Discussion of The Misanthrope and The Importance of Being Earnest
A central theme that runs throughput this play and which forms the basis of this discussion is the issue of the compromise between the critique of the fallacies and pretensions of society and the need to ameliorate these criticisms with false praise and lies in order to make society bearable and functional. This sense of compromise and balance between the realities of social life and societal foibles is one of the central themes expressed in this comedy. It should be remembered that in the genre of the comedy of manners, while society is being satirized and critiqued, it is the natural quality of comedy to soften this criticism and makes us laugh at ourselves and the society that is being exposed. The question of balance between the extremes of the truthful exposure of lies and deceit and social compromise is explored in the play largely through the character of Alceste and the way that he interacts with the other characters in the play. In essence this comedy reveals the hypocrisy in the court and the lives of the upper-classes at the time. In the opening scene there is a conversation between Alceste and Philinte. Alceste is very clear about his dislike and distrust of the motives that people have in
This includes aspects such as social ideals and expectations that are associated with the name Ernest, with its connotations of the socially desirable qualities in society of earnestness and sincerity. He has the characteristic of people who like to be candid at others' expense, assuming that candor gives him license to say anything he pleases ". The litigious ones pursue lawsuits having to do with the upholding and undermining of reputations. Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit" (Wilde 18) We of course laugh at these absurdities but also at the way that they reveal and expose the superficial qualities and prejudices in the society. The play makes us aware of the complexities of life and social interaction and sensitizes us to the fact that while social deceit and lying should be censured, so should dogmatic views and actions that can lead to cruelty and unkindness. On the other hand, the play also points out, through the use of comedy, that extreme criticism can often have a negative rather than a positive effect. Bermel (1990) expresses this paradox as follows: Alceste tells Philinte of his disgust at the stratum of society in which he lives; he perceives it as corrupted by its insincere manners and made up of people who are shallow, purposeless, polite backstabbers. A prime example of the way in which the play satirizes the social conception of marriage is when lady Bracknell interviews Jack with regard to his eligibility as a son - in - law. One of the central aspects of the play and the plot development is that it comments on the way that Alceste deals with others. The aspect adds to the way in which the play reveals the specific Victorian concerns about marriage These conventions of marriage are closely aligned to issues of class distinctions and social ideals; for example marriage to a man in a certain class with socially desirable attributes - which would be associated with the name "Ernest'. (Bermel 238) In conclusion, the play asks a central and important question; "Can unsparing honesty be truly a virtue?" (Bermel 238) By placing a rigid and uncompromising figure like Alceste in the middle of the social intrigue and deceit of the French court, the playwright sets up situations that are ripe for comic drama. On these grounds she refuses to endorse the marriage of Jack and Gwendolen. The convoluted plot of the play deals with the intricate and comic interplay between deception and truth and identity and misrepresentation.
Common topics in this essay:
Seventeenth-Century Paris,
Lady Bracknell,
Ernest Algernon,
Alceste Meanwhile,
,
French Revolution,
Algernon Jack,
Philinte Alceste,
Oscar Wilde's,
Friends Friends,
lady bracknell,
comedy manners,
bermel 238,
marriage lady bracknell,
society bermel,
associated name,
social deceit,
social mores,
upper class,
heart act,
society hypocrisy,
|
Acceptance Essays
