Society vs. Everything

     Typically,  actions speak louder in words- except in the satirical play, "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde."In matters of grave important, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing" (209) Cecily says regarding such a trivial matter of being lied to by her beau. Society itself does seem the silent main character all characters in the play are aware of, making it humorous and ridiculous to read.
     Act 3 begins with a struggle of actions and what they may symbolizes or look like. Gwendolen points out after their engagements were broken off, the men "did not follow us at once into the house" and even decides, "as anyone would have done" but then justifies their actions that could have been label as "cowardice" or perhaps "spineless" but instead thinks, "they have some shame left." Either this is a lot of hopeful wishing, or perhaps Gwendolen has a very positive outlook on life and everyone in it. Either way she still feels haunted by the way things are supposed to play out/be and must justify their actions that do not come off very loving, repent, or manly. Cecily continues the hopeful wishing and supports Gwendolens idea, maybe in humor, saying, "they have been eating muffins. That looks like repentance." In today's society, and possibly maybe then as well, any man calmly eating a sweet (typically a PMS-ing girl reaction) when he supposedly just lost the love of his life would be most likely label derogatory man names or even with names that take away his manhood.
    Lady Bracknell is the prime example of one in this play who wishes to play the game of society and walk away a winner, although in the processes she often seems to lose human sense and empathy in the case of Algernon confessing Bunburry's sudden death. Instead of comforting Algernon and offering her condolences of the sincerest- (whoops style over sincerity), well regardless she gregariously implores questioning, "When did Bunbury die? ...What did he die of?...Was he the victim of a revolutionary outrage?" Lady Bracknell loses herself in questions, most likely asking what she will have to later spread around high societies questions ladies. She herself names this looming deity and practically treats it as a god that may at anytime smite anyone who serves the wrong types of tea cakes as she says chastising Alergnon, "Never speak disrespectfully of Society."
    Although we think we act freely and independent, we can perhaps identify with parts of the play, and realize that even in our own life we react a certain socially acceptable way, because if we didn't we may be labeled "unfit for society."