Marriage in the Victorian Era
The Victorian era was a period also known as the era of Romanticism. Courtship in these times was considered a tradition and very popular when getting to know a person although many marriages in this era of time were not established on love. The play “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde, was set in the late nineteenth century Victorian era. In the play Wilde makes a mockery of social statues and marriage compatibilities by portraying marriage to be more of a businesslike deal.
Generally, in the Victorian era marriage could be described as a business deal made between two families, somewhat like an arranged marriage. In act one of the play Jack states he has come to town to propose to Gwendolen. Jack
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Girls don’t think that right.” (wilde act 1)
In the Victorian era women were always well dressed and were taught at a young age social etiquette.
In act 2 we see Lady Bracknell, Gwendolen’s mother, brings a whole new prospective of marriage to the table. Wilde portrayed Lady Bracknell as a snobby and dominating character. In the play when Jack and Gwendolen announce their engagement to her mother Wilde shows Lady Bracknell’s feeling towards marriage as being that of the same believes lived back in the Victorian era by stating;
“Pardon me, you are not engaged to anyone. When you do become engaged to someone, I, or your father, should his health permit him, will inform you of the fact.” (wilde act 2)
Lady Bracknell was old fashion, she believed marriage was to be and arrangement made by one’s parents. Her way of finding a spouse for her daughter depended on wealth, reputation and high social status. During the Victorian era, according to J. Ziegenfuss, “ The husband-to-be had to prove that he could support his new wife in the lifestyle she was accustomed to.” (Ziegenfuss ) Wilde shows Lady Bracknell as being skeptical of Jack being able to provide for her daughter when she learns that he was found in a handbag with no family to account for at that