The Importance of Being Earnest: Context: The "Dandy"

The Importance of Being Earnest: Context: The “Dandy”

Background

• The “Dandy” was a cultural and social phenomenon in the 18th and 19th century, particularly in Britain and France.
• Dandies were characterised by their flamboyant dress, refined language, and dedication to aesthetic perfection.
• Despite their seemingly superficial lifestyle, a true dandy was expected to be sophisticated, intelligent, self-aware and indifferent to societal norms.

Features of a Dandy

• Oscar Wilde himself was associated with the dandy figure and its intellectualism, nonchalance, elegance and paradoxical detachment from materialism.
• Dandies were known for their wit and intrigue, as well as their poetic language and detached commentary on society.
• They made it a point to live outside normative social conventions and instead championed art, refinement, and individuality.

Dandyism in ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’

• Algernon arguably perfects the role of the dandy in ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’, with his paradoxical statements, cynical observations, and high regard for the aesthetic.
• Many of Wilde’s epigrams and playful use of language are expressed through Algernon as part of his dandy persona.
• Dandyism is used to challenge conventional notions of morality and status, creating a foil to the traditional Victorian societal expectations.

Significance of the Dandy

• The dandy in Wilde’s works is often employed to highlight societal hypocrisies through his wit and non-conformity.
• Dandyism represented a form of rebellion against the strict societal norms of class and gender of the Victorian era.
• The dandy’s nonchalance towards societal expectations and his belief that life should be lived as a work of art challenges the rigidity of Victorian society.