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Oscar Wilde's 'The Importance of Being Earnest', 2008.
This paper looks at the play and the 2002 Miramax film of 'The Importance of Being Earnest'.
1,728 words (approx. 6.9 pages), 2 sources, MLA, AU$ 80.95
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Abstract
This paper provides the writer's personal views regarding the play and film of "The Importance of Being Earnest". The writer notes that, while reading 'The Importance of Being Earnest' she wondered how it could possibly work as a movie. The writer then provides a critique and argues that the movie did not work particularly well. The writer points out that the cast was brilliant, the script is classic and witty and the budget was certainly adequate, but argues that the movie falls flat and then discusses where exactly it went wrong. The writer maintains that that the over-the-top fluffiness is exactly what Oscar Wilde would have wanted The writer concludes that both play and movie are worth experiencing, but only in that order.
From the Paper
"With a script like this, the fault must lie, at least in part, with the direction. If there was one thing done correctly in this film, however, it was the casting. The cast really was wonderful: from the characters they were chosen to play, to their individual performances, all the way to their work as an ensemble. In some instances, however, I felt they looked too deeply for something to do. Judi Dench is brilliant, but her character is rather simple: the archetypal stern mother. I just felt when reading it like it was a rather straight forward mother, looking to control the situation to better her daughter's future. I felt like Judi Dench was too good, and too much, to play this rather dry character. She is such a grounded actor I had trouble believing in her character's one track mind. I felt the same for Reese Witherspoon. Witherspoon has such a spark to her; I felt she was too much for the simple vulnerability of Cecily. The movie added in these fantasies of hers which I think in part were there to help a modern audience understand what the attraction to Algernon would be to Cecily. And it also acted as a vehicle to give Witherspoon more room to develop Cecily. But once again, for me, it really altered the character. It may be the way I read it."
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Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest", 2006.
This paper describes and analyzes Oscar Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Earnest".
1,935 words (approx. 7.7 pages), 4 sources, MLA, AU$ 89.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that Oscar Wilde's comic play "The Importance of Being Earnest" is a satiric look at aspects of British society, notably the influence of social class and rigid stratification. The author points out that the play toys with the dual meaning of the sound of Ernest: How important it is to be earnest, meaning sincere, and how important it is to be named Ernest. The paper relates that Wilde develops an inverted parody of the stock romantic situation in which the lovers' devotion alone and not their names have meaning; the play abounds in inversions of romantic cliches found in epigrams and certain conversational exchanges, which are structured on the basis of a reversal of expectations. Includes many quotations.
From the Paper
"To say that Jack is manipulating reality is to say that he is manipulating his own reality, for the play does not deal in what we would call objective reality. This is a world that does not exist, with people who operate on their own logic. Reality for Jack is always something of a blur because he has no idea who he really is. In this sense, his entire life is an appearance rather than a reality until he learns through a series of coincidences at the end of the play who he really is--he is Algy's older brother--and what his name is--his name really is Ernest."
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"Major Barbara" and "The Importance of Being Earnest", 2002.
A comparative analysis of the satirical style of Shaw's "Major Barbara", and Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest".
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 2 sources, AU$ 64.95
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Abstract
This paper explores the social commentary in both Shaw's "Major Barbara", and Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest". The paper discusses the satirical style of each. It concludes that both authors used the parody as a way of calling attention to the inequities of society.
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"The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde, 2005.
This paper looks at the theme of double lives in the play "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 4 sources, MLA, AU$ 69.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the theme of double lives in the play "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde. The paper looks specifically at the lives of three characters; Algernon Moncrieff, Jack (Ernest) Worthing and Cecily Cardew, all of whom lead double lives.
From the Paper
""The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde explores the depth of dual identity in Victorian society. Classical-Themes: This trait is most apparent in Algernon and Jack in their episodes of Bun burying which Algernon defines as the practice of creating an elaborate deception so that one can misbehave while at the same time appearing to live up to the highest standard of duty and responsibility."
