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

Theme: Gender

Gender Performative Roles: ‘The Importance of being Earnest’ explores gender through the performance of certain societal roles. Characters such as Lady Bracknell embody traditional Victorian ideals of powerful masculinity, whilst men like Algernon and Jack assume a more frivolous, even feminine, disposition.
Subversion of Gender Roles: Wilde subverts traditional gender stereotypes in ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’. Lady Bracknell, for example, utilises a dominant, masculine voice, while the male characters – Jack and Algernon – are often shown as indecisive and passive.
Victorian Ideals of Femininity: Gwendolen and Cecily reflect upper-class Victorian notions of femininity. They are attracted to the idea of ‘Ernest’s’ dangerous masculinity, highlighting the superficiality and absurdity of Victorian ideals of femininity.

Key Quotes:

“All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his.” This quote underscores Algernon’s views on the gendered tragedy of life. The comedic undertone satirises the rigid gender dichotomy of Victorian society.
“Never speak disrespectfully of Society, Algernon. Only people who can’t get into it do that.” Lady Bracknell’s comment here reveals her wielding societal norms and standards as a tool for power, evoking elements of masculine authority.
“I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train.” Gwendolen’s words highlight her desire to lead an interesting life, which challenges the Victorian stereotype of passive femininity being confined to domestic life.

Language and Style

Irony and Satire: Wilde uses irony and satire to challenge and ridicule the restrictions and ideals of gender in Victorian society.
Epigrams: Epigrammatic wit is used to express unconventional views about gender, often underlining the absurd contradiction of societal norms.
Descriptive Language: Wilde uses descriptive language to flesh out his strong female characters, contradicting the standard Victorian depiction of women.