The analysis of the text from The importance of being Earnest (Unfinished)

As I read through the text in act 1 I  found many devices which were present throughout the act. Algernon and Jack used many words which seemed to be stressed to create meaning and emotions which I found. When Jack explains the meaning of why he is Jack in the country and Ernest in town, 'You are hardly serious enough.' I find that 'hardly' would be somehow stressed as it could illustrate the relationship Jack has with Algernon.
Both characters seem to use different types of pitch and tones that are easily distinguished by the topic they come up with. When Algernon responses to Jack's explanation he ends his sentence with an explanation mark which might suggest the kind of tone he wants to use. '...modern literature a complete impossibility!' From this text I can determine the rising inflection at the end of 'impossibility' which is shown to be more stressed and believable.
The tone and personality would also be shown throughout the use of both characters speech. Jack sounds more assertive whereas Algernon is displayed as mischievous and playful, this could help us determine the personality that each character has and their relationship between each other.                          

English- The Importance of Being Earnest Transcript

Scene 1

(Jack and Algernon take their place around the table, while the manservant- Lane serves the starters.)

Jack :( sitting down on a chair at the table) Ah, I haven’t dined for a while now, it seems a new to me to be sitting here with a best companion while eating great food,

Algernon: (Also sitting down opposite Jack.) Well, the time has come to relax and discuss the many issues we generally come up with. I’m sure that you have had a great time getting here and traveling that far. Ah, and what is Gwendolen up to? Your betrothed.

Jack: Algy, the time will come when you realize that Miss Fairfax will become a higher lady than she is.

Algernon: My dear friend you cannot say that it is true but such things cannot become so true. Well, if so, be on guard. I do not think fondly of such enquiries that you have made. Are you truly in love with Cecily or just a tumble of thoughts?

Jack :( laughs quietly) Algernon, I’m sure you’ve realised my feelings towards Gwendolen and I think it is quite beneficial if everyone gets to know the truth. Better to be married than to be widowed.

(Manservant Lane comes walking in with a silver platter and trolley detailed with various foods and starters.)

 Lane: Dinner is served. (He places a plate in front of Algernon then Jack and leaves.)

Jack: Have you realised how gorgeously these chefs have made dinner, it’s extravagantly delicious. Even if Lane serving it was a bit of a drag.

Algernon: (laughs casually) Jack, you do have a great sense of humour.  

Jack: Oh, well the life in the country has seriously changed me, Algy, time has changed. You may call me Ernest and I would not protest.

Algernon: Are you sure? Such phrases said and you turn the conversation around.

Jack: You see me in a different light that is why.

Algernon: Uh?

Jack: Anyway, I wanted to know if there was anything I could do according to past whispers I heard that…

Scene 2

(Both men are smoking heavily, Algernon is sitting on the chair and Jack is standing. Jack is ready to go and leave, but mistakenly forgets to take his cigarette case. This follows with Algernon simultaneously finding it on the chair.)

Jack: I’m sad to leave you my dear friend but I’ve got errands to make. I may come here in a month or so with my beloved Gwendolen.

Algernon: Ah business as usual I’m guessing.

Jack: As the saying goes ‘never fall victim to time’, I may have to rush my plans and settle everything now.

(Jack walks out of the room and goes to get his coat which Lane provides him with.)

Algernon: Save journey and farewell.

(He then sits back down on the chair but as he does, he hits something and exclaims a furious yell to find Jack’s cigarette case laying on the chair.)

Algernon: Ah how careless is this, to leave his cigarette case. Too late to give to him now. Maybe if I leave this here and he can take it when he comes by next. Although I do feel like it is a safe keeping reminder of him that I might get used to having instead. For I realise I seem very fond of him, which I know I should not be. How do I fight these thoughts which easily take over me I find.

(Algernon slumps down on the chair and holds the case in his hands, softly rubbing it.)

The Importance Of Being Earnest

 ‘The Importance of being earnest.’A trivial comedy of serious people.

The title of the book from Oscar Wilde has many meanings and hidden messages which are easy to find, if studied carefully.  It many words the specific title can be broken up explaining the importance of the story and what message its giving out to the audience. I think ‘Being earnest’ would strongly mean that a person or people should have the initiative to become sincere or truthful within serious matters, in this case the story should revolve around a character(s) who becomes  earnest  and open towards the characters ,the play and maybe the audience. I also think that it could mean that a specific character has honesty within himself, which I find may be present in the play, as it also recommends ‘importance’. This might combine the general meaning of it and overall show that the author wants the reader to understand how passionate being earnest means to him personally, and his play. The sub-title is an introduction to what the play could symbolize after being read, which I find is a good way to prepare the reader for the oncoming plot. We would be able to understand the title after proper analysing of the story, however I slowly understood the meaning of the sentence after I read the first page of the play. I found it was supposed to be funny until I realised why but now I can finally recognize that the sub-title of this story is obvious to its meaning.

Moreover, connecting these titles, I also found a link with the cast list which Oscar Wilde would have disguised many means onto the different names the characters have. Firstly, all the names seem to represent the different status the characters have throughout the story, which can possibly change. Some characters clearly have been analysed by the author and is shown in two different sections of society. A man called Algernon Moncrieff seems like he has a good history background, just by looking at the name. It is sophisticated and classy which I am sure would tell a lot about the character and his beliefs. Whereas, another characters name, Jon Worthing, may be seen as insignificant and unimportant because of the sound and type of name which may also distinguish the characters personality and background, although sometimes this may not be the case. However, I also saw that he was a member of the Justice of peace, which can ultimately change the judgement of the name. We can now easily understand that this man is somewhat respected and important to a number of people, which is hard to believe with such an irrelevant name. This may go to show that the author might have done this to express that you don’t have to be fancy to be respected. Other such names including Merriman and Lane have a hidden meaning which I find strange when it has to relate to a butler and manservant. I found that both don’t have a maiden name established which is important if you want to understand their background. This could show the lower status class that they would have been familiar with and how people would perceive them.  

Lady Bracknell’s title expresses the importance and position she might have been in, in the story. It shows that she might have been rich and noble as she is named ‘Lady’ rather than Mrs. This also connects with the character ‘Miss Prism’, she seems like she isn’t married yet, which would have not been ideal at this time, many would have had to marry to survive and have a fortune and in the cast list she is also a governess. I know they wouldn’t have had a lot of money to spend as governess had minimum wage. Even so she would have been helping out with the children; this would give reason to be respected. In addition her surname could also represent how she is throughout the play. ‘Prism’ in her circumstances might symbolize dignity as prisms are closed and secret, or how playful and good-natured she might be throughout the play because of how thought of prism could be turned into toys. This is a good technique the author put inside the story as it could be a form of foreshadowing which can easily be assessed and beneficial.

In the opening of the text, two men characters are situated in the dining room where one we find is clearly a servant and the other is an owner. This is easily distinguished by the first character finishing their sentence with ‘Sir’, and it’s a clear indication that he is the manservant. I realised that having a manservant could say something about the loyal household as I haven’t come across a lady servant in the house by the beginning.

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