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"The Importance of Being Earnest", 2007.
A comparison of the effectiveness of Oscar Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Earnest" with the film directed by Oliver Parker.
1,630 words (approx. 6.5 pages), 2 sources, MLA, AU$ 78.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses how well the 2002 film directed by Oliver Parker, "The Importance of Being Earnest" dramatizes the original play written by Oscar Wilde. The paper describes the basic plot of the play and then discusses instances where the plot is not able to be played effectively in the film. It discusses the reasons why these acts are less effective in film than in the dialogue of the play and why certain imagery in the film does not work well.
Table of Contents:
Introduction: Synopsis
Act I: Bunbury, Interrogation and Refusal Scenes
Act II: An Interjection Of Ballooning And Flashbacks In The Cicely's Education, Diary Writing, And Fight Scenes With Gwendolyn
Act III: The Introduction of Archery, Unraveling, and Christening
Conclusion--Summing Up
From the Paper
"The drive to physicalize the verbal wit of the Wilde play is made further evident in the Act II war of words over Gwendolyn and Cicely's tea party, where the jazzy music on the soundtrack and the clattering cutlery draw the viewer's attention away from what the characters are actually saying that is clearly not in the play. (Fifth difference) Finally, the film's dramatization of Act II includes a ballooning sequence that seems completely at odds with the plot, and serves only to show Algernon in different attire than what Algernon wears in the drawing room that is not in the play. (Sixth difference) While it is helpful to show the characters assume different costumes in different locations, just as they assume different personas, the activity is so strange to the eye; it is hard to focus on exactly what is occurring on the level of dialogue during the sequence."
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"Importance of Being Earnest", 2002.
A review of Oscar Wilde's "Importance of Being Earnest" with an emphasis on the theme of triviality.
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 4 sources, AU$ 51.95
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Abstract
This paper investigates the theme of triviality in Oscar Wilde's "Importance of Being Earnest". It discusses how and why characters place importance on trivial things in order to trivialize truly important things. It also discusses the relation of Wilde's personal life to the function of triviality as a means of deception and/or self-deception.
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"The Importance of Being Earnest", 2002.
This paper analyzes Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest".
1,400 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 1 source, AU$ 77.95
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Abstract
This paper review themes used by Wilde in this play: Duplicity, Bunburyism, the role of faude,u and the satirical nature of Wildes' criticism of Victorian society. u
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"The Importance of being Ernest", 2007.
An analysis of the farcical nature and multiplicity of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest."
1,720 words (approx. 6.9 pages), 4 sources, MLA, AU$ 80.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the comical and farcical nature of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest." The paper suggests that the interpretation of the play may itself often be as ambiguous as the play since there are many ways to look at it. It then goes on to describe many instances in the play when this multiplicity is evident. The paper concludes that not only the characters exist on many different levels, but the entire plot appears to be surrounded by plurality of meaning.
From the Paper
"It is highly enthralling to see the various forms and images of Ernest and how each character attaches certain significance of the character. In give great importance to someone being Ernest yet they have no clear idea who or how the person really is. For Algernon Moncrieff, Ernest is no one else but his friend Jack Worthing: "You have always told me that [your name] was Ernest. I have introduced you to every one as Ernest. You answer to the name of Ernest. You look as if your name was Ernest. You are the most earnest-looking person I ever saw in my life. It is perfectly absurd your saying that you name isn't Ernest. It's on your cards" (Writings, 484). However for Jack Worthing, Ernest is an imaginary adventurous figure possibly, "a younger brother . . . who lives in the Albany, and gets into the most dreadful scrapes" (Writings, 485). For Gwendolen Fairfax, Ernest is a moralist, "a strong upright Nature. He is the very soul of truth and honour. Disloyalty would be as impossible to him as deception" (Writings, 517). And for Cecily Cardew, Ernest is her romantic partner: "And of course a man who is much talked about is always very attractive" (Writings, 513)."
