Leave questions and comments concerning The Importance of Being Earnest here.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
The Importance of Being Earnest
Leave questions and comments concerning The Importance of Being Earnest here.
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23 comments:
A lot of the things that I think were supposed to be puns and be funny I didn't really get, I'm not sure I understand this humor. It kind of just went over my head. I did like the story a lot though. I did get the title and it's signifigance and irony of it being the actual name of the main character Jack.
It's okay if you don't get every joke -- some of them are very British and very much about the time period, but there are plenty that you should get.
I agree with you on that Carmen. I think if I knew a little background info about the time period I might have understood some more of the humor. Aside from that fact though I thought that the play was very entertaining and quite humorous. I enjoyed that Wilde had the boldness to create a work in which he laid it all on the line to satirize the utter ridiculousness of the society he lived in.
I really enjoyed reading this story because of all of the obvious humor that Wilde used. My favorite character in the story is Algernon because he is so witty and clever and all of his comments are outrageously funny! I believe that Algernon is the true hero of the story because, not only does his personality resemble Wilde's personality, but his character also helps shape and mold the story into what it is: a hilarious and satirical account of the Victoria era. The ending was my favorite part because of the clever twist it obtained.
I found this play to be quite entertaining. Wilde is very creative in exposing the awful truth about how ridiculous the upper class is during the Victorian era. I find it ironic that these "elites" of the upper class have such simple and trivial conversations. When it seems like Algernon is going to talk about "science of Life", he merely asks for a cucumber sandwich. It is apparent that Wilde views upper class marriages as erroneous because of the values they are set upon. I like how Wilde can display these truths and still make the play light hearted. What would have made the play better was for Algernon to find out his name was also Ernest but that didn't happen...I don't know if Cecily can love someone named Algernon.
As I read this story I was imagining it as the play onstage and how it would be presented along with the characters in their British accent. Thanks to you Mr. harris for that new habit. I loved the quote by Algernon in which he said " All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his." I found the humor in this play to differ from (in my pov) slapstick to comedic due to the fact that instead of blurting out short and witty lines with no context, he chose the lines and then added lengths of dialogue and subtext to back up the witty lines and create memorable scenes.
I already knew about this book before hand, but when I actually read the whole thing, it struck me as hilarious and a tad sexist. Algernon was a funny character and he delivered some very funny lines like "The only way to behave to a woman is to make love to her, if she is pretty, and to someone else, if she is not" This particular line shows how superficial the people were, but it also makes a connection to our time period. People now days are SO superfical and only want the most "in" things. Everyone has to have the "right" name, the "right" food, and the "right" addresses. This book shows the parrallels of past times with our times. Which is why this book is a classic since anyone anywhere can take something from the book and make a connection to their life. People all around can find a Algernon, a "Ernest", a Cecily, and a Gwendolen in them.
The book as a whole was airy and carefree in nature. Wilde was not afraid to purge into the very essence of the Victorian era and poke at the absurdity of the 1st class citizens' lack of seriousness. The humor in the book was very clear and, as is proper in a lampoon, very sarcastically jocular. I do find the title funny because of how both Cecile and Gwendolen both idolize the name Ernest and the ironic ending of Jack actually being Ernest. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.. However, the one thing I felt didn't belong with the book was that the book ended with everyone just merry and no one is left hanging... Also, how everyone went back on their words... All of them hate to admit that they are wrong and say that they are right 100%. I love the 4th act tho.. the one thats taken out? and Algernon has to pay the bill and all? Absolutely hilarious. It was my kind of ending for this kind of book. Although I enjoy happy endings, this is one book that should've either kept the 4th act or ended it in the same way the 4th act did.
This was actually really funny all the way through. I liked how some of the most important lines are paired with an insincere tone while the insignificant ones are so serious. This just helped emphasize them and their meaning for me. Although Algernon and Jack are grown men, they acutally seem somewhat naive about the "real world" and marriage, living their lives on lies. Now after both have become earnest, it would most likely create a domino effect and change their views on marriage and everything else.
