Victor Ramirez

Mr. Quillin
English 12 Period 3
10/20/13

Problems relating to behavior between those of different social classes have always
existed, and will continue to exist. In Oscar Wildes The Importance of Being Earnest,
Algernons statements to himself and to others about class and social behaviors shows the
existence of many social problems, mainly through his beliefs about class and status.
Comparable to the ideas of stereotypical people, Algernons thoughts about how the higher class
should behave to the lower class describes the unethical, convoluted beliefs that rich people hold
against the less fortunate members of society. Using contrasting statements from Algernon, Lady
Bracknell, and Cecily concerning status in society, Oscar Wilde explores the widespread social
issues through witty satire, specifically with use of silly epigrams and thoughtful characterization.
Wilde uses silly but reflective epigrams through Algernon in order to broadcast the
inherent issues of differences in status and behavior. After Lane tells Algernon about his
experience with marriage, Algernon, in his monologue, says that the lower orders dont set us a
good example and that They seem, as a class, to have no sense of moral responsibility (Wilde
28). In other words, Algernon believes that people of the lower class should set a good example
to the higher class, and that they do not know how to act properly. Through Algernons statement
about lower class people, Wilde articulates the idea that higher-class members of society look
down upon lower class people. Algernon also seems to imply that there is something wrong with
the higher class that they have to look to the lower class for support. Wilde also implies that the
higher class should be the examples for lower class, who are forced to look up to them. Later on,
when Jack speaks to Algernon about the horrid attitude of Lady Bracknell, Algernon is
unaffected and states that Relations are simply a tedious pack of people, who haven't got the
remotest knowledge of how to live, nor the smallest instinct about when to die (Wilde 49). In
other words, Algernon is denouncing relations, that having relations is unimportant, and that the
people in relationships do not know what they are doing. Through the epigram, Wilde explains
the need to appreciate relationships with others, and that they should be worthwhile, not tedious.
In addition, Wilde also admonishes those who believe that relations are unimportant, and only a
means for status. Wilde brings up the question of the meaning of being in a relation with other
people. After Jack confesses his thoughts to propose to Gwendolyn, Algernon smugly states that
Jacks proposal constitutes as business instead of pleasure (Wilde 30). In other words,
Algernon is saying that the act of marriage is simply a business to improve ones status in society,
that status should be considered over pleasure when marrying someone. With this statement,
Wilde disparages the idea that people look at status when deciding a marriage partner, instead of
love for the other. Wilde simultaneously asserts the importance of putting status second to love.
Lady Bracknells thoughts towards high-class social status and behaviors explain Wildes
ideas towards the problems surrounding status and social class differences. When Lady
Bracknell comes to meet Algernon, she states that she was late because of a certain Lady
Harbury. Lady Bracknell tells Algernon that she never saw a woman so altered; she looks quite
twenty years younger (Wilde 38). Lady Bracknells seemingly innocuous statement about Lady
Harbury indicates a societal need to gossip, especially about lower class people. Wilde uses Lady
Bracknells character to show a stereotypical aspect of high-class people, since the gossip
signifies Lady Bracknells condescending attitude towards those poorer than her. In contrast to
her interaction with poverty, when Lady Bracknell finds out about Cecily, Jacks 18-year-old
ward and finds out she has large assets, she tells Jack to wait A moment, Mr. Worthing. A
hundred and thirty thousand pounds! And in the Funds! Miss Cardew seems to me a most
attractive young lady, now that I look at her. (Wilde 97). In this quote, Lady Bracknell is
expressing her newfound attraction towards Miss Cardew, based on the information that she is
surprisingly wealthy. Through Lady Bracknells change in behavior to Cecily, Wilde exposes the
intentions of the rich to get richer, and conveys the unethical belief that status is more important
than love. Wilde criticizes those who believe that status is the most important aspect of a person,
and encourages the recognition of other positive aspects of a person. During Lady Bracknells
inquiry of Jack Worthings social status, she states her beliefs about modern education it is
radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever.
If it did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of
violence (Wilde 45). In other words, Lady Bracknell believes that only high-class people should
be educated, and that lower classes should be deprived of education in order to keep them
peaceful. Through Lady Bracknells belief, Wilde shows the connection between education and
superiority, that education is connected with status and only those with high status should get an
education. Wilde also brings in the message that an educated society is difficult to control, that
education will cause the rich to lose their status and arrogance.
Through Gwendolyns attitude and remarks to others, Wilde illustrates the behavior of
typical high-class individuals in Victorian society. When Jack confesses to Gwendolyn, she tells
him that she knew all along and that they live in an age of ideals (Wilde 41). Basically,
Gwendolyn believes that status is an important aspect of an ideal society. This quote emphasizes
the need for people to achieve an ideal status to have a perfect proposal, perfect wedding,
perfect husband, and perfect assets. Wilde is conveying the idea that high-class people believe
that they are more ideal than low class people, and to bring into question the behavioral
standards surrounding status. After Gwendolyn and Cecily find out that they are both engaged to
the nonexistent Ernest Worthing, both of them express dissatisfaction with the other. As an act of
courtesy, Cecily disapprovingly serves tea, bread, and cake to Gwendolyn, who haughtily states
that sugar is not fashionable anymore, and that cake is rarely seen at the best houses
nowadays (Wilde 83). Typical of snobbish people, Gwendolyn attempts to bring status into the
argument with Cecily by saying that the food she is being served is out of fashion, implying that
Cecily must therefore be out of fashion as well. Using Gwendolyns statement about fashion,
Wilde shows how people with a high status believe that they are better than lower status people.
Wilde shows the behavior of high-class individuals in Victorian society to bring to attention the
difference in social behaviors that exist between different classes.
By using silly epigrams and thoughtful characterization, Wilde displays the social issues
that are common throughout society. Wilde attempts to clarify the need to change common
beliefs surrounding status through the behavior and beliefs of high-class citizens in society,
especially when they interact with those of the lower class. He reveals the issues surrounding
status in society, and brings the idea of status into consideration, as well as several other issues
of society such as honesty and identity. Algernons epigrams about society, Lady Bracknells
beliefs about class, and Gwendolyns attitude towards others affirm the idea that people behave
differently towards those who are not of similar class. In conclusion, Oscar Wilde used witty
satire to bring forward the problems in society, and urge people not to focus on one aspect of a
person, such as status.