Six of one, half dozen of the other
Posted by MB on June 17, 1998 at 13:59:34:
In response to Any final thoughts on Earnest..., written by Kate on June 17, 1998 at 11:38:42
] Is Wilde saying something about the importance of honesty and sincerity (ernestness...)? or is he just laughing at the total insincerity of Society?
Well, I don't know what Wilde intended (he certainly had a serious side), but I've always taken it to be a little of both.
He saw Edwardian Society as it was, flaws and all, yet he himself was a part of it. As such, any criticism of Society was handled as comedy, while still being "true". In other words, he got away with the criticism (of Society and of himself as a member of it) because it was presented with such style and wit. I'm sure there were many Lady Bracknells and Algernons sitting in the audience, laughing heartily at the portrayals just as we do.
Michele
:-)
- Types Constanza 18:04:10 6/18/98
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