| dc.description.abstract | The Critique of Victorian Morality Implied in Oscar Wilde’s The Importance
Of Being Earnest; Ahmad Naufal, 070110191002; 2013: 46 pages; English
Department, Faculty of Letters, Jember University.
The Importance of Being Earnest is a well known drama written by Oscar
Wilde. He shows the problems of society especially in Victorian era. He paints a
picture of the upper class’ hypocrisy that behaves in particular manner
characterized by its decadence. Therefore, this research is conducted to analyze
the critique of Oscar Wilde toward Victorian morality.
Nietzsche’s theory is used to find the concept of morality and the decadence
of Victorian morality. He divides into two terms; slave morality and master
morality. Meanwhile, Victorian era is covered by slave morality, Wilde through
this drama offers a new perspective marked by master morality. To strengthen this
analysis, John Huizinga’s society of play is applied to determine the aspect of the
concept of play in Wilde’s drama. The society of play developed by Huizinga
suggests that society must practice fairness instead of dishonesty. His theory is
beneficial to give a counter toward Victorian morality. It is also applied to
understand sociologically Victorian era since he writes the condition of this era in
his masterpiece.
From this research, it is finally found that Wilde has criticized Victorian
morality that loses its sense of humor through his social comedy work. Through
The Importance of Being Earnest, Wilde seems to suggest that triviality should
sometimes replace seriousness. He conceives definitively that seriousness is
another form of hypocrisy to cover one’s weakness. It does not mean that
seriousness is a mistake, but the seriousness used as the mask is no longer
seriousness and it is very ironic. Wilde in this drama reminds his readers at that
time that Victorian people lose their spirit of play signed by honesty. This spirit is
replaced by hypocrisy covered with seriousness. | en_US |
