The Analysis Of Conflicts In Oscar Wilde’s Play“The Importance Of Being Earnest”

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THE ANALYSIS OF CONFLICTS IN OSCAR WILDE’S

PLAY

“THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST”

A PAPER

PUTRI RIZKI ANNISA DALIMUNTHE REG. NO: 112202073

DIPLOMA

–

III ENGLISH STUDY PROGRAM

FACULTY OF CULTURE STUDIES

UNIVERSITY OF SUMATERA UTARA

MEDAN

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It has been approved by Supervisor,

Drs. ParlindunganPurba, M.Hum. NIP. 19630216198903 1 003

Submitted to Faculty of Culture Studies, University of North Sumatera In partial fulfillment of the requirements for DIPLOMA (D-III) in English

Approved by

Head of Diploma III English Study Program,

Dr. Matius C.A. Sembiring, M.A. NIP. 19521126198112 1 001

Approved by the Diploma III English Study Program Faculty of Culture Studies, University of North Sumatera

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Accepted by the Board of Examiners in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the D-III Examination of the Diploma-III Examination of the Diploma III English Study Program, Faculty of Culture Studies, University of North Sumatera.

The examination is held on

Faculty of Culture Studies, University of North Sumatera

Dean,

Dr. SyahronLubis, M. A. NIP. 19511013197603 1 001

Board of Examiners/Readers

No. Name Signature 1. Dr. Matius C.A. Sembiring, M.A. (Head of ESP) ( ……….. )

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3. Mahmud AriefAlbar, S.S., M.A. (Reader) ( ……….. )

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AUTHOR’S DECLARATION

I am PUTRI RIZKI ANNISA DALIMUNTHE, declare that I am the sole of author of this paper. Except where reference is made in the text of this paper, this paper contains no material published elsewhere of extracted in whole or in part from a paper by which I have qualified for or awarded another degree.

No other person‟s work has been used without due acknowledgement in the main text of this paper. This paper has not been submitted for the award of another degree in any tertiary education.

Signed :

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COPYRIGHT DECLARATION

Name : PUTRI RIZKI ANNISA DALIMUNTHE

Title of Paper : THE ANALYSIS OF CONFLICTS IN OSCAR WILDE‟S

PLAY“THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST”

Qualification : D-III/Ahli Madya Study Program : English

I am willing that my paper should be available for reproduction at the discretion of the Libertarian of the Diploma III English Study Program Faculty of Culture Studies USU on the understanding that users are made aware of their obligation under law of the Republic of Indonesia.

I am not willing that my papers be made available for reproduction.

Signed :

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ABSTRAK

Dalam tulisan ini penulis menggunakan sebuah drama oleh Oscar Wilde, seorang pria kontroversial surat Inggris. Makalah ini berfokus pada konflik karakter utama di drama dari Oscar Wilde yang berjudul“The Importance of Being Earnest.” Dalam penulisan makalah ini, penulis melakukan metode penelitian kepustakaan untuk mengumpulkan data dan informasi dengan menggunakan beberapa buku dan internet yang berkaitan dengan masalah untuk menganalisis aspek-aspek intrinsik seperti karakter dan plot.

Dalam The Importance of Being Earnest, Jack dan Algernon, adalah dua karakter yang memiliki karakteristik yang berbeda. Masing-masing dari mereka menciptakan karakter lain. Jack menciptakan Ernest dan Algernon menciptakan Bunbury. Memiliki dua nama yang berbeda, mereka bisa melakukan apa saja di dua tempat yang berbeda, di kota dan di negara ini. Selain itu, karakter utama mengalami konflik baik internal dan eksternal selama drama berlangsung. Terutama, baik Jack dan Algernon memiliki konflik internal yang sama. Mereka khawatir jika suatu hari nanti identitas mereka akan terungkap oleh gadis-gadis yang mereka sukai. Sementara konflik Jack terhadap Lady Bracknell tentang asal-nya membuat dia berusaha keras untuk mengungkapkannya. Algernon menyamar sebagai Ernest di Manor House, tempat Jack, membuat identitas asli mereka akhirnya terungkap dan menjelaskan asal Jack melalui Nona Prism dan penjelasan Lady Bracknell itu. Kesimpulannya, konflik internal dan eksternal dari Jack dan Algernon menyebabkan terungkapnya asal Jack. Kedua konflik internal dan eksternal mempengaruhi plot drama, seperti konflik Algernon terhadap Jack menyebabkan dia berpura-pura sebagai Ernest di Manor House agar ia dapat menemui Cecily, dan konflik internal Jack menyebabkan dia memutuskan untuk menghilang kansaudara laki-laki yang ia ciptakan, Ernest.

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ABSTRACT

In this paper the writer uses a drama by Oscar Wilde, a controversial man of letters of England. This paper focuses on the main characters‟ conflicts in Oscar

Wilde‟s The Importance of Being Earnest.

In writing this paper, the writer conducts library research method to collect the data and information by using some books and internet which are related to the problem for analyzing the intrinsic aspects such as character and plot.

