The importance of being earnest Flashcards
What does this play expose
Victorian Society for its false notions of superiority, class-counsciousness and status
Why did Wilde write this play?
As a cunning satire, to break free, through its characters and scenarios, of the ethical constraints that society propounds
What is this play also called
A comedy of manners
What is a comedy of manners
a satirical comedy that comments upon the manners and social conventions of a sophisticated, though artificial, society
What has the play been subtitled
A trivial comedy for serious people
“artistically furnished”
related to the artistic movement, which focuses on the idea that one’s actions must serve to create maximal beauty and pleasure in one’s life
“as far as the piano is concerned, sentiment is my forte. I keep science for life.”
- a distinction between science and life
In act one with the piano, forte is…
A play on words:
strength and a music theory term
“Is marriage so demoralizing as that?”
A recurring critique of victorian society suggesting that marriage is a social convenience (not profitable)
This points at a lack of logic in relation to their sense of morality.
“But there is nothing romantic about a definite proposal. Why, one may be accepted.”
example of inversion
What is an inversion
An inversion, not in the sens of altering syntax, but an alteration of a common expression which provides a contrary impression
The Albany=
A famous complex in Piccadily, London
“It produces a false impression”
Irony, since they’re talking about impressions and leading double lives
Dandy=
Someone who is self-made, and strives to imitate an aristocratic background despite being middle-class
Bunburyust=
Term invented by Wilde. A neologism.
“When one is placed in the position of guardian, one has to adopt a very high moral tone on all subjects. It’s one’s duty to do so.”
Irony
“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”
Epigram, a witty saying or remark expressing an idea in a clever or amusing way.
“Literary criticism is not my forte”
One of many jabs at the wealthy. Wilde, meanwhile, was very well educated, but he was a deviant and was once suspended.
Invalid
weak, injured, sick
sent down
to sit next to
“In married life three is company and two is none”
Inversion of the saying “two is company and three is a crowd”
Sententiously
pompously moralizing
cynical
who has a negative view on life, doesn’t trust people
wagnerian
overly dramatic, as one could describe Richard Wagner’s operas
“It would leave no room for developments, and I intend to develop in many directions”
double-entendre, one which is often indecent
Ready money
Readily available, instead of credit.
(Cohen likes the repetion first by Lane and then Algernon bc it adds to the humorous effecct)
“I had some crumpets with Lady Harbury, who seems to me to be living entirely for pleasure now.”
Bc her husband died
“I am going to send you down with Mary Farquhar. She is such a nice woman and”
Subtle foreshadowing
“I think it is high time that Mr Bunbury made up his mind whether he was going to live or die”
- Dying would be freedom for other
- Inversion and dark humour
Expurgations
Removing content that is thought to be objectional and inappropriate
Recumbent
lying down
“A man should always have an occupation of some kind. There are too many idle men in London as is”
Irony, because it is actually women who were expected to stay at home at that time
“The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately, in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever. If it did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes and probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Square”
Sarcasme doubled down by exageration
