The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde :: essays research papers

Oscar Wilde, the author of The Importance of Being Earnest, was most definitely a peculiar character. This is present in his writings, particularly in the aforementioned work. The Importance of Being Earnest uses unusual situations and striking puns to produce a humor that would be enjoyed by nearly exclusively peoples. The Importance of Being Earnest was nearly a Victorian example of an episode of Seinfeld. The characters contained within often find themselves in the most peculiar of situations, so strange that we can find them humorous. They even, at times, seem to represent situations in which we may find ourselves involved. One such example is in Act One, where hoot realizes that Gwendolyn loves the name Ernest. He tries through several ways to talk to her and find out if she could love him if his name was darn. She considers the entire question to be hypothetical and unimportant, since shes perpetually known him to be Ernest. The entire dialogue that occurs during the discus sion has humorous pieces that add to the excuseful nature of the play. One piece of the dialogue is spoken by Jack, where he says, Gwendolyn, I must get christened at once&8212I mean, we must get married at once. Wilde shows how society would tend to care about what was on the outside of a person, such as their name or wealth, rather than their character.Another such example of this situation is when Algernon is speaking to Cecily in regards to their engagement. Cecily knows Algernon to be Jacks brother, Ernest, and is in love with the name the same as Gwendolyn. Algernon tries to inquire, in a similar manner whether Cecily could love him if he bore another name, such as Algernon. Cecily responds in a similar manner. Wilde found one piece to be humorous, and as a result included it into the first Act. He then decided to replicate a similar situation in the second Act of the play.Another example of Wildes use of humor is in his witty remarks and epigrams. By using these devices, it adds color to a character, and helps to balance them well against others instead of creating a flat appearance. The most prominent character that demonstrates these attributes is Algernon, whose timing throughout the story is impeccable. In Act One, after Jack has finished speaking to Lady Bracknell about marrying Gwendolyn, Lady Bracknell exits the room.

Metaphysics, Epistemology and George Orwells Nineteen Eighty-Four (198

Metaphysics, Epistemology and Orwells 1984 Since the beginning of recorded time, philosophers have pondered questions of metaphysics (what exists, what is real) and epistemology (how we know what exists and is real, our proof). However in George Orwells 1984, the need to answer these questions no longer exists for the majority, as the ruling party has created a new reality for its citizens, one in which what is real and what truly exists cannot be questioned. But on the jactitate side, the protagonist of 1984, Winston Smith, finds himself constantly searching for what is real in his life, and in a larger sense, in the society and world that surrounds him. In its simplest terms, metaphysics can be seen as a question of what it is that we know to be real, what truly exists. In a deeper sense, as defined by Aristotle, metaphysics attempts to understand the fundamental nature of all reality. nigh related to metaphysics is epistemology. Epistemology looks to define what know ledge is, how it is obtained, and what it is that makes anything knowledge at all. It serves to establish proof, a warrant for what we consider to be real, thus validating our knowledge of our own reality. at heart 1984, Orwell, or rather The Party has created swelled Brother, a larger-than-life character known to all citizens, uniting and influencing all of Oceania. To the citizens of Oceania, there is no question that Big Brother does not exist. To them Big Brother is real, he exists in the flesh just as the rest of the citizens of the nation. Almost no one entertains the proposition that he is merely a character, created to enforce party agendas and goals. His face appears in movies, on posters he is virtually everywhere. Citizens atomic number 18 ... ...are being told. They will never know if what they are being told is the truth and will never distinguish between what is actually true and what is just mindless babble and propaganda. Works CitedAnderson, Alan. Metaphysi cs Multiple Meanings. April 14, 2000. May 31, 2000. Floyd, Nathan T. ornateness & Epistemology. November 29, 1995. May 31, 2000. Khoury, Jonathan A. 1984 in 1996 How Orwells 1949 Classic Describes our Government. May 31, 2000.Orwell, George. 1984. New York Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc., 1949.Hyperlinkshttp//websyte.com/alan/metamul.htm metaphysicshttp//www.lcc.gatech.edu/gallery/rhetoric/terms/epistemology.html epistemologyhttp//members.aol.com/jonkhoury/1984.htm 1984