Unsatisfactory In Oscar Wilde's The Importance Of Being

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During the 1800’s, marriage was viewed as less appealing and sacred as it is today. Attitudes regarding marriage have shifted due to the adaptation and advancement of social normalities. What was once a union between two acquaintances, usually influenced by the wealth of the male, marriage became more of a holy union based on unconditional love and sacrifice. In Oscar Wilde’s play, The Importance of Being Earnest, marriage is unsatisfactory and disregarded by some characters, while embraced and valued by others. In The Importance of Being Earnest, Algernon Moncrieff, a charming bachelor and Jack’s best friend, whom he knows as Ernest, considers marriage as a dreadful experience. While explaining his judgment apropos marriage, Algernon concludes, “. . .The essence of romance is uncertainty. If [he were] to ever get married, [he’d] certainly try to forget the fact” (Wilde …show more content…

Despite acknowledging his very true emotions, Algernon, although a believer of love, considers a long term engagement to be futile. After so much time spent with a significant other, the sensation of uncertainty seems to diminish. Although certainty in a relationship may be comforting, it could potentially lead to a sense of physical and or psychological ownership over one another. These outcomes frequently originate from evident or concealed insecurities of either partner, that may be subconsciously overlooked. Marriage is interpreted differently; a sacred union between two souls with the objective of supporting the betterment of each other, or, similar to Algernon’s interpretation, a selfish chore that reminds him more of business than pleasure. He has little faith in the nature of romance, and likely

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