In many works of literature, a physical journey - the literal movement from one place to another - plays a central role. Choose a novel, play, or epic poem in which a physical journey is an important element and discuss how the journey adds to the meaning of the work as a whole. Avoid mere plot summary.
You MUST choose from the following list:
The Importance of Being Earnest
Many of the characters in Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest partake in physical journeys throughout the course of the play. Whether it be traveling to lie about a fake brother being ill, a fake friend being gravely ill, or the matter of giving condolences to a close friend who tragically quite exploded, the journeys taken in the novel represent the character, as well as the social customs in general. The movement of Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff are significant to the meaning of the work being to vastly ridicule the Victorian age upper-class customs and lifestyle.
Both characters live by the societal standards set by the bourgeoisie during that time period, but feel overwhelming restrained by the preposterous principles they are inclined to worship. Wishing to not become a social outcast, a status worse than criminal in that upper class, they travel to a different location to perform the act of "Bunburying", which can be defined as changing one's identity in order to live freely and recklessly. The fact that the characters who should be considered lucky to be a part of the vastly wealthy class feel chained down by the society that they need to change who they are in order to enjoy what life has to offer is a shot at how that society worked at the time.
Not only was the journey away from the social norm a chance to get away from the stuffiness and rules of the upper-class, it was also used in the evasion of social obligations that followed with high status. In Algernon's case, he used his "friend" Bunbury as an excuse to get out of an engagement with his mother for dinner. Whenever his mother planned to make a visit, he would tell her that his poor friend Bunbury was sick and that he had to go and visit him. Algernon wishes to avoid engagements with his mother, because Lady Bracknell represents the quintessential member of the bourgeoisie, taking everything at face value and living strongly on superficial concepts, mainly being the status in society. Wilde uses the physical journey of "Bunburying" to emphasize the point of even members of the upper-class wishing to escape from and not have to deal with the social customs and orders brought about during that time period, even if it means continuously lying to one's mother.
The movement of the characters in Wilde's play take on a significant meaning to the meaning of the work, being to ridicule the customs and standards set by the Victorian Age upper-class. Both Jack (Ernest) and Algernon (Ernest) go on physical journeys to escape from the customs of the society, whether it be to live in a reckless style or to avoid engagements with family members. The entire work has practically no plot, but rather is used to criticize the upper-class and the customs they held during the Victorian Period in Great Britain's history.
Not only was the journey away from the social norm a chance to get away from the stuffiness and rules of the upper-class, it was also used in the evasion of social obligations that followed with high status. In Algernon's case, he used his "friend" Bunbury as an excuse to get out of an engagement with his mother for dinner. Whenever his mother planned to make a visit, he would tell her that his poor friend Bunbury was sick and that he had to go and visit him. Algernon wishes to avoid engagements with his mother, because Lady Bracknell represents the quintessential member of the bourgeoisie, taking everything at face value and living strongly on superficial concepts, mainly being the status in society. Wilde uses the physical journey of "Bunburying" to emphasize the point of even members of the upper-class wishing to escape from and not have to deal with the social customs and orders brought about during that time period, even if it means continuously lying to one's mother.
The movement of the characters in Wilde's play take on a significant meaning to the meaning of the work, being to ridicule the customs and standards set by the Victorian Age upper-class. Both Jack (Ernest) and Algernon (Ernest) go on physical journeys to escape from the customs of the society, whether it be to live in a reckless style or to avoid engagements with family members. The entire work has practically no plot, but rather is used to criticize the upper-class and the customs they held during the Victorian Period in Great Britain's history.
And yes, I am aware.
It's almost as if he's my long-lost twin brother.
...born 143 years before me.
...poor Mother.
