The Importance of Being Earnest

The research we did on the Victorian era enhanced my understanding of the play because it made me understand the differences of the culture. One thing I learned was just how badly women were treated back then. Gwendolyn is always being scolded by Lady Bracknell about how she can't make a choice on who she marries. Lady Bracknell said that Algernon could decide for himself, who he is to marry, but never even considers letting Gwendolyn choose who she wants to marry.

Another thing I learned was just how conceited and selfish the upper class really is. When learning about the Victorian theater I found out the upper class expected the lower class to separate themselves from the upper class by a balcony. there even were separate entrances so the rich would never have to come in contact with the poor. This is shown in the play by Lady Bracknell. She isn't interested in Miss Cardew until she finds out Cecily has "a hundred thirty thousand pounds in the funds".

The upper class also cares a lot about society and who your family is. When Lady Bracknell learns that Jack has no family relations he knows of, she doesn't let him marry Gwendolyn. The Victorian Research enhanced my under standing of this because it says that the people liked their social classes clearly defined. Also, the Victorian age was all about who has the most money. If someone doesn't have any rich parents who will or have left them a large fortune then they are looked down on and refused.