THE CRITIQUE OF VICTORIAN MORALITY IMPLIED IN OSCAR WILDE’S THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

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.