The Importance of Being Earnest
Oscar Wilde · 1895
Two young men invent fictional alter egos to escape social obligations, and everything spirals into absurdity. Wilde called it a trivial comedy for serious people, and that's exactly right. Every line is polished to a lethal sheen. It premiered weeks before his arrest, which makes it read like the last party before the fall.
The case against
Every character speaks in the identical voice, Wilde's own, so the play is one wit performing every role. The plot resolves on a baby mislaid in a handbag, contrivance even farce should blush at. Nothing is at stake and nothing is felt; whether that is the joke or the limit depends on the night.
Drama · the Pro canon
The case for it and the rest of the canon open with Pro.
if this one calls to you, so will these →
