What Is Lady Bracknell A Social Satire
“If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to.” These words of wisdom were said by Dorothy Parker, an American author. Dorothy is alluding to the same ideas of the upper class of the Victorian Age as Oscar Wilde does in The Importance of Being Earnest. Through Lady Bracknell, a prestigious member of the upper class in The Importance of Being Earnest, Wilde displays his views on the morals and values of the Victorian society. Lady Bracknell is the epitome of the hypocritical, greedy, and insincere wealthy population in England from the time of 1832-1901. Oscar Wilde demonstrates these characteristics in instances such as Lady Bracknell’s reasoning for refusing the marriage of her daughter, Gwendolen, to Jack. Lady Bracknell’s attitude towards
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When Lady Bracknell’s nephew, Algernon, divulges to her the news of his sick friend Bunbury, she responds in the most insincere and selfish manner. Upon witnessing Jack’s proposal to Gwendolen, Lady Bracknell summons Jack to an interview. This interview serves as a way for Lady Bracknell to become knowledgeable of what she viewed as the most important aspects of this man: money, name, land, and occupation. Throughout the interview, Lady Bracknell does not inquire about Jack’s interests, personality, or love for her daughter. Instead, she asks questions such as, “What is your income?” (Wilde 721) and “What number in Belgrave Square?” (Wilde 721). She asks who resides in his house, because names were very important to social status during this time period. Lady Bracknell “shaking her head,” (Wilde 721) after the discovery that his house lay in “the unfashionable side,” (Wilde 721) continues the interview in a dissatisfied manner.
When Lady Bracknell’s nephew, Algernon, divulges to her the news of his sick friend Bunbury, she responds in the most insincere and selfish manner. Upon witnessing Jack’s proposal to Gwendolen, Lady Bracknell summons Jack to an interview. This interview serves as a way for Lady Bracknell to become knowledgeable of what she viewed as the most important aspects of this man: money, name, land, and occupation. Throughout the interview, Lady Bracknell does not inquire about Jack’s interests, personality, or love for her daughter. Instead, she asks questions such as, “What is your income?” (Wilde 721) and “What number in Belgrave Square?” (Wilde 721). She asks who resides in his house, because names were very important to social status during this time period. Lady Bracknell “shaking her head,” (Wilde 721) after the discovery that his house lay in “the unfashionable side,” (Wilde 721) continues the interview in a dissatisfied manner.