The Importance of Being Earnest: Oscar Wilde’s use of satire
Q. How does Oscar Wilde use satire to criticize the societal norms and values of his time in the play?
Answer: Oscar Wild drama 'The Importance of Being Ernest' is a fierce sarcastic comment on Victorian society's beliefs and values. This drama satirizes the social ideals of that era, hypocrisy and upper hypocrites. Wilde has highlighted the double standards and fake ideals of the society.
Satire on society's pretence
Satire on social pretence - pretence had special significance in the Victorian society. Wilde showed through the characters in this drama that people give importance to appearances more than truth. Characters such as Jack and Algernon fulfill their desires by creating false identity. The use of the name 'Ernest' is also a symbol that pretends honesty, while the characters actually resort to lies. Wilde is satirized that name and prestige in society have immense importance, whether it is real or fake.
Satire on marriage and love
Wilde considers marriage to be a means of social prestige and economic benefit. Characters such as Jack and Algernon see marriage as a game. Lady Bracknell's vessel especially represents this thinking. She sees marriage like a social deal in which love has no place. Wilde, while satirizing this mentality, showed that the real purpose of marriage in the society has been lost.
Satire on morality and hypocrisy
Ethics had immense importance in the Victorian era, but Wilde showed that this morality was followed only for showing. The characters of the play live dual lives, where on the one hand they claim to be idealistic; on the other hand they chase their personal pleasures. For example, Algernon's 'own will' shows how people resort to lies to avoid their duties.
Satire on social class and prestige
Wilde has also satirized the social class and prestige. The character of Lady Bracknell exposes the hypocritical thinking of the upper class. She only takes into account economic and social gains and does not give any importance to love or human feelings. When Jack was orphans, his hatred and ridicule regarding Algernon's 'Victorian ideals' makes it clear that more importance than human values in society was of social reputation.
Satire through language and dialogue
Wilde has also presented language and dialogue sarcastically. The dialogues are filled with contradictions and satirical comments. For example, when Lady Bracknell asks the background of Jack, she forgets that even in the upper class there are many hypocritical people. Wilde showed through dialogues that external appearances in society are given priority.
Thus, in 'The Importance of Being Ernest', Oscar Wilde has satirized the hypocrisy of society, showing the hypocrisy, showing and hollowness of morality. Through the play, he made it clear that in the Victorian society, more showing was given importance than reality. This drama of Wild is not only entertaining but also highlights the bitter truth of society.
Short Questions and Answers
Q 1: Which society has satirized in 'The Importance of Being Ernest' by Oscar Wilde?
Answer: Oscar Wilde has satirized the beliefs and values of Victorian society in 'The Importance of Being Ernest'.
Q 2: How is the satirical on the appearance of society in the play?
Answer: In the play, satire on the show's appearance has been done in such a way that the characters fulfill their desires by creating false identity. The use of the name 'Ernest', despite being a symbol of honesty, resorts to lies.
Q 3: How is marriage and love presented by Wilde in a sarcastic form?
Answer: Wilde considers marriage to be a means of social prestige and economic benefit. The eligible sees marriage as a game and do not have any place of love.
Q 4: How is the satire on morality and hypocrisy in the play?
Answer: Ethics in drama is followed only for showing. The characters live dual lives and resort to lies for their pleasures. Algernon's 'Own will' is an example of this.
Q 5: In the play, give an example of satire on social class and prestige.
Answer: The character of Lady Bracknell highlights the hypocritical thinking of the upper class. She only focuses on economic and social gains and does not give any importance to human feelings.
Q 6: How has Oscar Wilde presented satire through language and dialogue?
Answer: Wilde has filled contradictions and satirical comments in dialogues. Through dialogues, he showed that external appearances in society are given priority.
Q 7: What is the main message of the play?
Answer: The main message of the play is that in the Victorian society, more showing was given importance than reality. Wilde has satirized the hollowness of hypocrisy and morality.
Q 8: What is the symbolic significance of the name 'Ernest' in the play?
Answer: The name 'Ernest' is a symbol of honesty, but the characters use this name for lies and deception. It satirizes the double standards and appearances of the society.
Q 9: Which side of the Victorian society exposes the character of Lady Bracknell?
Answer: The vessel of the Lady Bracknell exposes the hypocritical and upper appearances of the Victorian society. She sees marriage and social prestige only as economic and social benefits.
Q 10: Why is morality followed in the play only for showing?
Answer: In the Victorian society, morality was followed only to maintain social reputation. In reality people used to resort to lies to personal pleasures, as is clear from Elgarnan's 'Own will'.
Q 11: How is the thinking of the upper class satirized in the play?
Answer: The play in the play has satirized the high class thinking by the character of Lady Bracknell. She considers economic and social benefits to be paramount and does not give importance to human sentiments.
Q 12: How is satire used in the dialogues of the play?
Answer: The dialogues of the play are filled with contradictions and satirical comments, which highlight the show and hypocrisy of the society. The dialogues clearly have shown the double standards of the characters.
Q 13: Why is the importance of social reputation shown in the play?
Answer: Social prestige in Victorian society was considered paramount. People used to resort to lies and hypocrisy for name and prestige. This shows that more showing was given importance in society than reality.
Q 14: What was the main objective of Oscar Wilde through this drama?
Answer: The main objective of the Oscar Wilde was to criticize the hypocrisy and appearance of the Victorian society. He highlighted the double standards and hollow morality of the society through drama.
Q 15: What message is given at the end of the play?
Answer: At the end of the play, the message has been given that in society, more appearances are given importance than reality. Wilde made it clear that hypocrisy and upper appearance cannot give true happiness and satisfaction.
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