The Importance of Being Earnest: Hypocrisy

Throughout The Importance of Being Earnest, Wilde plays on the hypocrisy created by society. On multiple occasions, characters behaved differently than expected under those circumstances.

For example, at the beginning of the play, Lane, Algernon's manservant, has stolen champagne from his master and Algernon called him out on it but after a short amount of time, lets it go. Instead of a punishment which the audience expected, Algernon changed the subject and said, "Good heavens! Is marriage so demoralizing as that?" (pg. 6). Another example is when Lady Bracknell suddenly warms up to Cecily when she is told Cecily is rich. She states, "A hundred and thirty thousand pounds! And in the Funds! [Cecily] seems to me a most attractive young lady, now that I look at her. Few girls of the present day have any really solid qualities" (pg. 89). The lack of authenticity lies in the fact that being rich is not necessarily a "solid quality" that makes a person suitable for marriage. Later, Jack, who must approve of the marriage between Cecily and Algernon, points out that, "[He] does not approve at all of his moral character. [He] suspects him of being untruthful" (pg. 91) which is a more significant quality one should look for in a mate than wealth.

The moral values of the characters in The Importance of Being Earnest are cloudy and inconsistent thus causing a great amount of hypocrisy.