The Importance of Being Earnest PDF is a play written by Oscar Wilde and first performed in 1895. It is a comedic play that satirizes the societal norms and conventions of the late Victorian era. The themes of the play include the superficiality of upper-class society, the superficiality of love, and the hypocrisy of societal expectations.
It has been published by many publishers over the years, but the most well-known is Penguin Classics. It’s available in various formats like hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook. The play has received positive reviews and is considered one of Wilde’s most popular and enduring works.
It is widely considered one of the greatest plays in the English language. It is known for its witty dialogue, clever wordplay, and its use of satire to criticize the societal norms and conventions of the late Victorian era.
Table of Contents
The Importance of Being Earnest Summary
The play starts with Algernon visiting Jack’s country home, where he meets Jack’s ward, Cecily, who is a young woman. Algernon is immediately taken with her and decides to pretend to be Jack’s brother, Ernest, in order to win her affection.
Meanwhile, in the city, Jack has fallen in love with Gwendolen, who is cousin of Algernon. Jack tells Gwendolen that his name is Ernest, and she is thrilled because she is in love with a man named Ernest.
As the story progresses, things become more complicated as the truth about their secret identities is revealed. Jack’s guardian, Lady Bracknell, is extremely concerned about Jack’s background and refuses to allow him to marry Gwendolen until she has thoroughly investigated his past. In the end, it’s revealed that Jack is the long-lost heir of an aristocratic family and is actually named Ernest after all. This revelation allows Jack and Gwendolen to get married, and also Algernon and Cecily.
Details of The Importance of Being Earnest Book
| Book | The Importance of Being Earnest |
| Author | Oscar Wilde |
| Original language | English |
| Originally published | February 14, 1895 |
| Category | Comedy |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster |
| Total Pages | 90 |
| Format | PDF, ePub |
Multiple Languages Editions of The Importance of Being Earnest Book
“The Importance of Being Earnest” is a play written by Oscar Wilde and it’s originally written in English. It has been translated into many languages, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, and many more.
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About the Author
Oscar Wilde was an Irish playwright, novelist, and poet. He was born on October 16, 1854, in Dublin, Ireland, and died on November 30, 1900, in Paris, France. He was one of the most popular playwrights in London during the late Victorian era.
Wilde was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and Magdalen College, Oxford, where he earned a degree in classics. After graduation, he moved to London and began a career in writing. He wrote several novels, including “The Picture of Dorian Gray” (1890) and “The Importance of Being Earnest” (1895), as well as several other plays and poems. He was known for his wit, his flamboyant personality, and his criticism of societal norms.
In 1895, Wilde was put on trial for homosexuality, which was then illegal in Britain. He was found guilty and sentenced to two years of hard labor. He was released from prison in 1897 and went into exile in France, where he wrote his last work, “The Ballad of Reading Gaol” (1898).
Wilde’s work is known for its wit, clever wordplay, and its use of satire to criticize the societal norms and conventions of the late Victorian era. He is considered one of the greatest playwrights in the English language and his legacy continues to be celebrated today.
The Importance of Being Earnest PDF Free Download
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Similar Books to The Importance of Being Earnest Book
- An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde
- The School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan
- A Woman of No Importance by Oscar Wilde
- The Way of the World by William Congreve
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- The Rivals by Richard Brinsley Sheridan
- Lady Windermere’s Fan by Oscar Wilde
- Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw
FAQs(Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the book The Importance of Being Earnest about?
The book The Importance of Being Earnest is a play about two friends, Algernon Moncrieff and John “Jack” Worthing, who have secret identities and pretend to be named Ernest in order to escape their responsibilities and have a good time.
Is The Importance of Being Earnest hard to read?
The Importance of Being Earnest is not considered hard to read as it is written in a witty and clever manner, with clever wordplay, and satirical elements that make it an enjoyable read.
What is the meaning of The Importance of Being Earnest?
The meaning of The Importance of Being Earnest is that the play is a commentary on societal norms, conventions and the superficiality of upper-class society, and the hypocrisy of societal expectations.
What is Wilde message in The Importance of Being Earnest?
Oscar Wilde’s message in The Importance of Being Earnest is that societal norms and conventions should be questioned and that individuals should be true to themselves.
What genre is The Importance of Being Earnest?
The Importance of Being Earnest is a comedy of manners, a genre of play that satirizes the societal norms and conventions of the upper class.
