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
BY OSCAR WILDE
Tldr: 7.5/10
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​.
​
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.
blurb:
-
Wildean Paradox
-
Farcical symmetry
-
Stylisation
-
Satire, Society & Class
-
Hedonism, Love & Marriage
-
Absurdity/Nonsense
-
Gender
-
Homosexuality
Themes:
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.
Analysis:
SYMMETRY - Throughout, Wilde utilises farcical structural patterning – in quick succession the couples experience mimetic revelations, going so far as to almost mimic speech. As the play progresses it becomes increasingly mimetic, perhaps to show the stylised nature of society with its lack of natural or organic fluctuations and evolution – showing, through speech, how society is stagnant and repetitive/symmetrical in nature. Extreme lack of individuality or independent thought.
​
WILDEAN TECHNIQUE - Throughout there appears to be recitations of epigrammatic paradox as though they were regurgitating rules of etiquette from on of the numerous etiquette books in the era (further making it relatable to contemporary audiences)
​​
CYNICISM - Marriage is an obstacle to freedom – fun to debunk antiquated totems of society, allowing for criticism of them. Initially the opening note of the play strikes a cynical tone – built up by Algernon and Jack that marriage curtails pleasure.
​​
COMIC RESOLUTION - Towards the end, the male protagonists seem to be superficially reformed and the situation resolved. However, the female characters are silenced, Algernon looks to be mercenarily focused and the ominous lack of a Bunbury as an outlet and the male dependency on him leaves the audience anticipating a unpleasant/discontented marriage.
​
JACK AND ALGY - Between the two it is clear to see the prototypical men of the era are represented, the dandy and the gentleman. Between the two is a definitive combative relationship despite the charming and affectionate way they refer to each other showing a reluctant sibling-like relationship, also ironic due to the authenticity behind their dynamic.
LANGUAGE - Bawdy and vulgar language is often prevalent in comedic literature as a means of highlighting light or juvenile humour or perhaps as comic relief when comedy teeters upon the darker edges and prevents it from slipping into tragedy. The opposite seems to be true for Wildean comedy of manners. ‘The Importance of being earnest’, where Wilde exploits the pretentiousness of the upper classes particularly in their trivialising ordinarily paramount social institutions, uses of words far from colloquial such as ‘nonsense’ and ‘absurd’ to undermine societal frippery.
​
INCONGRUITY - Wilde derives laughter from his carefully constructed bouts of witty badinage, most of which invert gender or hierarchal conventions to further excite laughter at the incongruity of such an interchange e.g. the relationship between Lane and Algy, Algy and Cecily or Gwen and Jack.
RELIGION - Wilde repeatedly satirises venerated sacraments of religion, particularly marriage, the construct with financial, social, religious and sentimental implications is utterly disparaged; a complete incongruity in an era where the transaction of marriage was paramount. Wilde not only flippantly disregards the societal importance of the concepts of religious acts and marriage but also diminishes it to a perfunctory action.
​