Satire in “The Importance of Being Earnest” and Wilde’s Intention
Oscar Wilde is the Victorian English author known for his mode of satirical writing that exposed many flaws of the idealized society where posh pride, the vitality of social status, and estimation of one’s personality value based on wealth heritage have become dominating in establishing relationships. The author of The Importance of Being Earnest was not afraid to satirize the play, not only the cliched characters and plot development but also the audience who would watch the play. Wilde resorts to such an experimental and courageous move because he wants to make the viewers self-introspect on their actual behavior and set of human values that could as well appear not drastically different from the characters of the play.
Wilde’s Stylistic Devices: Parody and Paradox
In the play, two stylistic devices stand out of the others from Wilde’s distinct approach to performances. Parody is the first device that makes mocking characters and the audience possible at the same time. For example, Jack and Gwendolen cannot be together because the male character lacks the nobility of his family as well as being the carrier of the name different from Earnest. Gwendolen is in the obsession with this name and wishes to have no other husband than Earnest, yet Jack does not fit her needs (Niederhoff para. 4). As the plot unravels, it appears that Jack is christened as “Ernest,” while Lady Bracknell is his aunt granting him a privileged aristocratic origin. Most people in Victorian society praised social status as the defining factor in starting relationships between sexes, so it is not surprising that Wilde almost explicitly points to women in the theater hall that their judgments are excessively flexible in this regard.
The second stylistic tool that allows Wilde to express satire in his play is the paradox. The author frequently resorts to the second type of paradox, which is the statement of the opposite of the received opinion. In other words, the second type of paradox contradicts not itself but common sense (Niederhoff para. 7). The example of such paradox can be found in the scene when Gwendolyn comments on traditional gender roles in Victorian society. She stated that there was not anything wrong with the man being the housekeeper instead of traveling across the world protecting the well-being of the empire. By resorting to such stylistic tools, Wilde wants viewers to get confused about their present desires and sense of conformity in the context of Victorian cultural space.
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Challenging Victorian Gender Norms
Victorian society heavily emphasized the division of masculinity and femininity as two separately standing social constructs. Such reality neglected to suggest that the state of things in society may be far more blurred than a simple black-to-white paradigm of gender redistribution. The normal expectation of the audience coming to see the play would be to see young ladies in delicate, romantic, and dependent portrayals, while men had to express such qualities as self-sufficiency, versatility in life dilemmas, and experience in acting as protectors of women (Jordan 102). At first glance, it seems that both Jack and Algy have the base for being the Victorian exemplars of masculine perfection. Nevertheless, Wilde does not hesitate to strike the viewers with another course of reality persistent in the play to make them wonder whether they resemble the role models of Victorianism at all.
It turns out that the female characters of the play, like Gwendolen and Lady Bracknell, are far more masculine according to the personality feature set of that time. The gentlemen continuously argue with each other and try to figure out their affairs, while women observe the crumpling action from a critical and cold-blooded perspective. For instance, Jack decides to propose to Gwendolen, fluffs it, and finds the woman taking the whole proceeding out of his hands by telling him what to do (Jordan 102). Thus, Gwendolen is also committed to the idea of having her husband named Ernest being, completely inflexible over any alterations. The men become obliged to bend their knees to such determination looking for ways to please the women in charge. In other words, a completely dystopian picture for the Victorian audience.
A Critique of Victorian Morality and Ethics
One of the prominent areas of criticism in the play is a satire of Victorian society that existed under the binary moral and ethical aspects of moral and immoral, trivial and serious, and urban-country juxtaposition. Victorian morality is known for being the storehouse of contradictions and inconsistencies, and taboos, as well as social constructs, appear mostly irrational rather than orienting on human nature and its desires (Hazra 3). Satirization takes place even looking at the title of the play, highlighting a personal quality under the adjective “earnest” that is implied through the name of one of the main characters Earnest. Wilde presents the idea that Victorian society became so labeled with the best qualities of humanity people forgot what those traits mean in everyday life. Thus, it became easier to simulate a person who is earnest even without behaving like that alas of the name Earnest.
It seems that the kind of provocative ideas and content that Wilde put into the play would create an irritating effect on the audience at first sight. But it is through such discomfort and disagreement the audience would experience self-awakening and introspection of what the half of a century of Victorianism brought in the end. The period was guided by the irrational limitation of human nature and the dynamics of human personality, and it was the primary goal of Wilde to deliver the sense to the people who had bought the tickets.
The Importance of Being Earnest is one of the canonic examples of Wilde’s plays where the author is not afraid to satirize not only flat characters and mediocre plots but also the viewers who buy tickets to see the performance. The creator is full of confidence to make such an experimental and courageous step because he wants to make viewers self-introspect on their behavior and set personality values with the potential of being not dramatically different than among characters of the play. The focus on two stylistic devices allows Wilde to achieve a distinct satirizing effect from his play. Parody links mockery over characters and audience at the same time. The paradox is the next tool that is represented via the statement of the opposite in the received opinion. The author is not barred from satirization of the Victorian society that emerged as biased with the self-opposing morality of right and wrong. Every viewer who enters the hall to see the play becomes the receiver of Wilde’s satirical yet bitter-sweet message. It is clear that whether Victorian society can be seen critically by its dwellers, it is also a burden to see how exactly one’s moral values and behavior refer to the author’s criticism.
