The Importance of Being Earnest/Victorian Era Research

Doing research on the Victorian Era before beginning the play The Importance of Being Earnest truly gave me a much higher knowledge of the characters and their lifestyles. Social standings were extremenly importnat back in the 1800s. Higher class aristocrats like Algernon Moncrieff had the ability to be completely in command because they have money and good family backgrounds. If a person didn't have an refined family background, it would change the way they were viewed. Jack Worthing is an absolutly perfect example of this situatin. Jack is a higher class man; lots of money, sensible friends, and a beautiful mansion in the country. When he and his lover, Gwendolen, announce to Lady Bracknell that they are engaged to be married, she finds out the truth about Jack's true place on the social ladder. On page 27 Lady Bracknell voices her true opinion: "You can hardly imagine that I and Lord Bracknell would dream of allowing our only daughter - a girl brought up with the utmost care - to marry into a cloak room, and form an alliance with a parcel? Good Morning, Mr Worthing!"

Lady Bracknell, like most Victorians, had very high expectations. Marrige back then was a buisness - a way to get more money and pass off their daughters to someone else. Love was hardly ever the case of marrige, making Jack and Gwendolen's relationship odd. Algernon has the same views as Lady Bracknell when it comes to relationships. When Jack pays a suprise visit to Algernons manor, Jack says hes in town for pleasure. On page 9, when Algernon learns he plans on proposing to Gwendolen, he comments on the matter: "I thought you had some up for pleasure? ... I call that buisness." Jack, being a hopeless romantic, snaps back: "How utterly unromantic you are!" Romance was definately not related at all to marrige - which was perfectly normal. Women back then dreamed of marrying a rich, sophisticated man in with a high social class, which would help them advance on their own social lives. Jack's ward, Cecily Cardew, fulfills this dream when she meets Algernon Moncrieff. Cecily is a country girl - living a normally boring life. Watering flowers, writing in her diary, and her forced learning of German grammer is her lifestyle. Every. Day. When she meets Algernon, although there is conflict about his name, she immediately loves him. She creates the happily ever after that every Victorian gil dreamed of; marrying a rich and attractive aristocrat. By doing research on the Victorian Era before beginning The Importance of Being Earnest, I was able to gain a more thourouh knowledge of love, marrige, and the social class conflicts that separate the two.

Resolution

As the end of 2009 drew nearer, I began considering various things to change in the new year. The opportunity to make a New Years Resolution only comes around once a year, and I'm determined to stick to my plan throughout the entire year, something that I have never quite acomplished in the past. After much thought, I've decided that my resolution for 2010 is use my money more wisely. I am a huge spender, and if i see something I like, I just have to have it. If I don't buy it, it's all I can think about for the next couple of days. By using my money more wisely and saving, I will have a more stable future.

In addition to my spending self control, I'm also going to open up a bank account. Having wads of money stashed in my room isn't safe (especially around my family members) and isn't gaining any interest either. I have also printed out a plan using percentages. 20% of my income is for spending, 15% is going towards my car fund, 30% is for college, and 35% is saved for the future. By following this plan, I will be able to know where my money is going, and be able to work harder knowing it's going towards important things. Now, my babysitting money will be put to good use, instead of just sitting around. If I am able to stick to this plan, I know that my money will start adding up quickly, and I will have a more sure outlook in the future.