Dishonesty in The Importance Of Being Earnest

In the play, The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde dishonesty and deceit are employed throughout the entire play.  In my perspective I feel that the restrictions and standards of Victorian Society lead that particular group of people into behaving the way they did. If it weren't for society's restrictions people of high society wouldn't feel the need to lie and hide feeling and thoughts. Nearly every line in the play was a pun, epigram, or implied some sort of irony. Dishonesty in marriage is expressed in Lady Bracknell's line, "... I am not in favor of long engagements. They give people the opportunity of finding out each other’s character before marriage, which I think is never advisable." I think this justify the fact that marriage wasn't about love, but the appearance of it. Two people living under one roof, putting on a show for those around them. Dishonesty is boldly seen because Jack the main character , has been lying about his name." Jack?... No there is very little music in the name Jack, It does not thrill... the only really safe name is Ernest." This example of dishonesty goes beyond a reference to the name Ernest but, also adds humor to the idea of love. Love isn't based on name, or social standings but of pure attractions between one another. Deceitfulness in the pursuit of pleasure is seen in our everyday lives. The dreams we set for ourselves are all our pursuit of pleasure. But, I think the main example of the  pursuit of happiness in the play is Jack pretending to be Ernest. It is for his own selfish reasoning that he lies and it is for his own personal gain. He didnt think about the longterm effects, he just thought about himself.


In The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde uses satirical writing style to poking fun at the foolishness of Victorian society. But, I think he's also poking fun at the fact that lying, if done well, ends well. For example, if he would have lied and never truly let known who he was he would have still lived a promising life with his wife and family. He is mostly creating an alternate ending to his life, the happily ever after that he never received. I feel that he is also, trying to express his feeling that lying only separates people farther from one another.