This play is very entertaining, with the goofy characters. I enjoyed the struggle of Jack/Ernest for Gwendolen to be his wife. The author's addition of the character Algenon helped contreat Jack's views on life and love for a rather enjoyable storyline. This play just seems to entrap the reader into the plot, getting the reader to keep wonder what twist would happen next.
Nolan, what a sophisticated comment! This play definitely grabbed and held my attention from start to finish. Wilde does a great job of amalgamating humor and drama. One of my favorite parts of the play is when Jack tells them his brother Ernest was dead. I liked it because it marks the start of all of his troubles and is where the title is shown its truest colors, not only the importance of being earnest, but also the importance of being Ernest. Overall, this play was interesting and very humor filled. A great read Mr. Harris!
The word 'earnest' as an adjective has a few meanings, but the one that most pertains to this book is "serious;important." The title is ironic, because the play is obviously farcical- almost as absurd as the society Wilde is lampooning. "The Importance of being Serious"- funny, because Wilde does take his playfulness seriously.
No one has quoted my favorite line yet...
(Thanks, Wright. I try to only pick things that are worthwhile.)
I thought this was definitely the best of the three things we had to read. I liked Wilde's style and how he used the short funny conversations and situations to show how ridiculous life during this time period was. I also liked how he satirized everything from marriage to small things like first impressions and how people dealt with stress. Overall I thought it was a very entertaining play that truelly showed how crazy life was then.
If i had to pick 2 out of the book to be my favorite quotes, it would have to be:
1) “… Literary criticism is not your forte, my dear fellow. Don’t try it. You should leave that to people who haven’t been at a University. They do it so well in the daily papers.” –Algernon- (pg. 123)
2) “… the truth is rarely pure and never simple. Modern life would be very tedious if it were either, and modern literature a complete impossibility.”–Algernon- (pg. 122)
very hilarious quotes. And i understand the REAL title (as to seeing how i misunderstood the title the first time around) is that. I believe that the importance of being earnest is because to tell the truth and be honest about everything is good, leading not to anything bad, like failure at getting a girl,.
By far my favorite of the three reads this summer. I found this play to be very funny. I got this feeling around Act 2 that I knew where the story would go, but it was so enticing that I had to continue on! Great read!
why thank you john wright gazaway. While letting this play marinate in my mind for a few days , i wanted to know Mr. Harris if majority of Wilde's plays have these comedic aspects to it or is this play his one and only shot a good hearted laugh? I also appreciate the variety you have given us this summer in the different styles of brighton rock, canterbuery, and earnest
While I have to say that Brighton Rock was my favorite of the three, I think this was still a great book, indeed. I loved the comedy in it and enjoyed reading through each sections. I found the "Bunburying" to be especially humorous, I must admit.
This was definitely my favorite assignment of the three.... I found myself laughing at almost every page. Jack was hilarious and Algernon's antics left me laughing to the point where my grandparents in the other room asked what show i was watching, to which i replied, "i'm not, i'm doing AP homework..." to which they muttered something about kids these days or something. :):)
glad i understood one of the books this summer! the other two threw me a bit for a loop...
I agree with Eric that this was the best of the three. I enjoyed the complete ridiculousness, just as everyone else did. My favorite quote was "Women never marry the men they flirt with." So true. Also shows that it's what's on the inside that counts.
Nolan, While this play is typical of Wilde's style (other plays do similar things), it is by far is most widely read and often produced.
The creative satire of the Victorian class proved to carry the play for me to the very end. This was my favorite read of the three this summer and was truly entertaining.
I must say, this now has to be one of my favorite plays- I enjoyed it through and through and thought Wilde's wit and ingenuity to be a breath of fresh air when compared to Greene's intensive and demanding Brighton. I shall have to explore more of Wilde's pieces in my free time in the near future.
Justin Gee
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