This play present many humorous conflicts such as dual identities of the characters Jack and Algernon. Both characters have an alternate identity that they use in the opposite area of life. Jack who is from the country uses the Identity of Earnest as an excuse to visit court, and Algernon uses the identity of Bunbury as an excuse to leave the court and visit the country.
Althought this is a clever sceme that both employ it is bound to present major conflict in the future as one can only hold a false identity for so long. This arising conlfict becomes apparent when Jack proposes to Gwendolen. She shows great affection towards Jack's false name of Earnest. "The moment Algernon mentioned to me that he had a friend called Ernest, I know I was destined to love you"(129). Once Jack realizes that gwendolen is so drawn to his false name the pressure of his false identity begins to build. "Personally, darling, to speak quite candidly, I don't much care about the name of Ernest... I must say there are much nicer names. I think, Jack, for instance, a charming name."(129). His false identity is putting pressure upon him, this is apparent in this quote.
Other problems presented in this act are less important but reveal a significant amount about each character. The less serious dilemma of missing cucumber sandwiches provides a humorous problem that is slickly covered up by both Algernon and Lane's quick thinking and wit. "There were no cucumbers at the market this morning sire, I went down twice, No Cucumber!, No sir, not even for ready money."(126). This dilemma is overcome by their wit, it also reveals Algernon's view on the truth, as he comes up with such a clever lie. It is shown that Algernon takes pride in his bunburying which includes the use of lies. It is this cleverness that enables them to execute this successfully, at least for a while.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
LRJ #1
In act one Algernon's views on marriage are revealed to the reader. Algernon addresses marriage as a non serious subject that he sometimes mocks. Algernon often references Bunbury when speaking of marriage. "...in married life three is a company and two is none"(Wilde 124). It is this the tone in which he speaks that reveals his non-serious view on marriage.
Algernon's mocking of marriage conflicts that of the character Jack, who is in love with Gwendolen and plans to propose to her that evening. This confliction shows tone of a friendly quarrel. The conversation of these two is conflicting and argumentative because of these conflicting views on marriage, but this also presents a bit of humor. Although they share different views on much that they speak of the conversation remains light and friendly, although argumentative. "...Divorce court was specially invented for people whose memories are so curiously constituted"(118). Here Jack speaks of his view of divorce, but Algernon, being argumentative shows conflicting views which he speaks. "Oh! There is no use speculating on that subject. Divorces are made in Heaven"(118).
The conversation also draws tension from dual identities that each character has. Algernon questions the cigarette case that belongs to Jack which speaks of his ward, Cecily. "However, it makes no matter, for, now that I look at the inscription I find that the thing isn't yours after all... This cigarette case is a present from someone of the name of Cicily, and you say you don't anyone of that name"(119-120). This questioning of dual identity shows up with Jack as well as he questions the odd term that Algernon uses so often. His fried by the name of Bunbury. "I have always suspected you of being a confirmed Bunburyist; and I am quite sure of it now."(121). This odd reference adds a small amount of confusion into the tone of the overall conversation. This underlying tone of conflicting views, and odd questionings induced by dual identities is the driving factor behind the conversation between the two friends.
Algernon's mocking of marriage conflicts that of the character Jack, who is in love with Gwendolen and plans to propose to her that evening. This confliction shows tone of a friendly quarrel. The conversation of these two is conflicting and argumentative because of these conflicting views on marriage, but this also presents a bit of humor. Although they share different views on much that they speak of the conversation remains light and friendly, although argumentative. "...Divorce court was specially invented for people whose memories are so curiously constituted"(118). Here Jack speaks of his view of divorce, but Algernon, being argumentative shows conflicting views which he speaks. "Oh! There is no use speculating on that subject. Divorces are made in Heaven"(118).
The conversation also draws tension from dual identities that each character has. Algernon questions the cigarette case that belongs to Jack which speaks of his ward, Cecily. "However, it makes no matter, for, now that I look at the inscription I find that the thing isn't yours after all... This cigarette case is a present from someone of the name of Cicily, and you say you don't anyone of that name"(119-120). This questioning of dual identity shows up with Jack as well as he questions the odd term that Algernon uses so often. His fried by the name of Bunbury. "I have always suspected you of being a confirmed Bunburyist; and I am quite sure of it now."(121). This odd reference adds a small amount of confusion into the tone of the overall conversation. This underlying tone of conflicting views, and odd questionings induced by dual identities is the driving factor behind the conversation between the two friends.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
