The Importance of Being Earnest: Character & Key Quotes: Gwendolen Fairfax

Character Analysis: Gwendolen Fairfax

An upper-class Victorian lady, Gwendolen Fairfax is both the object of Jack’s affection and the daughter of the formidable Lady Bracknell.
Gwendolen is obsessed with the name Ernest, believing it to exude a magnetic strength. Her fixation on the name symbolises the superficiality rampant in Victorian society.
She is strong-willed and also domineering, evidenced by her dictating the terms of romance with Jack.
Despite her obsession with aesthetic appearances and status, she shows a degree of independence and assertiveness. For instance, she defies her mother in pursuing her relationship with Jack.

Key Quotes

“The only really safe name is Ernest.” - Gwendolen’s quote lays bare her obsession with the name Ernest, rendering it a symbol of her desires.
“In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing.” - This reflects Gwendolen’s values, which prioritise superficial appearances over sincerity.
“I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train.” - This humorous remark exposes her desire for a dramatic life.
“I love you. I am engaged to you.” - Gwendolen’s assertiveness and directness is on display here as she takes control over her romantic destiny.

Themes and Gwendolen’s Role

The Superficiality of Class: Gwendolen’s preference for the name Ernest represents the Victorian upper class’s obsession with appearances.
The Role of Women: Despite the restraints of the Victorian era, Gwendolen emerges as a strong, assertive woman who actively shapes her life.
Love & Courtship: Through Gwendolen’s romantic pursuits, Wilde mocks the trivialities of courting rituals and the superficiality of romantic ideals.

Language and Style

Gwendolen’s character often uses epigrams – witty, snappy replies that carry the satirical tone of the play.
Her speech is marked by irony and absurdity, underscoring the societal critique embedded in Wilde’s writing.
She often uses formal, elaborate language, a stylistic choice by Wilde that plays up the artifice and artificial social constructs of the Victorian era.