Marriage as a Theme in The Importance of Being Earnest

Introduction: Defining Marriage

Marriage is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as a formal or legally recognized union of two individuals — usually male and female, though some jurisdictions permit same-sex marriages — in a relationship. The implication that the two individuals are in a relationship or partnership suggests that the union has been formed willingly and that both parties are content. It also reflects shared values surrounding marital relationships. Notably, the definition focuses on the two persons getting married and does not mention any external party. The question that arises, therefore, is: Is it right or even possible for two individuals to decide by themselves that they should marry?

According to Cosmopolitan magazine, there are several reasons to get married, including that married couples are more likely to act as a team, support each other in difficult times, and feel more grounded in their relationship. The magazine also states that marriage gives a relationship greater substance.

The reasons highlighted above paint quite a romantic picture of what marriage offers — a picture that stands in stark contrast to the one presented in Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, wherein the institution of marriage is portrayed as a highly undesirable union. In the play, Wilde challenges the commonly held view that marriage is pleasurable by bringing to light its less appealing side and projecting it as a limiting, restrictive social duty.

Marriage as an Undesirable Institution

In the play, Algernon is the most critical voice when it comes to marriage. When Jack tells him that he is in love with Gwendolen and has come to town for the sole purpose of proposing to her, Algernon responds by saying that he thought Jack had come for pleasure — and that what Jack described sounded more like business. In other words, Algernon argues that the institution of marriage resembles a business transaction rather than a romantic pursuit.

Algernon goes on to say that he sees nothing romantic in proposing. He argues that being in love is very romantic, but that a definite proposal destroys that romanticism; once one accepts a proposal, all the romantic excitement is over. His further remarks continue to portray marriage as a social duty that holds little appeal for him. He states that the core of romance lies in its uncertainty, meaning that marriage, by its very nature, extinguishes romance. Algernon also opines that the only proper way for a man to behave toward a woman is to make love to her if she is pretty, and toward another girl if she happens to be plain — suggesting that he views the institution of marriage as a dampener of romance rather than its fulfillment.

In a bid to show his friend how to make the best of marriage should he ever find himself in that situation, Algernon introduces the concept of his imaginary friend, whom he calls Bunbury. He explains that this fictional invalid allows him to escape to the country whenever he chooses. He jokes that he has just received a telegram informing him that Bunbury is very ill. He declares that nothing will ever induce him to give up Bunbury, and advises Jack that any man who marries without having a "Bunbury" somewhere will have a very difficult time of it — adding, with ironic wit, that in marriage "three is company and two is none." Here, Algernon's practice of "Bunburying" serves as a comic strategy for escaping the obligations that marriage imposes.

Algernon also offers the opinion that divorces are made in Heaven — implying that, just like Bunbury, divorce was invented to free men from undesirable marital unions.

Marriage as a Romantic Institution

Gwendolen, the woman Jack wishes to propose to, holds very romantic notions about marriage. Speaking to Jack, she states — perhaps to imply destiny — that her ideal has always been to love a man named Ernest, that there is something in the name that inspires absolute confidence, and that the moment Algernon mentioned he had a friend called Ernest, she knew she was destined to love him. She adds that Ernest has wonderful eyes and hopes he will always look at her in that way.

In short, the conversation reveals that Gwendolen is entirely fixated on the notion of marrying a man named Ernest. This superficiality also demonstrates the shallowness of Victorian-era values with regard to marriage — where the name of a suitor could carry more weight than his character.

Conclusion

Thus, we have to ask ourselves: can two individuals from different backgrounds get happily married? Can two individuals make a decision by themselves to enter into a marriage union? Or is love alone sufficient reason to marry? From the play, it is clear that external factors inevitably influence the decision to wed. The advice of others — particularly parents or authority figures — can shape a marriage decision and often becomes the greatest source of conflict. Wilde's comedy, beneath its witty surface, raises enduring questions about whether personal choice can ever truly be free from social constraint.