The Importance of Being Earnest

PART A

In The Importance of Being Earnest, the title holds great significance. "Earnest" is defined as serious in intention, purpose, or effort. The characters believe that they are earnest, but in truth they are the opposite. They believe themselves to be so serious that they become comically ridiculous. At the end, when Jack claims he has learned the importance of being earnest, he really has learned nothing- throughout the novel, he and the other characters are perfectly silly.

PART B

LADY BRACKNELL: I am pleased to hear it. I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone. The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever. (page 13)

This quote shows just how ignorant the characters are- specifically, in this case, Lady Bracknell. Education is always better than ignorance, for innumerable reasons. However, Lady Bracknell seems convinced that ignorance is better, likely because she herself is ignorant. Her own stupidity leaves her convinced that she is perfect and everyone else should remain unintelligent so that they can be ‘perfect’ too.

PART C

I enjoyed The Importance of Being Earnest. It was entertaining, and the characters were a never-ending source of amusement. They took themselves so seriously, but the things that came out of their mouths were absolute nonsense. They didn’t see their own ridiculousness, which it made it even more hilarious.