Part Two of The Importance of Being Ernest Theme
Algernon believes marriage is a non-serious thing, a stupidity. He says: "It is very romantic to be in love. But there is nothing romantic about a definite proposal". So he stops Jack from marriage. However, Jack and Gwendolen are serious about marriage though Jack for beauty and the latter for the name "Ernest". But it is perceived that marriage is not taken as a happy union. Earlier in the play, Lane's remarks are self-explanatory that "In married households the champagne is rarely of a first rate brand".
The play is a criticism on the deteriorating state of affairs of the aristocracy. The play-wright focuses on the fact that they are lost in matters which have no relevance with the issues current in the society. And there are people like Algernon who believe that "If people of lower orders don't set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them?" This is really ironic and funny because the high ups are believed to be the models and followed by society in general. This is really ironic and satiric that the poor "seem, as a class, to have absolutely no sense of moral responsibility". The very first question arises as to the moral sense of responsibility of the speaker himself. He is himself leading a dual faced life. He has been lying. He even appears as "Ernest" before Cecily, Jack's ward. The cleverness seems to have engulfed all "Everybody is clever nowadays...I wish to goodness we had a few fools left".
It is the social dilemma of man that he is always concerned for appearances than reality. It is probably for the reason that society is very didactic of any flaws which it deems immoral. Since, no ordinary man may claim innocence, hence is concerned about one's repute. Lady Bracknell declares it impossible to marry her daughter to Jack who has no whereabouts; because it would hurt her social position and status. She asks him to "produce either parent" while the season is on. Similarly, Jack lies to the people in the country that he has a brother of low moral character in town where he must go and look after the troubles he creates. He does to relieve himself in town. He wants to save his repute by "serving" the country people and "amusing" in town. Matching tactics are found with Algernon to keep up the appearances. He has been lying to his aunt and family friends.
There are several issues pertaining to Victorian society which include education, social and political change, religious beliefs and the economic problems. All the problems of society are ultimately linked to education and its ability to bear truths. It is generally believed if a society is truly and genuinely educated; it cannot be curtailed from getting its rights. Lady Bracknell says: "Education produces no effect whatsoever. If it did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of violence...". We are forced to agree with these words. Morality has lost its value. None of the characters appears to be behaving in the strict sense of the term. And as per Lady Bracknell even old age "is no guarantee of respectability of character". Whereas Jack is of the opinion that "the truth isn't quite the sort of thing one tells to a nice, sweet, refined girl".
