How Does Oscar Wilde Use Satire In The Importance Of Being Earnest

Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest tells the story of two gentlemen who lead a double life under the name “Earnest” in order to win the hearts of their love interests.The play premiered in London’s St. James’ Theater in 1895 and is now performed in theaters throughout the world because of its timeless humor and whit. In his play The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde employs the use of satire to convey his criticism towards Victorian society’s views on marriage, deceit and duality, and gender roles.

The entirety of the play was centered around marriage and the pursuit of marriage. Wilde uses satire to display his pessimistic view on marriage proposals. When Jack confesses that he is in love with Gwendolen and intends
An obvious example of deceit comes from the title of the play itself. Both Jack and Alderon tell their lovers that their name is Earnest in order to win their hearts; however, by doing so, they are not being “earnest” but rather, deceitful. Wilde was strategic with this example of word play since names had a significance beyond solely identification in the Victorian era; it represented their status and position in life (Fridell 11). Jack and Algernon deceive those around them and avoid social responsibilities by “Bunburying”, creating imaginary friends who create excuses for their absences. Algernon explains “Bunburying” to Jack when he says “You have invented a very useful younger brother called Earnest, in order that you may be able to come up to town as often as you like. I have invented an invaluable permanent invalid called Bunbury, in order that I may be able to go down into the country whenever I choose.” (Wilde 6). Jack and Algernon lie about everything from their identities to their friends in order to get their way. Cecily summarizes the theme of the play perfectly when she tells Algernon “If you are not [wicked], then you have certainly been deceiving us all in a very inexcusable manner. I hope you have not been leading a double life, pretending to be wicked and being really good all the time. That would be hypocrisy.” (Wilde 24). Cecily’s accusation of Algernon
He incorporates satire in conversations about marriage to expose how much of an unromantic and repulsive affair marriage was. Wilde uses irony to show the extent of which people will lie to avoid responsibility and put on a facade in order to gain the approval of others. The reversal of gender roles serves as another ironic element since Victorian society put a large emphasis on men and women staying within the boundaries of the gender construct. The humorous components of irony and satire are what makes The Importance of Being Earnest a uniquely witty