Witty playwright Oscar Wilde is most famous for his 1895 play "The Importance of Being Earnest." The two protagonists use a false identity; Earnest; as a way to escape from unwanted social obligations. However; they encounter difficulties keeping up their personas as their social circles draw closer together. Wilde drew upon what he thought were outrageous social conventions of the Victorian Era and used satire to show the absurdity of its beliefs; like how marriage was more of a boring burden than a joyous commitment. "The Importance of Being Earnest" is one of the best known plays of the Victorian Era and has endured many revivals over the past one-hundred years. It is also a prime example of many Victorian gaffes; though they have to be viewed through the lens of Wildes sardonic humor. Gathered in the collection "The Importance of Being Earnest and Five Other Plays" are "Lady Windermeres Fan;" "A Woman of No Importance;" and "An Ideal Husband"; all of which speak to Wildes satirical tone and attitude toward the Victorian Era. Also included are the fragmentary play; "A Florentine Tragedy" and "Salome;" a retelling of the Biblical story where Salome asks for John the Baptists head on a platter. Its tone is much darker and tragic than most of Wildes other works; but its ability to portray such a gruesome event in a respectful way only proves that Oscar Wilde is one of the most important writers of the nineteenth century.
#362983 in eBooks 2013-01-01 2012-01-01File Name: B00CF3XIOU
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Gift for a film loverBy MenaI got this for my boyfriend. Hes really hard to buy gifts for; and it was a total surprise. He would never think to get himself this book; but has been enjoying it since. His words were "its like making sense to why Tarantino is successful and why his style is the way it is"5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Got it to give as a giftBy LSNelsonI got this for my son for Christmas. He got some other books; graphic novels; etc. but he is reading this before all the others. I find him reading it all the time. He loves it!Its nice that it goes through most of current interviews. There are a few things missing; but its the latest possible book.1 of 4 people found the following review helpful. What do they call a Big Mac in Paris?By Aaron Cabrero JrAmazing book! A must read for every fan of the great filmmaker quentin tarantino!