Marriage In Jane Austen's The Importance Of Being Earnest

The Regency and Victorian eras of England were marked by rigid social stratification and strict decorum. Every aspect of life, from marriage to public interaction, was dominated by these societal rules. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, set in the Regency era, and Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, set in the Victorian era, mock the conventions and rules to which society blindly adhered. Austen and Wilde satirize the institution of marriage and the role of women in Regency and Victorian era society. Both authors create this satire through their characters; however, while Wilde places his characters in absurd situations that often delve into farce to critique these aspects of society, Austen comments through more rational and realistic

Like Wilde, she criticizes the basis of marriage on appearances and money and how these unions are used as tools to create status rather than as symbols of love and dedication. Austen makes it clear that marriages revolve around status and wealth from the outset when she states, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife” (Austen 1). This statement demonstrates that society found great wealth to be the most important quality of a man—character and depth were of little significance. The union of the Bennet parents reflects the loveless nature of marriages in the era. Mr. Bennet, a quick-witted and intelligent man, was captivated by the beauty of Mrs. Bennet in his youth. Mr. Bennet later realized that he “had married a woman whose weak understanding and illiberal mind, had very early in their marriage put an end to all affection for her” (Austen 213). Comedic moments and banter between the Bennet parents exist, and Mr. Bennet admits that the primary reason he likes his wife is because “her ignorance and folly had contributed to his amusement” (Austen 213). This adds to Austen’s satire of marriage by revealing the unfortunate consequences, such as the total lack of respect, of a loveless marriage; however, unlike

While females during this era were generally seen as delicate, submissive, and dependent, Wilde creates strong female characters who refuse to bow down to men. Jack attempts to propose to Gwendolen, but he finds that Gwendolen takes the whole situation of out his hands and instructs him on how to propose well. The conversation that ensues is absurd and highly comedic. After he suggests marriage, Gwendolen quips to Jack, “But you haven’t proposed to me yet. Nothing has been said at all about marriage. The subject has not even been touched on” (Wilde I.353-353). Jack and Gwendolen then go back and forth, and the conversation descends into absurdity. The typical expectations of women and men are completely flouted. The proposal is generally thought of as being controlled by the man, but Gwendolen commandeers it, giving orders to a powerful male and refusing to accept anything less than what she thinks she deserves. To further emphasize this female dominance, Wilde awards his male character, Jack, the submissive role in the relationship, as Jack bows to the demands of Gwendolen. He asks for permission before even beginning the proposal, inquiring to Gwendolen, “Well—may I propose to you now?” (Wilde I.354). Through this ludicrous scenario, Wilde inverts the