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The Importance of Being Wilde, 2002.
A look at the influence life of the author Oscar Wilde on his "Importance of Being Earnest" .
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 2 sources, AU$ 64.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes Oscar Wilde's "Importance of Being Earnest" after accumulating knowledge about his life, lifestyle, and his times. It presents the dichotomy between morals and interesting behavior central to the play, and talks about the contradictions of marriage, gender, and class, presented by the social relationships of the characters.
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The Importance of Being Exquisitely Trivial, 2006.
A review of Oscar Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Earnest" and his social critique of English upper class.
1,140 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 1 source, MLA, AU$ 57.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes Oscar Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Earnest" as a condemning social comment on the upper crust of English society. The entire play portrays the trivia of society, in its superficiality and fantasies, to create an illusion of self-importance, purpose and sophistication. Analyzing each of the characters in turn, the paper concludes that they are all subject to their own illusions and hypocrisies, have an immense quantity of trivial habits, and lack a sense of purpose, thereby illustrating the fallacies of Victorian high society.
From the Paper
"As can easily be observed, Wilde has given all of the characters in his play, whether they even make an appearance or not, a distinct stereotype of their role in society, yet, keeping with the theme of trivia and "bubbles of fancy", showed how purposeless and identical they all are. All of the characters are living a lie, which they have created for themselves to either thrust themselves into society, or to escape from those confines. And, resolutely, all of these lies are revealed in the end of the play. Algernon and Jack escaped from their constricted bindings by creating alter egos for the sake of Bunburying. On the other hand, Lady Bracknell forced her way into society by marrying Lord Bracknell, if only for money. Cecily and Gwendolen, although both content in their current cliques, desired something that was missing from their lives - a husband named Ernest. Dr. Chasuble and Miss Prism both suppressed their love for each other as the "practice of the Primitive Church was distinctly against matrimony." Despite the vastly contrasting scenes and positions held by each of the characters, they are all hiding their real identities in delicately constructed lies."
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Society's Moral Decline, 2007.
An analysis of the moral decline in Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest."
2,082 words (approx. 8.3 pages), 2 sources, MLA, AU$ 95.95
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Abstract
The paper examines "Hamlet" and "The Importance of Being Earnest" and explains that both of these plays analyze the moral state of the 'modern' society. The paper notes that these plays are at two very different moments in time, the Renaissance and the end of the Victorian Age, but they both show the moral decline of society. The paper discusses how the plays reach a similar conclusion about humanity: the trivial side of human nature usually prevails over the spiritual, ethical one.
From the Paper
"In Shakespeare's Hamlet, the state of moral decline of the society at the Court of Denmark is the main focus. Denmark is meant to figure, of course, the larger, universal context of man. The plot is somewhat simple: Hamlet is called upon to revenge (morally) the death of his father. The appearance of the ghost of the murdered king in the first act is already a sign of the moral direction in which the play goes: a dead spirit comes back to claim justice. Thus, Hamlet's own ideas about the world and about man, which are essentially idealist, meet with an obvious obstacle in the material world, where he sees the baseness of character of both his uncle and his mother who are capable of murder, adultery and duplicity. All of Hamlet's famous soliloquies oppose the idealist and the actual, real view of man as an immoral and trivial creature."
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Oscar Wilde and Victorian Morality, 2006.
This paper examines Victorian views of morality and marriage as portrayed in 'The Importance of Being Earnest' by Oscar Wilde.
675 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 2 sources, AU$ 38.95
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Abstract
In this paper, the writer discusses the institution of marriage as demonstrated in the Victorian play 'The Importance of Being Earnest' by Oscar Wilde. The writer shows that the morality of being unity with a loved one is certainly the external social apparatus of Victorian marriage, but Wilde often points out the reality of patriarchal institutions that make marriage more like a business. Further the writer demonstrates that by realizing what moral virtues uphold the union of man and woman in love; the contrary affect of female abuse and sublimation are often the satirical reality in Wilde's classic play.
