TLDR/OPinion: 6/10
Hosseini's harrowing microcosmic tale of the wider degeneration of his native country, Afghanistan, tells the story of its oppression and corruption at the hands of other nations and terrorists groups from the unique perspective of 2 children. The book travels through history and across countries, a tale of betrayal, heartbreak, inequality and redemption.
Book Reviews and Analysis
The Importance of Being Earnest (1895)
Author
Oscar Wilde
Score
8/10
Image by Rob Laughter
The Importance of Being Earnest (1895)
BLURB:
Set in Late Victorian society, a social milieu renowned for its conservatism and restriction, Wilde's comedy of manners appears to satirise the pomp and pretension of society, along with its dictums and etiquette manuals codifying and formalising every aspect of society.
It appears Wilde's objective is to criticise rather than reform his echelon's counterparts, sticking to his motto 'art for arts sake'; 'The Importance of being Earnest’ skirts around truly vulgar notions whilst exaggerating trivial ones perhaps as a means to mock society but ‘not to change it’. Wilde appears to use his art to hyperbolise societal institutions and totems such as norms of etiquette, education, hierarchy and the sacrament of religion in order to ridicule the contrivances of society.
Following the tale of enamoured protagonist Jack (also known as Ernest in the town), in his soppy pursuit of his beloved Gwendolyn, it delves into an apparent allegory for homosexuality and how the claustrophobia of society necessitates the creation of an alter ego, e.g. Bunbury or Ernest. Through the contrivance of the plot, the complex plot entanglement and the exaggerated portrayal of the odd idiosyncrasies of society, Wilde's hilarious melodrama gives an insight into the stigmas and intricate equilibrium within society as well as an interesting depiction of gender and familial dynamics, all the while producing fantastic comic material.
REVIEW: Overall, this bombardment of absurdity produced by Wilde definitely is successful in producing laughter, and, much to perhaps his denial, urges a semblance of introspection at the ridiculing of human folly. Also the aliases, Ernest and Bunbury, are interestingly used as a subterfuge to enable social emancipation.
THEMES:
Wildean Paradox
Farcical symmetry
Stylisation
Satire, Society & Class
Hedonism, Love & Marriage
Absurdity/Nonsense
Gender
Homosexuality