Algernon's and John's conversation over dinner

Algernon and John are sitting on a large glass table, waiting for their meal.
Algernon: I hear the share prices are going up this year, is that any good to you? Afterall you are one for fine dining and money like that could come handy.
John: what are you trying to say?
Algernon: why do you always assume something else?
John: i know you well Algy, you ALWAYS mean something else


Enters Lane
Algernon: Lane, may i ask what is taking so long? i havent eaten since 5'oclock and i am rather peckish.
Lane: Yes sir, sorry sir it only requires time for heating up now
John: well in that case im going to have a cigarette


John brandishes a cigarette case from his pocket and lights it up. Lane leaves
John: do you want a cigarette? go on live a little
Algernon: certainly not! its a disgusting habit
John picks up his glass of wine and takes a swig.
John: say this wine tastes rather vintage, im impressed


Lane enters, wheeling in a large trolley
Lane hands over a silver plate to first Algernon then John.Algernon: I've been waiting for this since afternoon
John: yes we do know how you love your food (laughs)
Algernon: are you mocking me?
John: i had no such intention


John and Algernon finish their meal. John leaves the room and Lane is left cleaning up the table.
Lane: Sir, John has left his cigarette case here
Algernon: put it somewhere and i'll return it to him on his next visit. the forgetful fool!

short analysis on "the importance of being Earnest" - status exploration.

The title of the play "The importance of being Earnest" is polysemic and makes the reader wonder whether Earnest is a character in the play or whether the author is talking about being solemn. Oscar Wilde plays a pun on the words because in the title he refers to the character John who is leading a double life where he is also known as Earnest however John is far from being sincere and solemn.

Oscar Wilde uses different names to clearly differiate the social statuses between the characters within the cast list. At the top of the list we have John Worthing JP which is a abbreviation of justice and peace, this suggests an important place within society. Then secondly we have Algernon Moncrieff whose name sounds very foreign and important. However on the other hand we have Lane the manservant. He is not of an important background and we also come to see that in the first act where he responds to Algernon as "yes sir". This suggests that he is not on the same level as Algernon and therefore has to address him formally.

At the beginning of the dialogue and throughtout the play Oscar Wilde uses language to portray the different social statuses between the characters. From very early on in the play we can see how there is limited conversation between two characters of completely different backgrounds.Oscar wilde shows us their differnent statuses by the duration of how long they both talk for. Algernon seemed to be asking all the questions whereas Lane only spoke  when he was spoken to and even then he gave short answers. However there doesnt appear to be any tension between the boss and his servant, there was a relaxed atmosphere that seems to appear that they do get on despite their background differences. But when Lane starts talking about his marriage Algernon makes it perfectly clear that he is not interested in his personal life. He seems to hold up a barrier between them both, this could suggest that because Lane is of a low class, Algernon doesnt want to seem like he cares about trivial things like his servant's personal matters. By just reading the first few pages we can clearly see the social statuses of the characters and how they differ.

welcome fellow students (;

Basically spent the last hour trying to create a blog, fun fun fun -.- Technology doesnt like me. but erm welcome to me bloggggg hehe, have fun at reading endless esssayss (: