The Importance Of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde Summary

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Social Class
This essay will analyze the drama "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde. The purpose of this analysis is to describe the social classes during the Victorian Era as demonstrated in the drama. The writer of this essay employs the method of close reading. Through a close examination of the drama, it is accurate to assert that two social classes are represented by the mayor and other minor characters. At the end of the play, the writer concludes that this is an interesting drama and majority of the characters come from the upper class.
The theme of social class in the play is well identified in act 1 page 1 in the dialogue between Algernon and Lane. "I didn't think it polite to listen to sir" (act 1 pg 1). Based on this dialogue, it is evident that there are two classes, (the lower class is addressing the upper class). Considering this dialogue and other excerpts, we realize that Lane is a servant in Algernon's house. Therefore, from their conversation, it is evident that Lane is one of the characters who bear the lower class status during the Victorian Era. Based on the plot and other excerpts in the play, Lane demonstrates calmness when he is addressing Algernon.
The upper-class status is portrayed in act I as well in the dialogue of Lady Bracknell, a mother to Gwendolen. Lady Bracknell belongs to the upper class because she is an aristocrat. "Lady Bracknell: A country house! How many bedrooms? Well, that point can be declared up afterward. You have a townhouse, I hope? A girl with a simple, un...