From the Paper
"This drama study will examine the morality of the Victorian marriage within the context of Oscar Wilde's 'The importance of Being Earnest'. By defining the often patriarchal nature of marriage in the Victorian period, one can realize the social institution that forged the strict observance of men and women being 'one' through a legal and moral binding. However, Oscar Wilde often conflicts with the institution of marriage, and argues that it is a business, rather than a pleasure. In essence, the Victorian institution of marriage is often hypocritical in that it portrays an image of money and legality, which denies the supposed moral pleasure of loving commitment. The opening First Act presents the conflict of pleasure and business in relation to marriage, as Algernon and his butler Lane discuss the topic of morality in marriage."
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Existentialism and Oscar Wilde, 2007.
An examination of existentialism in Oscar Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Earnest".
2,510 words (approx. 10.0 pages), 7 sources, MLA, AU$ 111.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the idea of identity in Oscar Wilde's play, "the Importance of Being Earnest" and in other Victorian works, and questions whether the individual or society shapes essence. The writer further discusses Jean-Paul Sartre's existentialist philosophy and how it relates to Wilde's play.The paper also looks at works by other authors where the characters decide how to behave based on their social status.
From the Paper
"The plot of Oscar Wilde's play The Importance of Being Earnest is much involved with questions of identity and toys with the meaning of identity, especially in terms of the social conventions of British Victorian society. Wilde is not normally thought of as an existentialist, but many of the concerns he raises in this play and some of his other works mirror concerns of the existentialists, including the issues of identity and authenticity."
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"Bunbury" and "Bunburying", 2008.
This paper examines Algernon's practice of "bunburying" in Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest".
886 words (approx. 3.5 pages), 2 sources, MLA, AU$ 46.95
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Abstract
The paper argues that "bunburying" is used by the character of Algernon, in Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest", to escape the adult responsibility that attends truth-telling. The paper shows how it is a practice that, ironically, reveals the truth about someone's character and preoccupations.
From the Paper
"When read in its totality, it appears as though being a "Bunburyist" is to be someone who engages in dissembling and misdirection in an attempt to evade unwanted social obligations - or obligations of any sort. In effect, the causes of Algernon's "bunburying" appears rooted in a desire to escape the responsibilities that attend being an adult and a member of the British social elite during the final decades of the nineteenth century."
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Social Class in Literature, 2006.
A comparative analysis of the theme of social class in "Pygmalion" by George Bernard Shaw and "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde.
1,883 words (approx. 7.5 pages), 3 sources, MLA, AU$ 88.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how social class is the primary subject in both "Pygmalion" by George Bernard Shaw and "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde. It looks at how both plays draw a vivid picture of the differences between the economic classes and how both illustrate the artificiality of these classes. It also discusses how in neither story does the position in the class structure indicate the worth of a person, or change his essential qualities, whether good or bad.
From the Paper
"One startling difference in the two works is their respective treatment of marriage. In Pygmalion marriage is barely mentioned. There is no question of a romantic interest in the confirmed bachelor Higgins, despite he eventual fondness for his pupil. She even goes so far as to tell him that she wouldn't marry him if he asked her. In the play's lengthy postscript the author says that Eliza, who realizes that a union between herself and Higgins would never be successful, eventually marries the lovesick Freddy. Marriage is a central preoccupation of Wilde's play, possibly because of his own homosexuality. "
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"A Farewell To Arms" by Earnest Hemingway, 2002.
An analysis of the characters and Frederic in "A Farewell To Arms" by Earnest Hemingway.
1,900 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 3 sources, AU$ 103.95
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Abstract
This paper will discuss the relationship that exists between Catherine and Frederic in "A Farewell To Arms by Earnest Hemingway". An argument will be made that love and war can co exist together under the premise that love is not an answer to horrors of it, but rather, it can help to make life better, even though the tragic implications in Hemingway's writing tell us differently.
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