UPPER CLASS LIFESTYLE IN OSCAR WILDE'S THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

UPPER CLASS LIFESTYLE IN OSCAR WILDE’S THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

By Atikah Rahmawati

Abstract 

In this essay the writer try to analyze a drama, entitled The Importance of Being Earnest written by Oscar Wilde. The purpose of this writing is to analyze the upper class lifestyle of British society in Victorian era reflected in the drama. Theory and methodology that will be used to analyze this drama are close reading and textual theory. From analyzing the drama, the writer presents upper-class that the upper-class society’s daily life was important for maintaining their social status. 

Keyword: Oscar Wilde, Victorian Era, Upper Class Lifestyle

1. Introduction

The Important of Being Earnest is a farcical comedy play taking place within the social conventions of late Victorian London. The major theme of the play is the treats of marriage and social lifestyle of Victorian society. Contemporary reviews praised the play as humor though there are implicit of social messages that resulting satire of Victorian society.

 

2. Methodology

To analyze this drama, the writer use close-reading method.

3. Research Object

The object of the research are sorted into material and formal object. Material object of this essay is a play The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. While the formal object of this essay is the upper class lifestyle  for maintaining their social status.

4. Biography and Summary

Biography

Oscar Wilde, born in October 16, 1854, was an Irish playwright, novelist, essayist, and poet and became one of English most popular playwright. His masterpiece are The Importance of Being Earnest, De Profundis, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and his last work, The Ballad of Reading Gaol¸ a long poem he wrote before he died in Paris at the in November 20, 1900.

Summary

Jack Worthing, a young gentlemen uses his fictitious brother, “Ernest”, to leave his home in journey to London where his close friend Algernon Mocrieff lives in luxury. Algernon or Algy has a cousin, Gwendolen Fairfax, whom Jack is deeply in love. Jack has convince Gwendolen mother, Lady Bracknell, who care about man’s background. One day, when all of the characters stay at Jack’s house, it is revealed that Jack is the son of Lady Bracknell’s sister.

Discussion

The Importance of Being Earnest reveals the differences between the behavior of the upper class and that of the lower class. Members of the upper class display a great deal of pride and pretense, feeling that they are inherently entitled to their wealth and higher social position. They are so preoccupied with maintaining the status quo that they quickly squash any signs of rebellion. In this play, Wilde satirizes the arrogance and hypocrisy of the aristocracy.

The aristocratic Victorians valued duty and respectability above all else. Appearance was everything, and style was much more important than substance. So, while a person could lead a secret life, carry on affairs within marriage, society would look the other way as long as the appearance of propriety was maintained. For this reason, Gwendolen is the paragon of this value. Her marriage proposal must be performed correctly, and her brother even practices correct proposals. Gwendolen's aristocratic attitude is "In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing." The trivial is important; the serious is overlooked.

As her daughter, Lady Bracknell, like other aristocrats, is too busy worrying about her own life, the advantages of her daughter's marriage, and her nephew to feel any compassion for others. Gwendolen, learning from her mother, is totally self-absorbed and definite about what she wants. She tells Cecily, "I never travel without my diary. One should have something sensational to read in the train." It seems to be taking to task a social class that thinks only of itself, showing little compassion or sympathy for the trials of those less fortunate.

 6. Conclusion

This play criticizes the Victorians for believing that appearance is much more important than truth. Oscar Wilde takes the opportunity to insert many examples of popular thought, revealing bias, social bigotry, thoughtlessness and blind assumptions.