The Importance of Being Earnest: Theme & Key Quotes: Folly

Theme: Folly

Triviality in Serious Matters

“I hope, Cecily, I am not trespassing too much on your valuable time.” This statement by Gwendolen satirizes the trivial preoccupations that Victorian high society gives undue importance.
Algernon’s proclamation, “Divorces are made in heaven,” mocks the institution of marriage, reflecting Wilde’s critique of societal norms and the folly of blindly adhering to them.

Foolish Pursuits of Stereotypical Ideals

“In married life three is company and two is none,” verbalised by Algernon, ridicules the unrealistic expectations and romantic ideals held about marital life.
“It is awfully hard work doing nothing. However, I don’t mind hard work where there is no definite object of any kind.” Algernon’s line displays a blatant disregard for responsibility or purpose, thus emphasizing the Victorian era’s misguided values on work and leisure.

Devotion of Time to Superficial Pleasures

“I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train.” Gwendolen’s statement mocks the obsession of society with mundane chronicles and news, endorsing instead the pursuit of trivial titillation.
“If I am occasionally a little overdressed, I make up for it by being always immensely over-educated.” Oscar Wilde, through Algernon, comments on the misplaced priorities concerning appearance and education in the Victorian society.

Key Themes Highlighted Through Folly

Absurdity of Social Conventions

The institution of marriage is constantly lampooned through the characters’ interactions, showcasing the absurdity of societal conventions.
The humorous critique of trivial societal norms, such as the emphasis on precise appearance or manners rather than substantial moral character, emphasises the foolishness of blindly adhered traditions.

Tension between Seriousness and Frivolity

The characters’ fixation on frivolous matters in grave situations, and serious undertones in seemingly light-hearted banter, showcases the tension between depth and frivolity.
Wilde’s wit and humour serve as biting commentary on the folly of Victorian society’s misplaced seriousness, suggesting a critical questioning of established norms and values.

Irony of Foolish Pursuits

While earnestness is extolled, it’s the characters’ foolish endeavours and changeable identities that drive the play, reflecting on the paradox of society’s expectations.
The inversion of logic and sense in the play creates a sense of whimsy and highlights the folly of societal pretensions and the pursuit of superficiality.