Compare Lane, Merriman and Miss Prism as employees and as comic characters what do they bring to the play which would otherwise be missing?

Lane:

• 'I didn't think it polite to listen, sir' (1) obedient, respectful, aware of lines distinguishing social class
• 'I have only been married once. That was a misunderstanding between myself and a young person' joking, social hierarchy not working correctly- shouldn't be joking with his master. Comedic twist, things aren't always as they seem
• 'It is not a very interesting subject. I never think of it myself' (2) lower classes, less valued, higher classes are selfish, lavish lifestyles. Lane= selfless
• 'Lane's view on marriage seems somewhat lax' social commentary, lower classes are relaxed, should set an example. 
• 'Mr Ernest Worthing' (2) serious job, introduces etc- slave. Irrelevant, used like a machine a cog in the system
• 'Yes, sir' (4) obedient, walked all over
• '(gravely) there were no cucumbers' (5) almost as if it's his fault, careful not to annoy his master
• 'It never is, sir' 'Lane, you're a perfect pessimist' 'I do my best to give satisfaction, sir' (27) almost informal relationship however 'sir' marks the social distinction, knows his place

Merriman:

• 'I suppose that is all right?' (38) less obedient than Lane, assumed it was okay to do something. More relaxed relationship, more freedom in the country, less social hierarchy and class distinction
• 'Mr Ernest's luggage, sir' still uses formal language, still below his class- same job as Lane
• 'Yes, Miss' running around after everyone more, less valued
• 'Miss Fairfax' (then leaves) same daily activities/expectations as Lane
• 'Ahem! Ahem! Lady Bracknell' (56) more rude/informal. Ends situation, 'barges' in on it, lower sense of hierarchy

Miss Prism:

• 'Pray open it on page fifteen. We will repeat yesterday's lesson' (28) role is a teacher, supports Cecily unlike Lane and the Merriman who are merely butlers. In charge of Cecily and her learning, although lower class
• 'his gravity and demeanour is especially to be commended in one so comparatively young' (28) admires Jack, perhaps lower class than he
• 'Cecily I am surprised at you. Mr Worthing has many troubles in his life' (28) naive, innocence about her. Scolding Cecily, has more authority over her
• 'irretrievably weak and vacillating' intelligent language, clever woman
• 'Memory, my dear Cecily, is the diary that we all carry about with us' aware, intelligent, wise- old
• 'I have not mentioned anything about a headache' (30) honest, loyal
• 'I will have a stroll with you' she's in control of her own life, freedom, unlike Lane and Merriman
• 'you will read your Political Economy in my absence' still has a sense of responsibility, more relaxed life
• 'You are much too alone... You should get married' not 'beating around the bush', speaks her mind, informal
• 'No married man is ever attractive except to his wife' naive, affairs were happening
• 'More shameful debts and extravagance?' humour with Jack, less formal, she is higher class than Lane and Merriman, and of higher status allowed more freedoms

Comparison

• Lane and Merriman as employees have the same job/role- butlers/servants. Lane is not valued as a human in some ways and neither is the Merriman. They are like parts in a machine, they allow the social hierarchy to work. Also allow the upper classes to live such lavish and luxurious lifestyles, waiting on their every needs.
• Miss Prism on the other hand is still an employee however she has more relaxed roles, relationships and lifestyles. She is authoritative over Cecily as her watcher/teacher and is responsible towards her learning. She admires Jack, her 'upper', and voices this. Lane and Merriman are not shown to have any feelings or opinions on their 'upper', effectively they have no voice to do so.
• As constructs it could be argued that Lane and Merriman highlight the distinction between social classes and they allow the upper class to exist. Wilde uses them to portray the depressing and demoralizing lives that the lower classes lead. By bringing in comic twists he is showing that social class distinction is not working as well as it should be- comedic twist. This idea would be missing without these characters.
• Lane is shown to have a more relaxed relationship with his 'upper' he makes a joke about his marriage. This shows that perhaps they have known each other a long time and although he is of lower class he can still make jokes. Wilde uses this comic character in order to present the idea that perhaps such prominent social distinction is not working as well as it should and is negative. This brings a comedic twist to the play.
• 'Lane’s ease with deceit underscores Wilde’s point: everyone understands his or her role in this society, and excels at playing it.' (Shmoop)
• Miss Prism has an entirely different role. As a comic character she represents middle classes. She has high morals and responsibilities, she is also very intelligent. Unlike the other two she is allowed to voice opinions. Again this creates another comedic twist.
• The character of Merriman is perhaps considered the most formal. He rarely makes jokes or has any part in speech other than when spoken to. Wilde may have included this comic character in order to portray how in fact the social distinction should be working. Without him this element would be missing.

Summary
These comic characters allow Wilde to portray the prominent class distinctions which would otherwise be missing. They show how reliant the upper class are on having someone to wait on them day and night. They also allow Wilde to add a comedic twist, as all is not what it seems.