Choose one of the following questions to respond to. Your response should be at least two paragraphs long. Respond in a well-organized essay written in complete sentences. a. Explain the significance of the full title of the play: The Importance of Being Earnest (A Trivial Comedy for Serious People). Discuss the meaning of the word earnest and the name Ernest as well as how Wilde communicates his message regarding trivial and serious matters. Use examples from the play. b. How is the consumption of food used as a symbol in the play? What does food stand for in the play? How does Oscar Wilde use symbolism in his social commentary? Use examples from the play to support your answer.
In Oscar Wilde's play The Importance of Being Earnest (A Trivial Comedy for Serious People), the full title holds significant meaning in exploring the themes of triviality and seriousness. The word "earnest" is a key term in the play, as it not only serves as a pun for the name "Ernest," which the characters use as an alias, but also conveys the idea of sincerity, honesty, and truth. Throughout the play, the characters navigate the balance between living frivolously and acting with genuine sincerity, highlighting the dichotomy between the trivial and the serious.
Wilde effectively communicates his message regarding trivial and serious matters through the actions and dialogue of the characters. For example, the character Algernon Moncrieff embodies the triviality and frivolity of the upper class, as seen in his flippant attitude towards marriage and his deceitful nature. On the other hand, the character Jack Worthing represents the seriousness and honesty that the title alludes to, as he struggles to maintain a facade of respectability while also engaging in deceptive behavior. Through these characters, Wilde satirizes the societal expectations placed on the wealthy elite and critiques the superficiality of their concerns.
Additionally, the consumption of food serves as a powerful symbol in the play, representing the characters' indulgent lifestyles and their preoccupation with appearances. For example, in Act II, Lady Bracknell's obsession with cucumber sandwiches becomes a metaphor for her shallow priorities and superficial concerns. The characters' constant focus on food and dining etiquette highlights their triviality and insincerity, as they prioritize material pleasures over genuine human connections.
Overall, Wilde uses symbolism in The Importance of Being Earnest to comment on the superficiality and hypocrisy of the upper class in Victorian society. By juxtaposing trivial matters with serious themes of honesty and sincerity, Wilde invites the audience to reflect on the true nature of human relationships and the importance of being earnest in one's actions and intentions.