LRJ #2 - The Importance of Being Earnest

Sarita Beekie
Ms. Peifer
10 IB - Hour 5
5 May 2009

LRJ #2 - The Importance of Being Earnest

The mishaps in The Importance of Being Earnest were (quite naturally) meant to be comical, but were also intended to entice the readers as to how these mishaps will eventually resolve.

Gwendolen doesn't necessarily fit into the mold of the stereotypical nineteenth century lady, however, Gwendolen doesn't completely defy the role of a stereotypical nineteenth century lady, either. True, she initiates Jack's proposal for her hand in marriage and secretly rejects her mother's ideas on whom she will marry, but at the same time, she has Jack propose to her (because it would've been shocking for a lady to propose to a man at the time), and she doesn't defy her mother outright, but "beats around the bush" to make secret plans with Jack, instead (because it would've been very rude [as well as inconvenient] for a lady of her standing to defy her mother for a man's whose lineage is a mystery). Lady Bracknell, on the other hand, epitomizes the stereotypical nineteenth century lady to the point it is comical (which is usually characteristic of comedies, and all). What's better (or worse) is that Lady Bracknell seems to take on all of the "less flattering" characteristics of the stereotypical nineteenth century lady (which is where satire plays its part in The Importance of Being Earnest) which is evident when she tells Jack, "I feel bound to tell you that you are not down on my list of eligible young men...However, I am quite ready to enter your name" (Wilde i) and then proceeds to ask him of his income and lineage.