The Importance of Being Earnest: Character & Key Quotes: Lady Bracknell

Character Analysis: Lady Bracknell

Lady Bracknell: A dominant, imposing character who personifies the stereotypical pretentious aristocracy of the Victorian era. She is a social snob, concerned with status, wealth and pedigree rather than moral character.
Lady Bracknell employs antiquated and absurd logic in her decision making, most notably when choosing suitable matches for Gwendolen or questioning Jack’s suitability as a son-in-law.
As illustrated in her unexpected interrogations and uncaring attitude towards others, Lady Bracknell is self-centered and lacks emotional depth. Despite these traits, she’s not an outright villain, which adds complexity to her character.

Key Themes and Roles

Class and Social Snobbery: Lady Bracknell symbolizes the snobbish elite. When assessing potential spouses, she values social status and wealth more than character.
Notion of Parenthood: Lady Bracknell’s discourse on parenthood, especially her indifference towards Jack’s lost parents, offers a critique on Victorian attitudes toward lineage and familial connections.
Marriage: Her strict control over Gwendolen’s suitors displays the Victorian obsession with making a good marriage, usually characterised by wealth and social status.

Language and Style

Wilde utilises epigrams and witty banter in Lady Bracknell’s dialogues, enhancing the comedy of the play through her outrageous views and comments.
Lady Bracknell often employs exaggeration and paradoxes, demonstrating Wilde’s satirical commentary on the Victorian elite.
Wilde uses her character for dramatic irony, as her absurd remarks and lack of concern for others create an ironic and satirical portrayal of aristocracy.

Key Quotes

“A handbag?” highlights Lady Bracknell’s absurdity as she fixates on Jack’s adoption story. Her shock places undue importance on trivialities.
“To lose one parent, Mr Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.” This quote reflects Lady Bracknell’s twisted logic and is a humorous criticism of the importance placed on familial ties in society.
“What are your politics?” - “Well, I am afraid I really have none. I am a Liberal Unionist.” - “Oh, they count as Tories. They dine with us. Or come in the evening, at any rate.” These quotes demonstrate Lady Bracknell’s obsession with status - dividing people based on their political allegiances.
“You can hardly imagine that I and Lord Bracknell would dream of allowing our only daughter - a girl brought up with the utmost care - to marry into a cloakroom, and form an alliance with a parcel?” This quote further emphasizes Lady Bracknell’s obsession with social status and pedigree.