Victorian Values In The Importance Of Being Earnest

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Oscar Wilde conveys in the play The Importance of Being Earnest his desire for change in Victorian values and morals by showing the absurd and trivial nature of these strict code of ethics (The Norton Anthology 2222-63). Wilde shows how Victorian morals hold little meaning because the strict code of ethics acted as a facade to appear noble. The protagonist Jack has the responsibility of being a guardian to a girl named Cecily and has the burdens of being a landowner. His position forces him to adopt “a very high moral tone on all subjects” in order to conform with society’s expectations (2226). Jack pretends to have a younger brother named Ernest. He uses this name when in the city to escape the obligations he has in the country. Ernest provides an excuse for Jack to leave his responsibilities and get into “the most dreadful of scrapes”(2226). His friend Algernon lives a similar Ethics provide a way separate right from wrong and eliminate anything in between. The morals of Victorian society change depending on the individual, defeating the purpose of the rules. Victorian society values sincerity, but the characters in the play give examples of situations of when one should not be earnest. Jack believes that the truth should sometimes not be told to a “nice, sweet, refined girl” like Gwendolyn (2234). Algernon believes that truth should not belong in civil conversation. According to Lady Bracknell, “no woman should ever be quite accurate about her age” (2259). Gwendolyn feels “in matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing” (2255). This demonstrates how sincerity does matter because other value hold more importance. Victorian morals become trivial because the strict code of ethics puts emphasis on honesty and nobility. If these traits can be ignored in favor of others, one begins to questions the importance of these

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