Victorian Era

My new understanding of the Victorian era has really enhanced my thoughts about the novel. For example, one thing i learned was how women were treated. In The Importance of Being Ernest, the women are respected properly, but still there rights and education was lacking. They often married for movement in the social classes, or just for money too. For example, Gwendolen makes a comment to Jack about how she would be able to marry him even though she might marry often it wouldn't change her love for him. This is a perfect example of this situation of not marrying for love, but for money. Also, there are many stereotypes about women in this play. Miss Prism shows the woman who is determined to do the right thing for everyone, kind of like the mom of everyone. Cecily is shown as the girl who can fall in love to hard to fast, and is a bit less intelligent compared to Gwen. Shes the naive, care free girl who does what she wants to. Then Lady Bracknell is the typical snobby girl that gets in every ones business. She gossips a lot, and is rude.

Another thing I learned was about the social classes. During this era, the lower class was very poor compared to the upper class who often looked down on them. Between the classes, there was a huge difference in the way of life and living. From poverty to wealth. Gwendolen makes a comment in Act II to Cecily talking about how she didn't have to shovel because she was in the higher class. She said, she was glad she didn't know what one was. When Cecily on the other hand did and had to do dirty work. This indicates the disrespect and looking down upon to the lower class.