Friday, January 28, 2011

Extending the truth or dishonesty?

What's the difference between spreading one more lie and being dishonest with one more person?  The views of dishonesty in the Importance of Being Earnest seems second nature to every character.  Whether it is about humor, satire on society, the pursuit of pleasure etc. you will find that there is a mark of dishonesty between every line.  Later in Act III Lady Bracknell is talking about her husband and says, "I do not propose to undeceive him.  Indeed I have never undeceived him on any question.  I would consider it wrong." In her view, it seems that dishonesty is deceitful, but it is good to use in many cases, such as in relationships.  Speaking of relationships, I found that most of the Satire was found in humor, but also in marriage.  In Act I Jack tells Algernon that he certainly won't need Bunbury as an excuse to get away from his wife.  However, Algernon replays, "Then your wife will.  You don't seem to realize, that in married life three is company and two is none."  Not only in marriage, but both Algernon and Jack tried to convince their fiancés that their names were Ernest. They were completely dishonest which is the exact opposite of being EARNEST.  It was also seen as second nature for the upper class to skip anything, such as business meeting, for their own pleasure.   
In my opinion, Oscar Wilde is saying that yes everyone is dishonest or untruthful about something, but living your whole life without telling the truth will end up coming back and hurting you or the people you love. In the end Jack states, "I've now realized for the first time in my life the vital Importance of Being Earnest." 

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