Realistic Aspects of the Play The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
Literary pieces, such as plays, demonstrate life with symbolic intentions. Their relevance
is consumed and reflected on as they happen in the immediate human society. The text The
Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde embodies themes and characterizations that capture
realistic aspects of modern society. In delineating how complicated human life can be, as
captured in the pre-listed ideas, Oscar Wilde exemplifies that life is a complex journey with
obligations, personal and societal needs, and desires that must be met. Therefore, striking a
balance between the thrills of life and obligations can distort the absolute reality. As such,
marriage, morality, and the impact of decisions are the realistic elements that determine how
characters (Jack, Algernon, Lane and Gwendolen) relate and form opinions on most issues
affecting society in and out of the text.
A contentious conception of marriage among the rich and the poor as either a transaction
or a fulfillment of pleasure is analyzed in the text. Pleasure ramifies feelings of affection,
whereas transaction cleaves onto what one materially gains from it. While marriage can fulfill a
personal fete at love, it is understood differently among people with different socioeconomic
incomes. Jack says, “Lane's views on marriage seem somewhat lax. If the lower orders do not set
us a good example, what on earth is the use of them? As a class, they seem to have absolutely no
sense of moral responsibility” (Wilde, 1990, 1.1.3). The excerpt contextualizes a time when Jack
and Lane briefly exchanged ideas on the issue of marriage. Characteristically, if it is failing
among the economically vulnerable groups such as servants, moral aptitude about it among the
rich cannot hold. On the other hand, Algernon views it as a transaction (Wilde, 1990). The
complex reality of this excerpt, as it comes from Jack, is how his intentions to propose to
Gwendolen become negated, as explained in the subsequent section. In other words, society can

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externally force people to view a similar idea differently, although they have personal
inclinations to the issues.
Additionally, the author weaves a moral paradox in the text to explain the complex reality
of Victorian and human society. Jack exhibits a double character of who he is and who society
forces him to be. He assumes the fictitious character of his reckless brother, Earnest, to let go of
daily routines. He tells Algernon, "When one is in town, one amuses oneself. When one is in the
country, one amuses other people. It is excessively boring” (Wilde, 1990, 1.1.3). In the context of
the excerpt, Algernon presumes Jack has a double life as he seeks to know where and what he
does when they are apart. On the one hand, it is sarcastic and ironic that while Victorian society
compels Jack to be responsible and obligated to Little Cecily and the farm workers under him.
As analyzed by Jafari (2013), the Victorian society pushes him to assume the name Earnest to
earn a social privilege among equal mates such as Algernon. Moral principles should guide a
person in making better decisions, such as staying true and honest to oneself, have been left out
even though they should be learned. The dramatic compellation drawn about Jack is how he feels
when away from the ideal reality of who he is. In other words, societal realities interfere with
moral decisions and choices made.
Besides, the choices that inform decisions have consequences, whether negative or
positive. As Jack pretends to be Earnest in the city and former in the countryside, he attempts to
justify the revelation that Algernon lays on him as being a Bunburyist, a double-sided individual.
Jack must deal with the impact of rejection when Gwendolen insists that Earnest is the ultimate
person she wishes to marry. Shabir (2020) asserts that the decision that leads to the next actions
taken by Jack is sarcastic and similar to what many people would do in real life. Firstly, one
would attempt to correct their wrongs using all alternatives possible as long as their desires

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remain constant. Secondly, the baseline of the alternative taken must align with the desired
outcomes. Comparatively, as Jack attempts to rid himself of being Earnest by faking his death, so
would any person formulate strategies to reclaim their dwindling social glory. Choices and
options are realistically impactful in text and real life.
In conclusion, marriage, morality, and the impacts of decisions are the realistic elements
that de