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The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (Book Analysis): Detailed Summary, Analysis and Reading Guide
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Unlock the more straightforward side of The Importance of Being Earnest with this concise and insightful summary and analysis!
This engaging summary presents an analysis of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, which tells the story of Jack Worthing, a country gentleman who frequently assumes the alias ‘Earnest’ to escape his responsibilities. Shortly after discovering that his friend Algernon is leading a similar double life, the two men both fall in love, and their false identities are soon exposed, leading to a series of mishaps and misunderstandings which are intended to both entertain the audience and encourage them to reflect on the hypocrisy that was rampant in Victorian upper-class society. Wilde was one of the most fascinating authors of the 19th century, known as much for his witticisms as for his writing. His most notable works include the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray and the comic plays An Ideal Husband and Lady Windermere’s Fan.
Find out everything you need to know about The Importance of Being Earnest in a fraction of the time!
This in-depth and informative reading guide brings you:
• A complete plot summary
• Character studies
• Key themes and symbols
• Questions for further reflection
Why choose BrightSummaries.com?
Available in print and digital format, our publications are designed to accompany you on your reading journey. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time.
See the very best of literature in a whole new light with BrightSummaries.com!
This engaging summary presents an analysis of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, which tells the story of Jack Worthing, a country gentleman who frequently assumes the alias ‘Earnest’ to escape his responsibilities. Shortly after discovering that his friend Algernon is leading a similar double life, the two men both fall in love, and their false identities are soon exposed, leading to a series of mishaps and misunderstandings which are intended to both entertain the audience and encourage them to reflect on the hypocrisy that was rampant in Victorian upper-class society. Wilde was one of the most fascinating authors of the 19th century, known as much for his witticisms as for his writing. His most notable works include the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray and the comic plays An Ideal Husband and Lady Windermere’s Fan.
Find out everything you need to know about The Importance of Being Earnest in a fraction of the time!
This in-depth and informative reading guide brings you:
• A complete plot summary
• Character studies
• Key themes and symbols
• Questions for further reflection
Why choose BrightSummaries.com?
Available in print and digital format, our publications are designed to accompany you on your reading journey. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time.
See the very best of literature in a whole new light with BrightSummaries.com!
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The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (Book Analysis) - Bright Summaries
IRISH PLAYWRIGHT, POET AND WIT
Born in Dublin in 1854.
Died in Paris in 1900.
Notable works:
The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890), novel
A Woman of No Importance (1893), play
The Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898), poem
Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin to Anglo-Irish parents. He moved to England in 1874 to study at Oxford University, where his tutors included Walter Pater (English essayist, 1839-1894) and John Ruskin (English art critic, 1819-1900). Through them, Wilde became interested in the philosophy of aestheticism, or ‘art for art’s sake’. After university he moved to London, where he became a leading figure in high society known for his decadence, fashion and wit. He wrote numerous plays and poems during this period and toured the USA giving lectures on aestheticism. In 1884, he married Constance Lloyd (1859-1898), though he had many relationships with men during their marriage, including Robert Ross (Canadian journalist, 1869-1918) and Wilde’s great love, Lord Alfred ‘Bosie’ Douglas (British writer, 1870-1945). In 1895, he was arrested on charges of ‘gross indecency’ (homosexuality) and sentenced to two years in Reading Gaol. He was released in 1897. With his reputation in tatters he moved to Paris, where he lived in poverty until his death in 1900.
WILDE’S GREAT SOCIETY COMEDY
Genre: play
Reference edition: Wilde, O.
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