Carson, Kelsi, Dominic, and Claudia
Dramatic Irony ➢ Algernon: Yes; poor Bunbury is dreadfully invalid (page 13 Act I) ○ Bunbury is used as an excuse to not dine with Lady Bracknell. ○ Shows Deceit in the play ➢ Cecily: I beg your pardon, Gwendolen, did you say Earnest? ( page 39 Act II) ○ Ironic because neither of them are named Earnest at this point ○ Shows satire as both women are in love with a name not the man.
Allusion to Shakespeare ➢ Gwendolen: Whenever people talk to me about the weather, I always feel quite certain that mean something else (page 14 Act I) ○ Shakespeare uses weather in his plays to convey different motif such as in Macbeth to give the feeling something is wrong ➢ Gwendolen: No, there is very little music in the name Jack, if any at all. (page 15 Act I) ○ Seemingly a reference to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
Symbolism ➢ “The Double Life” The symbolism of the double life relates to the actions of Jack and, by comparison, Algernon. This idea of a double life ○ represents a style of hypocrisy, especially within the upper class, in relation to how these two men have the public appearance of being virtuous and rightful men. They consider these two be important to their social standing, yet they willinging use lies in order to lead another life without the restraints that their social expectations leave on them. There is a difference though. Jack lies about his identity when he basically goes off the wagon, allowing him to continue to hold himself to the high standards of the upper class while still pursuing his more worldly desires. This shows a greater degree of hypocrisy when compared to Algernon, with him deliberately hiding his true self in order to protect his public image, while being in high standing with the elite. ➢ Food Food is present in multiple parts of the play, playing a role mostly in the conflict that the characters get into with each other, ○ being a source or fuel of many arguments. The main symbolic presence of the food is to be a substitute for the indulgences and vices of the main characters, specifically sex. Some of the actions taken by the characters, as well as arguments seem to center around food the same way that it would sex. Such as the description of Jack eating the bread and butter with Algernon saying “Well, my dear fellow, you need not eat as if you were going to eat it all. You behave as if you were married to her already.”. I see it as taking a jab at the more conservative attitudes of the times, especially towards the subject of sex. L ike food, there is considered a proper time to induldge in it, though it is everywhere in society.
Marxist Two Themes Society and Class ➢ The Upper Class in the story are very arrogant and pretentious, seeing themselves as more virtuous and righteous than those that exist below them. They feel entitled to their wealth and influence, and work to maintain the status quo. This goes to the extent that nearly any sign of someone not being on the same level as them, they will always look down upon them, such as when Lady Bracknell looks down upon Jack, someone who is also a member of the aristocrats, because he was not born an aristocrat, being adopted when he was but a baby. Respect and Reputation ➢ The Upper Class care about their reputation so much, that they will lie about who they really are, or what they are really doing, in order to keep it intact and be looked upon as people worthy of being respected by their peers. The main conflict in the play comes from the main characters, though all being members themselves of the upper class, trying to prove themselves to be respectable to Lady Bracknell and to each other, though they are in actuality most certainly not.
Freudian Analysis of Identity Identity- personal name refers specifically to one individual and who they are 1. Identity is correlated with societal views of an individual, ambiguity in what that means is then determined by an individual Implications of authors background Title- ambious suggestions of name or action Gwendolyn says, “We live in an age of ideals . . . and my ideal has always been to love some one of the name of Ernest. . . . The only really safe name is Ernest.” Trust in Relationships 2. Invent alternative identities in order to escape the mundane responsibilities of their everyday lives as well as the conservative social code of Victorian England. Bunburying Jack's “brother” Ernest
Feminist Analysis of Aristocal Gender Roles the Western world is fundamentally patriarchal (i.e., created by men, ruled by men, viewed through the eyes of men, and judged by men) . 1. Women are correlated with ideals of disorder and criticism Criticizes societies confinement of women through strong female characters Gwendolen and Cecily with the tea Strong willed women- contrast the cover in identity for the men 2. Men are not always forced to put up with a facade of inherently masculine Dandy men- cover up as the author of who he is, due to male assumed hierarchy amongst aristocracy Criticizing confinement
Video Clip Discussion Questions In what ways is image important to the upper class during the Victorian era? In what ways does Gwendolen’s reaction to Cecily giving her tea and cake comment on more than the exterior situation? How is this different in each film? Is there a reason why the director chose which of the two men came first? Examine the phrase “Pretty little head” through a feminist lens in this scene. How is the concern of identity expressed differently in these two films when the women find out the truth?
The Importance of Being Earnest Video Clips 1986 (4:19-7:30): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyIm353dsaw 2002: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwx74IfTNwo
Discussion In what ways is image important to the upper class during the Victorian era? In what ways does Gwendolen’s reaction to Cecily giving her tea and cake comment on more than the exterior situation? How is this different in each film? Is there a reason why the director chose which of the two men came first? Examine the phrase “Pretty little head” through a feminist lens in this scene. How is the concern of identity expressed differently in these two films when the women find out the truth?
Works Cited Allred, Kelli Frost. "The Importance of The Importance of Being Earnest." RSS. Utah Shakespeare Festival, n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2016. "Importance of Being Earnest, The - Multiple Critical Perspectives." Prestwick House, n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2016. "The Importance of Being Earnest (1986). Part 8 of 11." YouTube . YouTube, 25 Nov. 2008. Web. 16 Mar. 2016. "The Importance of Being Earnest (8/12) Movie CLIP - Algernon and Jack Are Exposed (2002) HD." YouTube . Movieclips, 29 Sept. 2011. Web. 16 Mar. 2016.
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