The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde Algernon...

It is a well known phenomenon that many authors lives are reflected through a character in their work. In Oscar Wildes The Importance of Being Earnest, the double life, or double identity, can be seen as the central metaphor in the play, epitomized in Algernons creation of Bunbury or Bunburying. As this term is the only fictitious word employed throughout the text, it is crucial to critically analyze not only its use and implications, but more importantly, the character who coins the term; Algernon Moncrieff. In addition, it is also significant to note the marked differences between Algernon and Jacks perceptions of the notion of bunburying, as it further develops Algernons character within the text. But perhaps the single most†¦show more content†¦It is as though Wilde, through the vehicle of Algernon, is trying to make a point about the difference in severity between the two cases of dual identity. Algernon never once tries to deceive others into thinking he is Bunburry, w hereas Jack literally embodies a different persona depending on his location. Jack does not admit to being a Bunburyist, even after he is exposed as such, while Algernon not only admits his wrongdoings but also takes pleasure in it. Algernons enjoyment stems from his own cleverness and ingenuity with his philosophy on life being blatantly apparent in his statement, one must be serious about something, if one wants to have any amusement in life. I happen to be serious about Bunburying... (Wilde, 40) Still, Jack takes the idea of Bunburrying too far, and even though Algernon states to him, I naturally want to talk to you about Bunburrying. I want to tell you the rules, Jack has no interest in hearing about these rules and thus acts as a prime example of the consequences of the general hypocrisy of the Victorian mindset which Wilde seems to comment on in this case. The character of Algernon is clearly complex in nature, if one can get past all of the apparent superficialities. Despite this, Algernons significance most notably lays in the fact that his idea of bunburying can be seen as a deeper metaphor for Wildes own double