The Importance of Being Earnest

1. The Importance of Being Earnest A look at Victorian ideals.

2. Oscar Wilde • Born October 16, 1854 in Dublin • Educated at Trinity College and Oxford • Famous for flamboyant dress, contempt of conventional values and belief in aestheticism • Married Constance Lloyd in 1884 • Did not hide his homosexuality

3. Aestheticism • Embraced the idea of art for the sake of beauty and beauty alone. • Characterised by the attitude of making "art for art's sake”. • Belongs to the anti-Victorian reaction and had post-Romantic roots. • Took place in the late Victorian period from around 1868 to 1901, and is generally considered to have ended with the trial of Oscar Wilde.

4. Wilde’s Downfall • The end began when Wilde met Lord Alfred Douglas (Bosie) • Had a homosexual affair from 1891 – his death in 1900. • Was put on trial for homosexual acts. Being gay was not a crime, the sexual act itself was. • Trial brought by Bosie’s homophobic father (Queensberry).

5. The Court Case • Bosie (protected by his powerful family) was never charged. • Only names mentioned were those of working class. Names of upper class were written if necessary but never revealed. • Case allegedly was partly to redirected attention away from Queensberry’s older brother who was having an affair with Philip Primrose who would later become Prime Minister. • Government punished Wilde to appease Queensberry.

6. The Punishment • Wilde sentenced to two years imprisonment in Pentonville Prison. • Spent 23 hours a day in a poorly ventilated cell and 1 hour exercising. Had very little human contact. • Allowed no photos, could only read The Bible and prayer books. • Food was unspeakable, bed was wooden boards.

7. The Rest of His Punishment • Left this prison 30 lbs lighter and in poor health. • Transferred to Wandsworth Prison. • Released in May 19, 1897. Was in falirly good health. • Immediately went to France and never returned to England.

8. The Final Years • Did not write again. • Drank heavily and begged money from friends. • Lived the rest of his life with Bosie. • Died on Nov 30th, 1900 at age 46. Believed that he died of meningoencephalitis complicated by chronic middle ear infection. • Left behind two sons: Vyvyan and Cyril.

9. The Victorian Era • Queen Victoria had the longest reign in British history. • Cultural, political, economic, industrial and scientific changes that occurred during her reign were remarkable. • When Victoria ascended to the throne, England was essentially agrarian and rural; upon her death, the country was highly industrialized and connected by an expansive railway network.

10. Queen Victoria • Born 1819 • Became queen at 18 • Reigned from 1837-1901 • Husband’s name was Albert. He died in 1861 and she mourned him for the rest of her life.

11. Victorian Prudery • It was improper to say "leg" in mixed company; instead, the preferred euphemism “limb” was used. • Verbal or written communication of emotion or sexual feelings was not acceptable so people instead used the language of flowers or food. • Alleged that tableclothes and bedskirts were created to cover “legs” of tables and beds. • More likely they were created to cover the shabbiness of the furniture.

12. Repression • Characterised by sexual repression. • Men's clothing is formal and stiff, women's is fussy and over-done. • Ankles are scandalous