Explore how the country characters are different to the town characters through language, activities and attitudes

Town:

• Eccentric behaviour in town from upper class aristocracy 'As far as the piano is concerned, sentiment is my forte' 'Good heavens!' 'Oh pleasure, pleasure!' (1) 
• 'When one is in town one amuses oneself. When one is in the country one amuses other people. It is excessively boring' (8) country= boring, town=exciting, more responsibilities in the country, old life, in the town he can be young and carefree 
• 'Perfectly horrid! Never speak to one of them' (8) dislikes the country and the people there, town thriving
• Town folk are more disrespectful in general, to others etc: 'I don't know that I am much interested in your family life, Lane' lower classes less valued/important
• More prominent class distinction 'Thank you, sir' 'I didn't think it polite to listen, sir'  
• selfish social commentary 'if the lower orders don't set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them?' regardless of feelings and the fact they are people too. Arrogant, pompous attitudes
• Algernon teasing/winding up Jack with wit: 'but this isn't your cigarette case. This case is a present from someone of the name Cecily' 'But why does she call herself little Cecily?' (11) nosey, relentless
• Deceitful, liars, less morals 'The truth is rarely pure and never simple' 'You have invented yourself a very useful younger brother ... in order that you may be able to come up to town as often as you like' 'Bunburyist' (13) 
• Bathos, rich: 'No cucumbers!' 'I am greatly distressed Aunt Augusta, about there being no cucumbers, not even ready for money.' (15) think money/status can buy them everything
• social distinction, patriachy, society is controlled by the upper class in town: 'When you do become engaged I, or your father... will inform you of the fact' (19) 'you were not down on my list of eligible young men'
• Town characters=careless, eccentric, arrogant, controlled by social hierachy

Country:

• more respectful/concerned 'Uncle Jack is very serious!' (Prism)
• Cecily- younger generation, more rebellious/rude 'I suppose that is why he often looks a little bored when we three are together' (28)
• activities- Cecily=sheltered from outside world 'I keep a diary in order to enter the wonderful secrets of my life' quiet, doesn't gossip, secretive
• Wise, relaxed, calm less fun than town 'the manuscript was unfortunately abandoned' literature, writing (Prism)
• honesty from elders- Prism 'I have not mentioned anything about a headache' sincere, loyal, lack humour
• 'pink rose' Cecily constantly watering/tending roses, gives one to Algernon, background of her fantasy/dream land

Summary

The town constructs are portrayed by Wilde as being eccentric, on page one we are introduced to this through Algernon stating 'sentiment is my forte'. This highlights over exaggerated behavior on playing the piano. It also shows that they are extremely wealthy and life in lavish luxury. This eccentricity allows a sense of social hierarchy and the upper class having high levels of authority to unfold within the town as a setting. The character of Lane rectifies this he constantly refers to Algernon as 'sir' and shows obedience, for example in the line 'I didn't think it polite to listen, sir'. Wilde portrays the lower class as unimportant. In the country this hierarchy is less prominent.