The Importance of Being Earnest
Act II, Second Half
Why is such importance placed on what food is in fashion, and why does Gwendolen react so strongly when she is not given what she requests?
The importance placed on food trends in the play reflects the superficiality and triviality of the upper-class society in which the characters live. In this world, social status and prestige are often determined by one's ability to follow and adhere to the latest fads, including what food one eats. Therefore, being served the latest fashionable food is seen as a symbol of wealth and status.
Gwendolen's strong reaction when she is not given what she requests highlights her sense of entitlement and her belief that she deserves only the best and most fashionable things. Her reaction also reflects her shallowness and preoccupation with appearances, as she is more concerned about the social implications of being served the wrong food than with the actual substance and quality of what she is eating.
Overall, the emphasis on food trends and Gwendolen's reaction to not getting what she wants serve as a satire of the superficiality and materialism of upper-class society, highlighting the characters' shallow values and priorities.