Lies and deceit reflected on The Importance of Being Earnest

1. Lies and Deceit in The Importance of
Being Earnest
Irene Heni Indrasakti

2. 1. Abstract
In this paper, the writer would like to analyze
the intrinsic elements of Oscar Wilde’s The
Importance of Being Earnest. The purpose is to
discuss the Oscar Wilde’s humor and also
sarcasm in this drama. To analyze this drama,
the writer use close-reading method. The writer
find that death is a ridicules thing. It can be
concluded that Oscar Wilde tried to deliver the
satire about in Victorian era.
Keywords : Oscar Wilde, English drama, humor,
lies and deceit, satire.

3. 2. Introduction
The Importance of Being Earnest is
one of the most famous drama by Oscar
Wilde. It is light and entertaining. Oscar
Wilde, through this drama would like to
give a picture of satire in 1980’s lifestyle.
Lies and deceit were quite important that
time in order to get into certain social
class. Oscar Wilde provided humor
without offending any community.

4. 3. Methodology and Theory
Using close reading method
Method used to have specific identification
of a passage.

5. 4. Biography and Paraphrase
A. Biography of the Author
Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde, an
Irish playwright, poet, and essayist.
Wrote a lot of plays and The Importance
of Being Earnest is his masterpiece
Born on October 16th, 1854 and died on
November 30th, 1900

6. 4. Biography and Paraphrase
B. Paraphrase of the Drama
Jack and Algernon are wealthy men which have
imaginary friends.
Jack lives respectable life while Algernon lives in
luxury.
Jack is in love with Gwendolen, Algernon's
cousin and manages to win her heart. He also
introduced hisself as Ernest to her.
When visiting Jack's house, Algernon pretends
that he is Ernest and also falls in love with
Cecily, Jack's ward.

7. 4. Biography and Paraphrase
• Both Gwendolen and Cecily claimed that
they are engaged to someone with the
name of Ernest. They get confused.
• Eventually, both Jack and Algernon told
the truth and those couples are married.

8. 5. Discussion
• Jack lied about Cecily, he said that Cecily is his
aunt, but Algernon was smart. He turned down
the fact that Cecily is not his aunt. Jack thought
that it was fine to lie about Cecily. He didn't want
to cover up his double life.
• Jack also lied about Ernest.
• Jack revealed his life which is between duty and
pleasure. He made up Ernest in his imagination.
• Algernon also lied. He lied about Bunbury and
unfortunately used Bunbury as his excuse to
avoid family resposibility.

9. 6. Conclusion
To sum up, lies and deceit are the
main focus in this drama. Without any lies
and deceit, this drama will not be
interesting. Like the writer said before, this
drama was a satire towards the 1980s
society. Although the writer need to
understand the 1980s society, this drama
was beautifully written by Wilde.

10. 7. References
Wilde, Oscar. 1990. The Importance of
Being Earnest. New York: Dover
Publications, Inc.