Reflection on Michael Vance Analysis of
"The Importance of Being Earnest"
by Oscar Wilde
In this blog I will be discussing article
by Michael Vance; Notes on Love and Marriage: Perspective from Oscar Wilde's,
The Importance of Being Earnest. A
satirical view is taken on courtship, marriage and the double life of the upper class and their views
on society lower class. To understand Wilde's play we must first recognize the
meaning of satire, it uses
sarcasm, ridicule and attack or wit to expose people stupidity. "The Importance of Being Earnest is a cleverly
woven satire which many rules, morays and hypocritical practices and ideas of
days were made a mockery"(Vance). The play was written it the Victorian
era in the 1800s, however, it seems like Wilde's views on society stills rings through
today.
The characters exposes how people of "high society" as
hypocrites and their main focus is to continues to increase their wealth even
though if it meant the life was being drained out of a them; "I hadn't been there since her
poor husband's death. I never seen a woman so altered; she looks quite twenty
years younger"(13). This statement summarizes Wilde's views on marriage
throughout the play. Courtship and marriage between the upper class doesn't
have anything to do with love and understanding of your partner but keeping the
legacy and name pure for future generation.
Vance analogy of "The importance of
Being Earnest" was in my judgment right on. The upper class would like you
to think that because of their status in society they are superior. Nevertheless,
Wilde cleverly unmask their stupidity and made a mockery of "high
society".
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