Being Earnest and Victorian research

Victorian Era research has enhanced my understanding of The Importance of Being Earnest by giving me and understanding of a woman's position in Victorian Society, the class system and the differences between the social institutions of then and now. The Victorian Era research helped me understand why some things in the play seem a little dated or strange, and why some of the stuff happened or why it happened like it did. Being written in a different age than now sometimes the woman's character or the discussion of classes is hard to relate to or understand so the research spread some light on why that is. Jack says "Oh! One doesn't blurt these things out to people." on page 30. He doesn't want to tell Gwendolen about his ward, partly because of what issues that'll bring up but also because Gwendolen is supposed to be sheltered as she is a lady and shouldn't be in the light of the bad or dishonest things people do. The same applies to Cecily, the entire reason Jack bunbury's is because he feels he needs to be a positive role model to Cecily and show the utmost proper behaviour. Woman are supposed to be protected and sheltered and not have to live in the real world or see it for what it is. This applies because in the Victorian Age woman were subservient to men and were not treated as equals or allowed to make their own decisions.

The research also gave me insight on the class system. I learned that all actions made during the Victorian Era, particularly by the upper class, were made in the attempt to gain social standing. Lady Bracknell says "You can hardly imagine that I and Lord Bracknell would dream of allowing our only daughter-a girl brought up with the utmost care- to marry into a cloak-room, and form an alliance with a parcel?" on page 27 showing that she will not allow her daughter to marry someone with no family connections and is does not have a good name to bring to the table.It matters not the love between Jack and Gwendolen, it only matters what strength the family will gain from a union. This is a deep segregation done by the people of the upper class who feel they shouldn't fraternize with those below them. The research helped me understand why she wouldn't allow her daughter to marry Jack and has given me insight into the play's happenings as a whole.