The use of dandyism in "The Importance of Being Earnest" contributes many new aspects to the piece. It can help enhance the mood of the play, the way each character thinks and acts, and how characters interact with one another. Algernon is one such character that displays dandyism, valuing style, high class, wealth, and formality above responsibility, maturity, and love. Although Algernon expresses these traits at the beginning of the play, he is a dynamic character, and his views and dandyism change at the end of the play as he falls in love with Cecily. In the play "The Importance of Being Earnest," Oscar Wilde uses the character Algernon to portray dandyism by showing his lack of responsibility; his naive, subversive views on marriage, and his interaction with other characters; these traits lead him to lie in order to avoid important matters, demoralize those less fortunate, and denounce views expressed by other characters that he sees as frivolous.
             One way Oscar Wilde displays dandyism though Algernon is by showing his lack of responsibility for important matters; this trait is expressed by his immaturity and lies during the play. Algernon is displayed as having a high status, living in a mansion, having a servant, and valuing formality, but with high status comes responsibility and this is not valued by Algernon at all. He prefers to avoid any real commitment, showing his lack of responsibility by lying and this is expressed by the language he Algernon uses, such as the word "Bunbury." An example is his excuse for not dining with Lady Bracknell and company by saying "...I have just had a telegram to say that my poor friend Bunbury is very ill again. They seem to think I should be with him" (Oscar Wilde 574). Through this act of immaturity, Algernon is then able to visit Jack's country home so he can further acquaint himself with Cecily. As he greets Cecily, Algernon shows his immaturity by lying to Cecily, showing off as Jack...