Reviews

In The Importance of Being Ernest, Oscar Wilde revisits and revitalizes the long theatrical tradition of the quiproquo, I would say "Italian style." It is a light and lively comedy, as were its predecessors in the Commedia dell Arte, but where the clowns are English dandies, the acid lines are more reminiscent of Chekhov than Goldoni.
You have understood that throughout this comedy in four acts, Wilde will play on the ambiguity of this word. The two main protagonists, Jack and Algernon, two single dandies enjoying the British aristocracy of the late 19th century, use a similar process to extricate themselves from family and strategic imperatives.
Whether it is Bunbury or Ernest, the pretext is mainly used to escape obligations that young men find annoying or, in the most frequent case, to go and tell a little charming young lady without hope of tomorrow.
However, well aware of their friend's reciprocal infidelity, Jack and Algernon begin to see red when they realize that one is too interested in the other's cousin and that the latter is engaged in him in the pupil of the preceding.
We are, therefore, entitled to a perfectly symmetrical and very artificial crossed construction. Moreover, more and more contrived as we advance in the play, which, rare enough to be mentioned, is not embarrassing. We see things happening that are as big as a truck but done on purpose.
Oscar Wilde seems to care madly whether his play looks believable; it is entertainment that he wants, placing good lines, printing a style, and having fun while making us happy.
The only problem for Jack is that he had the lightness to pretend around him that he was going to his brother Ernest's bedside and, at the same time, never to get too involved with women. He is passed off to Gwendolen, whom he now really loves, as Ernest as well.
Knowing that the cunning Algernon does not shrink from any deception to be able to approach Cecily, Jack's ward, it is quite possible that he, too, could pass himself off as Ernest. Hence, the title is essential for an excellent understanding of the play.
In short, it is good entertainment, with some rather funny passages and a few pikes thrown here and there from De Wilde to the society of his time. A few little kicks in the anthills, and then that's it because this play probably doesn't have a lot of other hidden ambitions. Getting people to talk about her at the time, shocking her contemporaries, and creating a buzz, as we would say today. Still, from there to perceiving an intense and structured social criticism, the author seemed not to want to be "earnest." But this is, of course, only my opinion, that is to say, very little.

nandakandabooks's review

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slow-paced

3.0

twobatswithahat's review

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funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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