Compare and contrast Lady Bracknell with the characters of Jack, Algernon, Cecily and/or Gwendolyn. How does Lady Bracknell demonstrate the traditional values and attitudes of the older generation, and how do the four main characters represent the younger generation’s unconventional ideas? What are the similarities and differences between the generations? Include at least two direct quotes from “The Importance of Being Earnest” in your response.
Lady Bracknell, a dominant figure, represents the traditional values and attitudes of the older generation in "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde. She embodies the rigid social standards of Victorian society, focusing primarily on issues of lineage, wealth, and respectability. In contrast, the four main characters - Jack, Algernon, Cecily, and Gwendolen - epitomize the unconventional ideas of the younger generation, challenging societal norms. They question the importance of social status, emphasize the pursuit of personal happiness, and exhibit a more relaxed attitude towards societal expectations.
Lady Bracknell's adherence to traditional values is evident in her insistence on a proper marriage based on wealth and social standing rather than love. When Jack proposes to Gwendolen, Lady Bracknell interrogates him about his background, specifically his parentage and wealth, saying, "To speak frankly, I am not in favour of long engagements. They give people the opportunity of finding out each other's character before marriage, which I think is never advisable." (Act I) Her emphasis on social status and financial stability reveals her belief that these factors are crucial in a successful union.
Furthermore, Lady Bracknell dismisses Jack as a potential suitor for Gwendolen due to his lack of known lineage, saying, "Thirty-five is a very attractive age. London society is full of women of the very highest birth who have, of their own free choice, remained thirty-five for years." (Act I) This quote exemplifies the older generation's focus on age and social status, equating them to attractiveness and worth. Lady Bracknell's refusal to let Gwendolen marry without her approval highlights the traditional notion of the elder generation having control over the decisions of the younger generation.
On the other hand, the younger characters challenge these traditional values. For instance, Jack and Algernon's pursuit of the imaginary persona of Ernest demonstrates their desire to escape the constraints of their strict and respectable lives. These alter egos allow them to engage in unconventional behavior without societal consequences. Algernon declares, "Really, if the lower orders don't set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them? They seem, as a class, to have absolutely no sense of moral responsibility." (Act II) This quote reveals the younger generation's skepticism towards traditional moral values, suggesting that social class does not determine one's worth.
Both Cecily and Gwendolen also exhibit unconventional ideas by refusing to conform to societal expectations. Cecily, for example, constructs elaborate love affairs in her diary, presenting herself as a romantic protagonist and disregarding societal restraints. Gwendolen, similarly, is determined to marry a man named Ernest, irrespective of his actual character, claiming, "I pity any poor married woman whose husband is not called Ernest." (Act II) These characters demonstrate a rejection of the traditional notion of marriage as a means to secure status and wealth, instead promoting the pursuit of personal happiness and emotional connection.
In conclusion, "The Importance of Being Earnest" contrasts the traditional values and attitudes of Lady Bracknell with the unconventional ideas of the younger generation represented by Jack, Algernon, Cecily, and Gwendolen. Lady Bracknell embodies the rigid societal standards of the elder generation, emphasizing wealth, lineage, and respectability in marriage. In contrast, the younger characters challenge these values, questioning the importance of social status and embracing individual happiness. The two generations clash in their contrasting views on love, marriage, and societal expectations, highlighting the generational divide and the changing attitudes of society during the late 19th century.