Question: Discuss the role of Jack Worthing in “The Importance of Being Earnest”.
Introduction
John “Jack” Worthing can be considered the hero of the farcical drama “The Importance Being of Earnest” by Oscar Wilde (1854-1900). His background provides the play with its mystery and plot conflicts, which start and end with his name.
The role of Jack The Importance of Being Earnest
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Producing humorous contradictions
Jack leads a double life. He goes by the name of Ernest when he is in town and by Jack when he is in the country. Although he thinks he has invented Ernest, at the end of the play he learns that Ernest is really his name. Jack’s character reveals certain contradictions. Jack is, by his own account, habitually dishonest. He even apologizes for telling the truth. On the other hand, although his deception has allowed him the freedom to indulge in the behavior, he wants to court Gwendolen, whom he loves and wants to marry. Also, he takes his country’s responsibilities seriously, including his guardianship of Cecily. If his double life has been hypocritical, by the start of the play Jack seems ready to confront the situation and go beyond it.
The representative of ideas and attitudes
Jack Worthing, like the other main characters in Wilde’s play, is less a realistic character and more an instrument for representing a set of ideas or attitudes. Wilde uses him to represent an upper-class character easily recognized by his audience. Jack also gives Wilde an opportunity to explore attitudes about Victorian rituals such as courtship and marriage. As an alter ego of Wilde, Jack represents the idea of leading a life of respectability in the country and a life of deception for pleasure in the city. His name, Worthing, is related to worthiness, allowing Wilde to humorously consider the correct manners of Victorian society.
To focus on the Victorian marital system
Jack plays a vital role to focus on the traditional Victorian marital system. As a recognized upper-class Victorian, Jack has earned respectability only because of his adopted father’s fortune. It has put him in a position to know the rules of behavior of polite society. He has the ability to spout witty lines about trivial subjects. When Lady Bracknell questions his qualifications for marrying her daughter, he knows she wants to hear about his pedigree. He recognizes that he needs the correct parents along with his wealth.
In the dialogues about social attitudes and rituals
Jack plays a praiseworthy role in the dialogues about social attitudes and rituals, such as courtship and marriage. He often plays the straight man to counter Algernon’s humor, but occasionally, he gets the witty lines. Respectability is also a function of Jack’s character. Although he leads a deceptive life in town, he represents the ideal of leading a responsible life in the country. He agrees more with the idea of Victorian earnestness or duty than Algernon does.
Sense of enormous humor
However, because Jack deceives people in the city, he is still a symbol of Wilde’s deceptive life of pleasure in the homosexual community. Jack longs for the respectability of marrying Gwendolen and is willing to do whatever it takes. In the long run, he assumes his rightful place in the very society. Wilde is able to soften Jack’s respectability and position as a symbol of the ruling class by showing his enormous sense of humor. The funeral garb for his fake brother’s death and the story about the French maid both show that while Jack longs for respectability, he still has the wit and rebelliousness to recognize the ridiculous nature of trivial Victorian concerns.
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Conclusion
In termination, we can say that the entire drama revolves around, Jack. So, he is the soul of the play and represents a beautiful concept of the Victorian predicament of identity.
