Laura
Explore Wilde’s presentation of Algernon (2018)
Pessimistic outlook to marriage
Subverting convention of romantic comedy- stock character of a cad
Inversions ‘divorce are made in heaven’
Aphorisms- undermine later confession of love because superficial
Until meeting Cecily
Championing importance of genuine love in marriage
Revealed in exposition of the play
Rather than pursuing villainy, he seems to be content with his pursuit of pleasure
He is defined by his hedonism
Expose Victorian society
Bunburying, appearance of good morals (duality)- visiting sick friend- awareness of
death, maintains a respectable social façade when indulging in an immoral private life
Rewarded with love anyway- no consequences in this trivial world
Crisis of identity- conflict in modern society
Ibsen- social commentary
Food and eating- highlights his juvenile nature and how he expresses his suppressed
emotions
Gender
Rake- appearances, The picture of Dorian gray, ‘the decay of lying’- art should be
valued for what it is not its imbued symbolic or allegorical meaning
Subverts our expectations of Victorian ideals of masculinity
Dandyism (archetype) - he reflects Wilde himself, homosexuality
Comparison with Jack
‘he looks nothing everything but knows nothing’
Explore Wilde’s presentation of Gwendolen
Dominates Jack- independence/ autonomy
Wants perfect conditions for marriage proposal
Separate spheres- her and her mother possess masculine characteristics, assertive
and blunt, her repartee with Jack when he attempts to propose.
New Woman- Wilde was editor of the woman’s world- he claimed ‘women rule society’
Subverts audiences’ initial expectations
Conforms to stereotype of young Victorian women and obedient daughter although
Undermines mother’s authority but not aware
Darwinian theory- survival of the fittest
Her mother’s protection of her
Ignores her mother
A mouthpiece to expose Victorian superficiality
Obsession with the name Ernest (homosexuality)- irony, Wilde’s own wife’s naivety
regarding his gay status
Reflected by Cecily- so universal issue
Couples speak in unison
Aestheticism
Wilde suggesting genuine love?
Absurdities of life- provides humour
She provides Wilde with the opportunity to discuss marriage
Jack’s romantic concerns with marriage
The ideals of Victorian society regarding class in marriage
Explore Wilde’s presentation of Algernon (2018)
Pessimistic outlook to marriage
Subverting convention of romantic comedy- stock character of a cad
Inversions ‘divorce are made in heaven’
Aphorisms- undermine later confession of love because superficial
Until meeting Cecily
Championing importance of genuine love in marriage
Revealed in exposition of the play
Rather than pursuing villainy, he seems to be content with his pursuit of pleasure
He is defined by his hedonism
Expose Victorian society
Bunburying, appearance of good morals (duality)- visiting sick friend- awareness of
death, maintains a respectable social façade when indulging in an immoral private life
Rewarded with love anyway- no consequences in this trivial world
Crisis of identity- conflict in modern society
Ibsen- social commentary
Food and eating- highlights his juvenile nature and how he expresses his suppressed
emotions
Gender
Rake- appearances, The picture of Dorian gray, ‘the decay of lying’- art should be
valued for what it is not its imbued symbolic or allegorical meaning
Subverts our expectations of Victorian ideals of masculinity
Dandyism (archetype) - he reflects Wilde himself, homosexuality
Comparison with Jack
‘he looks nothing everything but knows nothing’
Explore Wilde’s presentation of Gwendolen
Dominates Jack- independence/ autonomy
Wants perfect conditions for marriage proposal
Separate spheres- her and her mother possess masculine characteristics, assertive
and blunt, her repartee with Jack when he attempts to propose.
New Woman- Wilde was editor of the woman’s world- he claimed ‘women rule society’
Subverts audiences’ initial expectations
Conforms to stereotype of young Victorian women and obedient daughter although
Undermines mother’s authority but not aware
Darwinian theory- survival of the fittest
Her mother’s protection of her
Ignores her mother
A mouthpiece to expose Victorian superficiality
Obsession with the name Ernest (homosexuality)- irony, Wilde’s own wife’s naivety
regarding his gay status
Reflected by Cecily- so universal issue
Couples speak in unison
Aestheticism
Wilde suggesting genuine love?
Absurdities of life- provides humour
She provides Wilde with the opportunity to discuss marriage
Jack’s romantic concerns with marriage
The ideals of Victorian society regarding class in marriage