Works Cited
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Hazra, Indrani. “The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People, Oscar Wilde: A Critical Analysis.” Journal of English and Literature, vol. 6, no. 1, 2016, pp. 1-6.
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Jordan, John O. “Style and Morality in Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest.” The English Journal, vol. 60, no. 1, 1971, pp. 102-108.
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Niederhoff, Burkhard. “Oscar Wilde: The Importance of Being Earnest.” Literature and Its Times: Profiles of 300 Notable Literary Works and the Historical Events that Influenced Them, vol. 3, Gale, 1997, pp. 185-188.
South Korea: Culture, History, And Customs
Introduction to South Korea
South Korea is a very beautiful and cultured country. With both Korean and American influences, South Korea has greatly evolved over time with the rest of the world and maybe have even surpassed it just a little. South Korea was discovered on August 17, 1948, after the cold war, although their leader Syngman Rhee had declared independence two days before it was claimed by the Americans. So far, South Korea has participated in the Russo-Japanese War, the Korean DMZ conflict, the Korean Conflict, and the Korean War. Of which they have both won and lost, but South Korea would not be where they are today if not for their history. South Korea has fought both with and against America and other big countries, but they have held their ground and fought for their country’s beliefs.
Government and Topography
Like America, South Korea has a Legislative, Executive, and Judicial government. South Korea’s government is pretty stable, considering that they don’t have a totalitarian government like North Korea. They have a president who can suggest new laws or veto them, and they have a court to make laws official, and they have the Judicial who makes sure the laws are fit for the country and makes sure that it does not harm their people. South Korea also has elections for their next presidentTopographyEarly European visitors described Korea to resemble a sea in a heavy gale’ because of the number of big mountain ranges that crossed the peninsula. But the highest mountains are in North Korea. South Korea also doesn’t have any major plain areas; its lowlands are the effect of mountain erosion.
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Cultural Insights: Customs, Food, and Currency
Korean culture is profoundly influenced by Confucian principles, and this pervades not only personal lives but also business. Confucianism supports group harmony, respect for elders and authority, the importance of family, friendship, ancestors, and also tradition.modern country with a strong American influence on its culture. It’s often the conflict between traditional customs and American influence. Their religions are Christianity and Buddhism, although shamanism is still around. Shamanism is the worship of gods, and another name for it is “Pungwoldo.” Shamanism has about 5 to 15 million followers to this day and is still in action even in China.
Foods
Most Korean foods are delicious yet historic. They have foods like kimchi, Samgyeopsal, Pork bulgogi, Korean barbecue, and even a hangover stew. But the food that I’m most interested in is their live squid called “San-naked.” San-nakji is served with one cut-up octopus arm. It translates to “baby octopus” because of its small size and little legs that squirm around on your plate. Korean food can range from a simple stew to something you would find at the bottom of the ocean that’s as raw as you can get. CurrencyJapan has the yen, the UK has pounds, and South Africa has the rand, but what does Korea have? South Korean money, or Korean money in general, is measured in won. One single won is divided into 100 jeon. One United States dollar is the equivalent of 1066.26 won. The old Korean won used to be a combination between Chinese yuan and Japanese yen. Although North and south korea separated after World War II, they still have the same currency and only being divided up by 100 jeon, but no one uses it anymore, considering its ancient history.
Travel and Business in Korea
South Korea has many pretty places to see, but the place that I’m most interested n is Seoul. Seoul is the capital of south korea and has very many opportunities and jobs for local Koreans. Seoul is home to many different pop-up cultures and high technologies. South Korea is also home to Busan. Busan is known for its beaches and tourist resorts, but it also holds Buddhist temples and its great mountains. Jinhae would also be a beautiful place to visit, considering its Korean festivals and art displays. Jinhae is also Korea’s national railroad, where both Koreans and tourist travel to see the city or to get to different places. South Korea is just a beautiful and healthy place to visit overall.HotelsWhen or is I visit South Korea, I do plan on staying in a local hotel that is close to all the things to do and see. The Conrad Hotel is located in Seoul and is very local yet seducing at the same time. Conrad Hotel has been placed number 5 for best hotels in Seoul and is an 8-minute walk from the nearest subway. Their number is 01182261377000, although that’s too many digits to call in America, and you’d probably have to know Korean in order to actually get a room. But Korea has many other hotels that are just as local as the next, but you do want to spend your trip comfortably and in style.
Korean business customs are very different than the American way. Many businesses are family-owned, and it is rare to see anything else but that. They also have a strong informal hierarchy, which is based on personal relationships and loyalties. Koreans don’t just work with anyone and make sure that they can trust each other with their businesses. Korean managers are also expected to take a deep interest in the well-being of their staff, and it includes an interest in their personal life, which is really good because some of the managers today in other countries couldn’t care less about their employees. Another insight on Korean businesses is that they always show respect to senior people. They do not keep senior people waiting, and in fact, it is extremely rude and disrespectful.
Conclusion
In conclusion, South Korea is a very busy, beautiful, and respectful place, and I want to take a trip there soon. They have nice food (besides the live squid) and great places to see, and great music as a bonus. Korea is home to many great things and is open to others. Although their currency and customs are a bit the same in American culture, we do have the same government, but their business customs might be a little different. But besides the similarities and differences, South Korea does seem like a great place to visit, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
