This paper will identify certain types of characters of the upper-class and relate them to the developments of the gender role in the Victorian era. Going along with it the men´s different attitudes towards marriage as a constantly present issue in the play will be illustrated and compared to the points of view that dominated the high society in that time. Wilde refers to many more social habits and temporary fashions which however shall not be part of this paper.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Victorian concepts of womanhood
and the counterparts in Wilde´s play
2.1. Historical background and change of concepts
2.2. Cecily
2.3. Gwendolen
3. Appearance and reality of marriage
3.1. Victorian concept of marriage
3.2. Algernon´s view of marriage
3.3. Jack´s view of marriage
3.4. Lady Bracknell´s view of marriage
4. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines Oscar Wilde’s play "The Importance of Being Earnest" as a critical reflection of late Victorian gender constructs and societal norms regarding marriage, illustrating how Wilde utilizes comedic exaggeration to expose the artifice of high-society conventions.
- The evolution of Victorian female archetypes and the emergence of the "New Woman".
- The performative nature of marriage and its role as a social and economic transaction.
- Character motivations and the subversion of traditional gender roles in the upper class.
- The interplay between appearance, social expectations, and personal sincerity in the Victorian era.
- Analysis of Wilde's linguistic puns as metaphors for social morality.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1. Historical background and change of concepts
In many early and mid Victorian novels men are depicted as villains who “take advantage of women at the slightest opportunity. Women must be continually in their guard, and this is what most of their education is about.” (Calder, 16) In the last two decades of the 19th century however, the concept of the female role was questioned and gradually changed in some aspects, mainly concerning the marriage issue. This can notably been seen in The Story of an African Farm by Olive Schreiner or The Woman Who Did by Grant Allen, amongst others. In both novels the heroine refuses matrimony in order to stay self-contained or to evade the concept of marriage which she takes as degrading. Thus new female concepts evolve besides the already existing Angel in the house which embodies the emotional and caring (house)wife, and the ingénue, which combines sexual innocence with restricted intelligence: The femme fatal and the fallen woman. Both concepts undermine the female asexuality which used to go with the elder images of women. (cf. Schneider, 179)“Die Figurenkonzeption der New Woman war jedoch weder eine rein literarische Erfindung,“ (Schneider, 309) nor an analogy of reality. It rather illustrated the gradual and often selective developments in society.
Going along with it, the concept of the gentleman also changes slightly or rather becomes less desirable for the upper class. The “ideal type of manhood – serious, conscientious and morally impeccable [...] became less attractive to high Society [sic], though they still governed the outward behavior of the majority of upper-class Englishmen.” (Margretson, 91)
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the cultural context of the Victorian era and the play’s role as a social critique through the lens of a comedy of manners.
2. Victorian concepts of womanhood and the counterparts in Wilde´s play: This section contrasts historical female archetypes, such as the 'Angel in the House', with the specific character portrayals of Cecily and Gwendolen.
2.1. Historical background and change of concepts: This chapter details the shift in gender roles during the late 19th century and the emergence of new literary depictions of women.
2.2. Cecily: This chapter analyzes Cecily's girlish, idealized view of romance and her adherence to Victorian perfectionism.
2.3. Gwendolen: This chapter explores Gwendolen's urban, sophisticated perspective and her defiance of traditional female submissiveness.
3. Appearance and reality of marriage: This section investigates the broader societal view of marriage as a central Victorian institution.
3.1. Victorian concept of marriage: This chapter defines the historical importance of marriage regarding social rank, duty, and the preservation of domestic order.
3.2. Algernon´s view of marriage: This chapter examines Algernon's cynical and dandyish rejection of conventional matrimonial morality.
3.3. Jack´s view of marriage: This chapter discusses Jack's conflict between his sense of duty as a gentleman and his romantic desires.
3.4. Lady Bracknell´s view of marriage: This chapter focuses on Lady Bracknell as the enforcer of rigid, status-oriented matrimonial standards.
4. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes how the play reflects the hypocrisy of the era through the subversion of gender functions and the artificiality of social ideals.
Keywords
Victorian era, Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, Gender roles, Marriage, Social critique, Comedy of manners, New Woman, Angel in the House, High society, Matrimony, Social status, Dandyism, Victorian conventions, Gender concepts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
This paper explores how Oscar Wilde uses his play "The Importance of Being Earnest" to mirror and criticize the gender roles and societal marriage conventions of the late Victorian era.
Which social groups are examined in this study?
The study primarily focuses on the upper-class Victorian society, represented by characters such as Lady Bracknell, Jack, Algernon, Gwendolen, and Cecily.
What is the main research question or goal?
The goal is to analyze how the characters in the play represent or deviate from the prevailing gender and marriage ideals of their time, particularly focusing on the clash between appearance and reality.
What scientific or academic methods are applied?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, contextualizing the play within the historical and sociological framework of the late Victorian period using secondary source references.
What aspects of marriage are covered in the main body of the text?
The main body investigates the transition from traditional, status-driven marriage expectations to the evolving, more personal interpretations of marriage reflected by the 'new men and women' of the late 19th century.
What are the characterizing keywords of the research?
The key themes include Victorian social conventions, gender roles, marriage as a commodity, the 'New Woman' archetype, and the performative nature of high-society life.
How does the author interpret the name "Ernest" within the play?
The author identifies "Ernest" as a symbolic name representing virtues like honesty and reliability, which the male characters use to uphold an artificial persona in the eyes of their love interests.
What role does Lady Bracknell play in the analysis of marriage?
Lady Bracknell is portrayed as the guardian of traditional Victorian values, emphasizing that marriage is primarily a matter of property, prestige, and family alliance rather than love.
How does the paper differentiate between the characters of Cecily and Gwendolen?
The paper contrasts Cecily’s rural, dreamy, and perfectionist nature with Gwendolen’s urban, cynical, and more assertive personality to show different reactions to the constraints of Victorian womanhood.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Mareike Paulun (Autor:in), 2011, On Oscar Wilde´s "The Importance of Being Earnest", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/179328
