What do You think about The Importance Of Being Earnest And Other Plays (2001)?
I loved it !The book I read was a collection of his three plays namely 'Salome' 'Lady Windmeres Fan' and 'The importance of being Earnest'. The first one was a historic subject, whereas the later plays were romantic comedys. Salome : As all we know this is the same Biblical story of Salome who ask's for the head of John the Baptist from the Judean king 'Herod' as a reward for her dance of seven veils.Herod was forced to grant her request.As a difference from Biblical versions Wilde had added that Salome desired/loved John and his rejection filled her heart with vengence and eventually led to this request. Salome is a beauty with the devil's heart.Lady Windmeres Fan : Lady Windmere is a devoted wife,who happens to doubt his husband (because of the circumstances) and fell in trouble with her stupid decisions. The story takes place at the end of Victorian era (in a transition period),hence have strong criticism on principles of morality,marriage and the class divide in English society.Some characters in it are well advanced to the modern age .One among then is Mrs Erlynne who doesnt respect institution of marriage,shows no love/remorse for her child(except in one circumstance).She is a character living for her pleasure and convinience. Wide also point to fake morality and hipocracy of the elite class society.The Importance of being Earnest : This is wonderful romantic comedy,with charming wits,love and a nice suspense.Here again Wide questions the morality and upper class hipocracy.For its charming wit and wonderful dialogues I will rate this 4/5
—Gibin Mathew
Oscar Wilde is such joyous fun! He makes us look at ourselves in the most ironic and funny ways. Certainly he was a master of satire and in this play, he has presented the characters in what I have come to think of as the stiff British way. I loved that is poked a great deal of fun at the staid Victorian period. Mr Wilde himself was certainly everything else but staid and perhaps in thinking of him, we see a man born before his time.The play on the words "Earnest" is fun and yet its does point to the hypocrisy of the time. Men say silly things, woman fall in love with illusions, and the whole thing becomes a farce, is clearly seen throughout this hysterical story which makes the reader oftentimes lol. Short and to the point, this play must have ruffled a few Victorian feathers as I am sure that was the intent. Earnestness was the avenue to reform at the time and to make the poorer class better. Oscar takes this word and has his way with it and ultimately makes this satirical piece flick its nose at the staid and proper British mores of Victorian times.
—Marialyce
The Importance of Being Earnest and Lady Windermere's Fan are fun and light reads, they made me smile and laugh out loud, and they were entertaining. I wish there was a little depth to Earnest, especially regarding the ending. It seemed trivial, and I know that it's a satire, but I couldn't get past the easily-fixed Shakespearean resolution. Salome, on the other hand, was a different read from Wilde. I've read Dorian Gray, short stories, plays, and essays, and Salome falls more in line with the novel and the essays for me. I enjoyed the tone and the language, especially Herod's descriptions of his jewels and other wealth. Overall, I'm a Wilde fan, and I appreciate the different aspects that his writing takes on. My favorite is when he's serious, though, or at least blending comedy with a darker side. I think it showcases his true skill much better.
—Jenny
