Marriage is simply a business transaction, a way to improve one’s wealth and station. Bracknell’s daughter could not be seen forming an alliance with a handbag. Through this Wilde is demonstrating the ridiculous nature of Victorian morality, and how concerned it is with a perfect societal image. Money is great, but if you look like a fool in society then you’re ruined. It’s also key element of the play that demonstrates the absurdity of her class, but it is second only to the importance of appearance. It is one of the key things on her ideal husband list for Gwendolyn.

It means there could be more money for the rich. Later, she becomes suddenly interested in Cecily after learning of her inheritance. It’s one of the only reasons she actually listens to Jack’s request to marry her daughter. The train line doesn’t matter, but his bloodline does.īracknell loves money. The best thing about it is that the characters are completely unaware of their own absurd hypocrisy. When Jack explains the details of the train line he was left at, she ironically exclaims: “The line is immaterial.” And that such a marriage would remind her of: “the worst excesses of the French revolution.” The dialogue is utterly genius. Jack undergoes a great deal of social mobility prior to the events of the play however, Bracknell, who represents the rigidness of British aristocracy, is very alarmed that such a man could marry her daughter.

This is just absurd, outrageous and straight to the point. What a penetrating critique of high Victorian society this becomes but rather than being a dull argument or essay, it takes on the body of a hilarious play.

Wilde the importance of being earnest