The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde - Book Report/Review Example

Algernon and Jack are the two main male characters of the play. Jack intends to propose marriage to Gwendolen, who is Algernon’s cousin.

After gaining knowledge of Jack’s proposal, Gwendolen promptly accepts his proposal and declares her love for him. Lady Bracknell objects to the proposal because she thinks that Jack’s parentage is unknown and he has no social status. Jack is the guardian of a girl named Cecily, who falls in love with Algernon eventually. Their love affair is quite absurd. As soon as Algernon proposes Cecily, she shows her promptness in accepting his proposal. Lady Bracknell has no problem with Algernon’s and Cecily’s relationship because she considers Cecily of good social status.

In the end, Jack’s true status is discovered and he is proved as the elder brother of Algernon due to which, Lady Bracknell accepts his proposal for Gwendolen. Lady Bracknell is portrayed as an aristocratic lady who pays much attention and regard to social status and material wealth as while asking Jack about his father, she says: “He was evidently a man of some wealth. Was he born in what the Radical papers call the purple of commerce, or did he rise from the ranks of the aristocracy?

” (Wilde, Act I)I like the play because of the comedy that is found in the play. The comments passed by Algernon are especially interesting such as: “Divorces are made in heaven.” (Wilde, Act I)“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” (Wilde, Act I)“Nothing annoys people so much as not receiving invitations.” (Wilde, Act I)Overall, it can be said that it is enjoyable to read The Importance of Being Earnest because of the absurdity of situations that are created and the dialogues passed by the characters of the play.