any areas where the satire fails?

  9. The play seems to end with a so-called Hollywood ending, that is, all the characters seem to be happy. But, as this is a satire, do you think Wilde intends the audience to view the conclusion as a happy one? Reflect on the individual stories of Wilde's characters. Do you foresee happy futures for the main characters, or is there a hidden darkness waiting to escape?