Lady Bracknell: […] How old are you?
Jack: Twenty-nine.
Lady Bracknell: A very good age to be married at. I have always been of opinion that a man who desires to get married should know either everything or nothing. Which do you know?
Jack: (after some hesitation): I know nothing, Lady Bracknell.
Lady Bracknell: I am pleased to hear it. I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone. The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever. If it did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Sqare. What is your income? (IBE: 25-26)
As this initial example points out, the function of the dialogue in Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” (“The Importance”) is radically different than in a classical drama. Lady Bracknell’s statements do not really serve to promote the plot. They are discursive, absurd and irrelevant to the context, but at the same time almost philosophical and extremely hilarious and entertaining. What makes “The Importance” a great play is not its sophisticated plot but the multitude of epigrams, paradoxes, non sequiturs and witty repartees which can be found throughout the text. Dialogue has a value in itself and is more important than plot.
Therefore it is not surprising that the antagonisms between the characters are less central then in dramas which rely mainly on the plot.
At first sight, the similarities between the main characters are quite obvious. Algernon and Jack are of the same sex and approximately the same age. They are both handsome bachelors who are in love with a young girl. Similarly, Gwendolen and Cecily also have a lot of things in common. They are young girls who desire to get married, both of them are very beautiful and have an obsession with the name of Ernest. The parallel structure is emphasized by the actions the characters take. At several times, one character simply repeats or puts into other words what someone else has just said. Even the sentence structure is mainly the same.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The male pair: Algernon and Jack
- Similarities
- Differences
- The female pair: Gwendolen and Cecily
- Similarities
- Differences
- Summary
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes the relationships between the main characters in Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest," specifically focusing on the parallels and contrasts between Jack and Algernon, and Gwendolen and Cecily. The analysis utilizes the concept of "minimal pairs" from phonetics to highlight both shared and unique characteristics.
- Character comparison using the "minimal pairs" analogy.
- Analysis of similarities and differences between the male and female pairs.
- Examination of the function of dialogue in Wilde's play.
- Exploration of thematic parallels and contrasts between the characters.
- The role of setting (city vs. country) in shaping character behavior.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis by highlighting the unconventional nature of dialogue in Wilde's play. It contrasts the witty, often irrelevant, and philosophically charged dialogue with the dialogue found in classical drama. The chapter establishes the play's reliance on epigrams, paradoxes, and witty repartee rather than a sophisticated plot to drive the narrative and create humor, introducing the concept of minimal pairs as an analytical framework for examining character relationships.
The male pair: Algernon and Jack: This section delves into a comparative analysis of Algernon and Jack, exploring their similarities and differences. Similarities include their shared age, gender, status as handsome bachelors, and their pursuit of young women. The chapter highlights the parallel actions and even sentence structures in their dialogue. However, differences are also explored, particularly the contrast between Jack's country origins and Algernon's city life, and how these settings impact their respective behaviors and interactions within the play's narrative.
The female pair: Gwendolen and Cecily: This chapter mirrors the previous one, focusing on Gwendolen and Cecily. The analysis draws parallels between the two women, such as their shared desire for marriage, beauty, and obsession with the name "Ernest." The chapter also examines the parallel actions and dialogue between these characters and draws connections to the similarities and differences explored in the analysis of the male pair. Through these comparisons, the chapter strengthens the use of the "minimal pairs" model as a useful lens for exploring character relationships.
Keywords
Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, minimal pairs, character analysis, dialogue, epigram, paradox, witty repartee, similarities, differences, city versus country, gender roles, comedy of manners.
Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest": A Comprehensive Analysis
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of an academic paper analyzing the relationships between the main characters in Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest." It includes the table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the main characters analyzed in this paper?
The paper focuses on the relationships between Jack and Algernon (the male pair) and Gwendolen and Cecily (the female pair).
What is the central analytical approach used in the paper?
The analysis utilizes the concept of "minimal pairs" from phonetics. This approach highlights both shared and unique characteristics between the characters, allowing for a detailed comparison of their similarities and differences.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
The key themes include character comparison using the "minimal pairs" analogy, analysis of similarities and differences between the male and female pairs, examination of the function of dialogue in Wilde's play, exploration of thematic parallels and contrasts between the characters, and the role of setting (city vs. country) in shaping character behavior.
What are the chapter summaries included in the preview?
The preview includes summaries of the introduction, the chapter analyzing Jack and Algernon, and the chapter analyzing Gwendolen and Cecily. The introduction establishes the analytical framework and context. The character analysis chapters delve into the similarities and differences within each pair, using the "minimal pairs" concept.
What are the key similarities and differences highlighted between the male pair (Jack and Algernon)?
Similarities between Jack and Algernon include their shared age, gender, status as handsome bachelors, and pursuit of young women. Differences include Jack's country origins versus Algernon's city life, and how these settings impact their behaviors and interactions.
What are the key similarities and differences highlighted between the female pair (Gwendolen and Cecily)?
Similarities between Gwendolen and Cecily include their shared desire for marriage, beauty, and obsession with the name "Ernest." The analysis draws parallels in their actions and dialogue, connecting them to the similarities and differences observed in the male pair.
What keywords are associated with this academic analysis?
Keywords include Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, minimal pairs, character analysis, dialogue, epigram, paradox, witty repartee, similarities, differences, city versus country, gender roles, and comedy of manners.
What is the overall structure of the academic paper?
The paper is structured with an introduction, a section analyzing the male pair, a section analyzing the female pair, and a concluding summary. The analysis uses the concept of "minimal pairs" to compare and contrast the characters systematically.
What type of dialogue is characteristic of Wilde's play, according to the preview?
The preview highlights the unconventional nature of Wilde's dialogue, characterized by wit, irrelevance, philosophical depth, epigrams, paradoxes, and witty repartee, contrasting with classical drama.
- Quote paper
- Martin Lehmannn (Author), 2004, Jack and Algernon, Gwendolen and Cecily: Two "minimal pairs", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/25206
