Wilde LRJ# 2

Chue Meng Vang
Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB
May 5, 2009
Women and Problems
The problems in "The Importance of Being Earnest" strike me as unusual. The disappearance of the sandwiches I don't see as a problem at all, besides the fact that Algeron lied to his aunt about there being no sandwiches because the market ran out of cucumbers. "I am greatly distressed, Aunt Augusta, about there being no cucumbers, not even for ready money. "(Wilde, 126) In reality Algeron ate up all the sandwiches. The dual identities are a huge problem because of the fact that Algeron and Jack are in love and that could get them into trouble.
Gwendolen and Lady Bracknell fit into the role of an 1890's women because they are intelligent, proper, and witty. They both speak very properly and have manners like bowing. "Oh! I hope I am not that. It would leave no room for improvments, and I intend to develop in many directions."(p.125, Wilde) Gwendolen says this in reply to Jack saying she is perfect, this was a very clever remark. On page 129 Gwendolen says "metaphysical speculation" which is a pretty big and advanced statement, makes her sound very intelligent and well educated. Lady Bracknell is a perfect character from the 1890's due to the fact that she watches over her daughter's love affairs. She has requirements for men for her daughter and look for social standing in a man. She starts to interveiw Jack about it on page 131.