Importance Of Being Earnest Analysis Essay, Research Paper

Literary Analysis of The Importance of Being Earnest

“No man is an island.” This means that no man is alone. Of all of the men on the planet, they all have somebody. It may not be obvious to them, but they are not alone. This relates to “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde in a light tone. Jack has no idea who either of his parents are. Lady Bracknell tells Jack: “To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune. To lose both looks like carelessness.”(Act 1) When he finds out that the handbag he was in as an infant belongs to Miss Prism he embraces her and calls her “Mother”.

Jack has been lonely without the knowledge of his parents and when he gets a hint of what might be a reality, he lights up like a Christmas tree without acknowledging that it might turn out to be false.

This also holds true for Jack and Algernon. Algernon is alone and Jack asks for his help pretending to be his brother. Jack and Algernon both are helping each other during the time they are posing as brothers. They have each other’s company so that they aren’t alone.

Another good example of the saying, “No man is an island”, is the love between Jack’s younger wicked “brother”, Algernon and Cecily. It is not love at first sight, but rather she had fallen in love with him months prior to the day. Wilde has meant for us to interpret this as Algernon, even if everybody in his life leaves him, he will have Cecily’s love for him in both of his or her hearts. Even if Algernon never knew that Cecily is in love with him, Algernon will never be alone. With his feelings toward Cecily known as said by Algernon: “Cecily is the sweetest, dearest, prettiest girl in the whole world.”(Act 3)

The final few pages of the book also have a very important turn of events that portray that people aren’t alone at all in the world. Lady Bracknell tells Jack about who his parents are: “You are the son of my poor sister, Mrs. Moncrieff, and consequently Algernon’s older brother.”(Act 3)

Throughout the play, Jack and Algernon thought that they were less than brothers, just friends. But in the end it is known that they are in fact brothers and they were oblivious to the fact. This further explains that without even knowing the truth about one another, they will always be there for each other. Either as friends or as brothers.

Keeping with the last paragraph, Mrs. Moncrieff, Algernon and Jack’s mom, has been through a lot. Her not having both of her sons together while they were being brought up would be a horrible thing. But now that they are reunited as brother, they can be reunited as a family.

The very last couple of lines where all of the characters embrace each other in a loving moment is the very best example of “A man is not an island.” Everybody finally figures out that they are all there for something or somebody. The very last line in the play says it all: “I’ve now realized for the first time in my life the vital importance of being earnest.”