Examples Of Dualism In The Importance Of Being Earnest

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Recommended: Society in the Victorian era

Expressing that the highest form of art is “Art for arts sake” (Wilde), Wilde stated he wants his works not to be a social commentary, but rather to have beauty for its own sake. However he uses the play as a form of social commentary. He constantly pokes fun at the Victorian upper class and the triviality of their lives. Expertly Wilde demonstrates the disparity of the “two England 's” and shows how little the ruling class cares for rules and consequences (Schmit 8). Even though claiming not to, Wilde uses The Importance of Being Ernest to hi-light the differences in social standing and in doing so deconstructs the whole class system. “The dualism in The Importance of Being Earnest celebrates diversity and difference, that first appearance, …show more content…

I am greatly distressed, Aunt Augusta, about there being no cucumbers, not even for ready money. (Wilde 10)”. Even though Lane knows where the sandwiches have gone he is expected to, and successfully covers for both Jack and Algernon. Lane used deceit to cover up for his master, while also expected to tell the truth to his master. This use of lies illustrates the divide between the classes, in having the upper class expecting to lie out of convenience and to maintain social normals. In contrast the working class is expected also to maintain social norms in from of guest, but to be completely honest in private in the presence of his …show more content…

A simple way is the use of the name Ernest. Jack uses the name Ernest in the city, and with Gwendolyn. He uses the false name as part of the way he fulfills his desire to live a double life. Gwendolyn is set upon the name and will only marry a man with that name. To her the notion of nobility is more important than who they actually are. “Gwendolen: … my ideal has always been to love some one of the name of Ernest. There is something in that name that inspires absolute confidence. The moment Algernon first mentioned to me that he had a friend called Ernest, I knew I was destined to love you.” (Wilde 11). Gwendolyn falls in love with Jack based solely on the fact that he goes by the name Ernest. This glimpse into the wants and rules of the upper class shows how social norms are more important than actual love. To Gwendolyn the most important part of her marriage os the name of her suitor. She seems to only care about nobility and social standing. Again this is shown with Lady Bracknell in inquiring about Jack or as she knows him as Ernest’s life style, his apartment, how much money he has and what his lineage is. She approves of Ernest until something about Jacks past comes

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