Introductory
The play first appeared in 1895. The full title of the play reads as thus, "The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People". Oscar Wilde mainly wrote this play to satirize and mock the hollow morality of the Victorian society where money, love and marriage are "earnestly" interlinked. Basically, The Importance of Being Earnest is a story of concealing identities for the attainment of the desired ladies. The whole story is highlighted through the themes of money, love and marriage.
Theme of Wealth
Wealth plays a central role in determining one's social status. People with a hefty amount of money are respected more than the ones who can hardly make both ends meal. It was the amount of wealth which divided the people of Victorian England in three, the upper class, middle class and lower class. The mentality of the upper class is revealed through Lady Bracknell who is looking for the husband for her daughter if he happens to possess some cash. There are two other requirements as well [which we will see in the Marriage section] but the silvery coins do shine to blind the upper class.
Theme of Love
Love, in this play sees itself romantically than the love which is promoted through spiritual or sensual branch. Love is depicted as superficial and as a mean to fulfil personal interests [in terms of Lady Bracknell who wants her nephew Jack to marry someone attractive and rich]. For instance, Cecily falls in love with [the fake Ernest] through rumors from other people and Gwendolen plans to love Ernest because it is his 'name' which fills her with feelings of love!
Love, in terms of the plot of the play develops quite romantically [and comically in the end]. At first, we see Gwendolen and Jack already in love but they are fighting against the social obstacles to achieve their goal of marriage. Cecily and Algernon fall in love with each other at first sight and they also have to fight against the hurdles propped by the society against them. Dr. Chasuble and Miss Prism have clearly admired each other but they feel shy to show their love for them. In short, love in this drama is not self-sacrificing but it is shown for admiration, attention and pure affection.
Theme of Marriage
Marriage for older Victorians was a mean to receive a partner who would feed the other financially well, who would give the other a well quoted title in the society. The upper class asks the questions like, "State your name, rank, and serial number." [here serial number means the amount of salary] to ensure that their son-in-law has the three Cs, (Cash, Character and Class). Jack was about to be accepted as a husband for Gwendolen but he was rejected as his class was unknown to everyone, including him.
Many characters hold different perspectives for marriage. For example, Dr. Chasuble and Miss Prism, although they are old, but they marry for the sake of love, not for the sake of social status or wealth as most older Victorians [like Lady Bracknell] did. Algernon values marriage as a skepticism towards committing to only one woman as compared to Jack who has more traditional attitude of the typical nineteenth century on marriage.
Conclusion
The Importance of Being Earnest successfully satirizes the Victorian traditions through the themes debated above. Both love and marriage feed on wealth and social status in the Victorian society.
Sources, References and Citations
- https://www.gradesaver.com/the-importance-of-being-earnest/study-guide/themes
- https://www.coursehero.com/lit/The-Importance-of-Being-Earnest/themes/
- https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-importance-of-being-earnest/themes
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Importance_of_Being_Earnest?oldformat=true
- https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/literature/importance-of-being-earnest/themes
- https://sites.udel.edu/britlitwiki/social-life-in-victorian-england/
