What attitudes towards Religion appear in Act 2? Consider christenings, services, relevance of religion to daily life

References to religion in  Act 2:

• Wilde uses Miss Prism and Reverend Chasuble to comment on religion and morals
• Chasuble speaks in metaphors, represents religion- religious figure in daily life
• Chasuble performs christenings without a wink of an eye, discarding importance and respect for religion
• sometimes he slips and reveals his lust for Miss Prism- absent-minded. "Were I fortunate enough to be Miss Prism's pupil, I would hang upon her lips."
• 'That is obviously the reason why the Primitive Church has not lasted up to the present day'
• 'I have preached it at harvest celebrations, christenings, confirmations' (35)
• 'surely you have been christened already?'
• 'Perfectly! Perfectly! I have two similar ceremonies at the same time.

• Chasuble as a minister/reverend is exposed to religion in his daily life. It is a highly relevant subject to him, he performs christenings etc. However, on some occasions he seems absent-minded about it and forgets his respect. These are shown in reference to Miss Prism. Wilde uses this to represent his view on Victorian religion and respectability (dull and absent).
• Christenings are not taken very seriously in this play. Jack and Algernon decide they will spontaneously have one in order to please women and obtain what they desire (a relationship). This view degrades religion/the religious service. In their case religion is not respected, their attitudes are lax.

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.

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. 

How is deception developed in Act 2?

• 'Mr Worthing has many troubles in his life... Idle merriment and triviality would be out of place in this conversation' (28) ironic, deceived/naive Jack does in fact have this in his life (double lives). Developed as being believed, see innocence in Jack and believe his lies intently
• 'young man his brother' (28) again successfully been deceived, sheltered lives believe Jack's lies and his 'brother'. Revolve their lives around deceit 
• 'unfortunate young man his brother seems to be' (30) developing empathy for fictional character- deceived 
• 'Mr Ernest Worthing has just driven' 'Uncle Jack's brother' (31) deception is elevated into reality, finally meeting this 'brother'- lies Algernon in disguise
• 'I am your cousin Cecily' (31) increasing deception, lying to her face, misleading her . Deception is slowly being developed to form a relationship
• 'you have certainly been deceiving us all in a very inexcusable manner' (31) irony played upon, he is deceiving them in this way, 'I hope you have not been leading a double life' LIES HE HAS, ironic
• 'I have been very bad in my own small way' (31) hinting at deception, teasing the theme through, obvious irony, slowly developing it
• 'I have a business appointment' more deceit, one lie leads to another- huge web of deceit and lies intertwining 
• 'No married man is ever attractive except to his wife' deceived, affairs do happen, secrecy, sheltered lifestyle
• 'Your brother Ernest is dead? Quite Dead' (34) what Jack hoped to be the end of the deceit, audience knows not the case, backfires on him. Wanted to end double life and all the lies.
• 'I offer my sincere condolence' reinforcing their trust and believing of Jack's lies, empathy
• 'I would like to be christened myself' deceive Gwendolen, willing to lie to her. Building relationship on lies- develop plots, unite them
• 'We have been engaged for the last three months' deceiving herself, like Jack and Algernon are. Believes her own lies/hopes
• 'Oh any name you like -Algernon- for instance...' 'But I don't like the name Algernon' 'I fear I might not be able to give you my undivided attention' deceiving her, his name is Algernon, reality of lies setting in
• 'Ernest has a very strong upright nature. He is the very soul of truth and honour. Disloyalty would be as impossible to him as deception' (45) ironic, Jack has been lying to her all along- deceiving her. Relationship built upon lies
• 'I am going to be his' (G) 'Mr Ernest and I are engaged to be married' (C) (46) deception is developed, harsh reality sets in, can't lie forever
• 'This is Uncle Jack' 'is my cousin Mr Algernon' Lies revealed, deception is unveiled prominent theme
• 'a gross deception has been practiced on both of us' (49) deception unveiled

Summary

Wilde carefully sculpts his play to slowly tease and develop the theme of deception, this is clearly demonstrated within Act 2. At the beginning the reader is introduced to Jack's other 'double life' where Cecily awaits. Her tutor, Miss Prism, highlights a firm belief of Jack's brother who does not actually exist- she states 'Mr Worthing has many troubles in his life... Idle merriment and triviality would be out of place in this conversation' however the reader knows this is in fact the opposite. It shows that they believe and think he is honest. Wilde creates a sheltered and naive world in which they live, revolving themselves around Jack and his deceit. It could be said that for Cecily this world is almost like a dream state drawn away from harsh reality with a certain innocence about it. This has been established through deception.

Homework Tasks

1.) How is the theme of deception developed in Act 2?
2.)Explore how the country characters are different to the town characters through language, activities and attitudes
3.) Collect examples of matched language patterns for the 6 pairs of characters. How are similar patterns revealed in this play?
4.) How do running jokes contribute to the comedy of Act 2? (German food?)
5.) Compare Lane, Merriman and Miss Prism as employees and as comic characters what do they bring to the play which would otherwise be missing?
6.) What attitudes towards Religion appear in Act 2? Consider christenings, services, relevance of religion to daily

How are women in Act 1 of The Importance Of Being Earnest shown to have the upper hand?

During Act 1 of The Importance Of Being Earnest in various parts women are shown to have the upper hand. Before one is even introduced to any female constructs this is made clear. Jack questions 'Why cucumber sandwiches?... reckless extravagance' and the reader is made aware that it is because Algernon's Aunt Augusta and Gwendolen are visiting him. This presents them as having the upper hand as Algernon has gone out of his way in order to impress them. It shows that they are at a higher advantage than he is and he feels he has to prove himself to them. 

This upper hand is further reinforced through the quote 'If Gwendolen accepts me' it demonstrates the fact that she has the upper hand over Jack. She will be the one to dictate and control the status of their relationship. As he is in 'love' with her Gwendolen has the power to either devastate him emotionally, or make him happy. In this section Jack portrays men to be weak and their feelings to be unimportant when deciding fate, the word 'If' accentuates this. 

How are women in Act 1 shown to have the upper hand? Explore more than what happens on stage, how they are spoken about, what they say, how they react etc.

• (8) 'Why all these cups? Why cucumber sandwiches?... reckless extravagance'
• (9) 'They are ordered specially for Aunt Augusta'

two women- Aunt Augusta and Gwendolen coming for tea, power/upper hand over Algernon. He wants to impress them, gone to extreme lengths to do so- out of his way. Made sublime effort. Jack not allowed one, lower hierachy. Not worthy of one.

• (9) 'It is almost as bad as the way Gwendolen flirts with you' 

negative, degrading against women. Sexist. Shows Gwendolen has a power over Jack, she instigates and controls the flirting

• (9) 'I am in love with Gwendolen'

has a power/upper hand over Jack. Controls through love, has seduced him. Powerful bond/attachment, devoted to her wants to marry her

• (10) 'girls never marry the men they flirt with. Girls don't think it right' 

girls in control of marriage, decided by them. Promiscuous behaviour of women

• (14) 'If Gwendolen accepts me'

upper hand in deciding the fate of their relationship, has the power to either please Jack or break him emotionally- break his heart

• 'she is the only girl I ever saw in my life that I would marry'
• (17) 'ever since I have met you I have admired you more than any girl'

captivated Jack and his feelings, devoted to her, would go to enormous lengths to please the one he loves,  she can control him- upper hand

• (18) 'I must get christened at once'

willing to change himself to meet her approval, will do anything for her

• (19) 'rise sir!'

controlling, hierachy, authoritativeness, upper hand in his behaviour

• (19) 'I... shall inform you of the fact' 

controlling every aspect of their lives