The Importance of Being Earnest
(Oscar Wilde)

Double Identities

Both the main male characters in the play, Algernon and Jack, use double identities to have more freedom moving around in society. Jack uses his made-up brother, Ernest, as his name in town, and as an excuse to come to town more often. Algernon uses his made-up friend, Bunbury, an invalid who is constantly ill, as an excuse to get out of unwanted arrangements. He calls this habit "Bunburying", and believes every man should have a double identity. By the end of the play, however, when everyone is engaged, both Bunbury and Ernest are no longer needed.

Disconnect to the Past

All of the young characters have unusually vague or nonexistent pasts. Algernon can't remember his parents, Jack was found in a handbag at a railway station, Gwendolyn knows her mother but never mentions her past, and Cecily writes in her diary for fear of forgetting her memories. The past is nothing more than a way to get one's wishes in the present. For Jack, this is getting engaged to Gwendolyn. He sees no reason why he shouldn't be allowed to marry her, but Gwendolyn's mother insists her daughter cannot marry someone with no parents. When this mystery is solved, Jack doesn't even ask for more details about his parents.

The Importance of Appearances

The characters in the play are all overly concerned with appearances, some more than others. Algernon, especially, is famous for always being over-dressed, and cannot help but comment on everyone's clothing, and choice of snack served at tea. When Lady Bracknell discovers Algernon's engagement to Cecily, she examines the girl's appearance from head to toe and announces that her profile has "social promise". When Jack shows up in mourning clothes, both Algernon and Cecily tell him to change immediately because he looks ridiculous.

Manners

Much like the character's preoccupation with appearances and beauty, manners also play a significant role in the way the play unfolds. Every decision is made on the base of whether or not it is appropriate. Jack, for instance, accuses Algernon of not acting like a gentleman by coming to the manor under the pretense of being Jack's brother, and accuses Algernon of treating Cecily "inappropriately". Lady Bracknell is the character most concerned with proper manners and is constantly obsessing about what other members of society will say if someone acts out of line.

Institution of Marriage

Since The Importance of Being Earnest is, at heart, a marriage plot (the play ends with three engagements) there is much discussion about the institution of marriage. At the beginning of the play when Jack wants to propose to Gwendolyn, Algernon advises against it, pointing out the horrors of marriage. Lady Bracknell, after visiting one of her recently widowed friends, and declares that she looks twenty years younger. Since marriages were often made for social status rather than love, they weren't known to be positive. However, Algernon falls in love with Cecily and throws all his previous advice about marriage away when he proposes.

Seriousness and Triviality

Throughout the play, there is a constant switch between seriousness and triviality. Algernon declares all serious matters trivial and all trivial matters serious. This theme continues in the character's dialogue and treatment of matters. Algernon, for instance, when a serious event occurs (the women find out the men's deceit) he concerns himself with a truly trivial matter (the muffins being served at tea). The play itself is a twist on this; although it is a comedy filled with triviality, it proves itself to have a much more serious nature.

Philosophy and Witticisms

The dialogue of The Importance of Being Earnest is filled with constant witticisms and circular conversation, so relentless it is, at times, hard to follow. Every character engages in this type of philosophical conversation, some more than others. Algernon and Cecily are especially philosophical, and Algernon is modeled after Oscar Wilde himself, who was a fan of fast-paced conversation. Even sensible characters, such as Lady Bracknell, constantly turn the conversation around to their political or ideological philosophies.

Satire

The Importance of Being Earnest, though a marriage plot by structure, is part comedy, part satire of Victorian high society. Wilde places such an emphasis on triviality, appearances, and manners that the play inevitably becomes a comedy, for there is no other way to take it. Wilde exposes the aspects of high society that he dislikes, even though he is trapped in that very world. It is the satire of society that makes this play so relevant, even in our present day.

Artificiality

The world of the play is so artificially constructed, it cannot be reality. This allowed Wilde to use the play satirically without angering anyone. Since the characters and dialogue are so fake, they could make a serious point without actually being taken seriously. This artificiality reveals itself in the simple-mindedness of the characters, the relentlessly witty dialogue, and the convenience with which the problems of the play are solved. Much like a modern day sitcom, aspects of the characters and places are believable, but they are taken to the extreme for comedic effect.

Comedic Farce

Throughout the play, Wilde uses elements of traditional comedic farce to move the plot along. Unfortunate timing, such as Gwendolyn visiting Cecily right when Algernon and Jack leave, allow for hilarious misunderstandings to take place. The confusion of identities is a classic farcical move, used to create irony. Much of the play is funny because the audience knows information that certain characters don't, and, therefore, are in on the joke. The misunderstandings are all cleared up at the end, allowing for the marriage plot to come to a conclusion.