On "The Importance of Being Earnest"

“The Importance of Being Earnest” (fig. La importancia de llamarse honesto)

Wilde uses a pun of words for the title of his “sentimental comedy”. Shall we call it “The importance of being ERNEST”? A bunch of critics (including me) have pointed out that the title of Wilde’s play gives us the key to success (and to understand it).  

This comedy of manners reveals a side of life: “nature and the human being” I would say.

It would be easier for those who have read the play to understand me. Jack Worthing (is he worth it?). He is the pivotal figure in the play and he pretends to be what he is not. Why does Gwendolen only want to marry a man called “Ernest”? Do you understand it?

Me neither.

When we humans pretend to plan things, it will all end up being a failure. The importance of be called Ernest will have its consequences. Being coherent is difficult because sometimes we will lie if we really want to achieve our goals. However, Wilde’s satirical hypocrisy (Jack Worthing pretending to be Ernest not Earnest) is not the role that one should play in their lives. So being earnest has its merit. “Nature […] immersed in its necessary work” (quote that comes to mind, if I remember well from a Sadaat Hasan Manto’s short sotry) will always work the same. I mean society is revolution and man is selfish by nature (Hobbes).

If I were Gwendolen I wouldn’t care. I would appreciate the fact that HE has tried to pretend being Ernest because of me. Real love only happens once. When a soul feels real love it is because there are no worries, no more things to worry about. It doesn’t matter what the other soul does because you know that he will be yours inside freedom.

“I hope you have not been leading a double life, pretending to be wicked, and being really good all the time. That would be hypocrisy” Oscar Wilde, The Importance of being Earnest.

REAL LOVE in days to come.