In The Importance of Being Earnest, Jack and Algernon, are two characters who have different characteristics. Each of them creates another character. Jack creates Ernest and Algernon creates Bunbury. Having two different names, they can do anything in two different places, in the town and in the country. In addition, the main characters experience both internal and external conflict during the drama. Mainly, both Jack and Algernon have the same internal conflict. They concern if

someday their real identity would be revealed by their girls. Meanwhile Jack‟s

conflict toward Lady Bracknell about his origin makes him try hard to reveal it.

Algernon‟s undercover as Ernest at Manor House, Jack‟s place, makes their real

identity are finally revealed and clear up Jack‟s origin through Miss Prism and Lady Bracknell‟s explanation. In conclusion, the internal and external conflicts of Jack and Algernon lead to the revelation of Jack‟s origin. Both internal and

external conflicts influence the plots of drama, such as Algernon‟s conflict toward Jack causes him to pretend as Ernest at Manor House in order that he can meet

Cecily, and Jack‟s internal conflict causes him decided to vanish his created

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Alhamdulillahirobbil „alamin… All praises and thanks are just for ALLAH

SubhanahuwaTa‟ala, the almighty God and the Lord of the universe who gives

me health, time, love, and strength in my life especially from I begin my study in English Diploma Study Program, Faculty of Culture Studies, University of Sumatera Utara. I never forget to say Shalawat and greeting to the big prophet Muhammad SAW, who has brought us from the darkness to the brightness as we feel today.

Therefore, in this priceless occasion, I would like to utter my sincere gratitude to: 1. The Dean of Faculty of Culture Study, Dr. Syahron Lubis, MA.

2. The Head of Diploma III English Department program, Dr. Matius C.A. Sembiring, M.A, for giving the approval and supporting the fulfillment of this paper.

3. My academic consultant, Dr. Ridwan Hanafiah, M.A.

4. My supervisor, Drs. Parlindungan Purba, M. Hum, for checking my grammar and language errors in my paper. And also thank you for his enduring support, patience and wise suggestions.

5. My reader, Mahmud Arief Albar, S.S., M.A, for his valuable time to read my paper.

6. All the lecturers of D-III English Department, for sharing their priceless knowledge and precious experience.

7. All the USU librarians in both faculty and center library, for helping me in finding and copying paper references.

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8. My beloved father, Zulfikar Iskandar Muda Dalimunthe, thank you for reminding me about my paper. My lovely mother, Dewi Susi Suryani, you are the greatest woman that I ever had. Thank you for being patient with me, thanks for your trust, the moral values, financial support, advices, love and prayers for me. I am so proud to have father and mother like both of you. 9. My beloved sister, Ananda Putri Pratiwi Dalimunthe and my brother,

Muhammad Faisal Abda’u Dalimunthe, thanks for giving me love, care and

support. Keep our relationship forever!!!

10.My beloved Aunty, Muharni Daliani Dalimunthe and my uncle, Yan Firman,

Thank you for being my great parents when I‟m studying here. Thanks for the

financial support, love, care, advice, and prayers for me.

11.All my families member, Thanks for being such a nice and wise siblings. Especially for my beloved cousin, Muhammad Fachriza Husein Dalimunthe, thanks for push myself to finish this paper as soon as possible.

12.Thanks to Muhammad Idris Sapani, although now we are not together, but you have given me the greatest support in finishing it. Thank for your love,

care, advice and patient. And trust me that „true love never runs smooth‟.

13.My everlasting friends, Rizky Juliant “Kibot”, Tisha Milaqmar “Mak Tis”,

Rizky Alvionita Sari “Bebeb Nita”, Zulfida Sari “Bebeb Fida” and Ilham

Mulhakim “Iam”. Our togetherness during this decade is a great moment in

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14.All my friends in D-III English department ‟011 at class A and B, thanks for being such a nice friends and giving me your support. USU is the witness of our incredible moments!

15.My fellas everywhere, but I cannot mention one by one since the limitation of the space. Thank you for giving comments and suggestions every time when I am sharing my joy and pain. Hopefully God gives His blessing to all of you. Thank you very much, everybody.

In the end, I truly realize that some imperfectness might occur in this paper. Thus, I am gladly looking forward to any constructive advices and critics from the readers. Hopefully, this work can give a valuable contribution to the field of literary study. Aamiin yaa robbal‟alamiin…

Medan, 20 May 2014 The writer,

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PAGE OF TITLE

AUTHOR’S DECLARATION ... i

COPYRIGHT DECLARATION ... ii

ABSTRAK ... iii

ABSTRACT ... iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ... v

TABLEOF CONTENTS ... viii

1. INTRODUCTION ... 1

1.1 Background of the Study ... 1

1.2 Problem of the Study ... 3

1.3 Scope of the Study ... 3

1.4 Purposes of the Study ... 3

1.5 Method of the Study ... 4

2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ... 5

2.1 Definition of Character and Characterization ... 5

2.2 Definition of Conflict ... 8

2.3 Definition of Plot ... 9

3. THE ANALYSIS ... 11

3.1 John Worthing (Jack Cardew) ... 11

3.2 Algernon Moncrieff (Algy) ... 14

3.3 The Conflicts of the Main Characters ... 16

3.3.1 Jack‟s Internal Conflict ... 16

3.3.2 Algernon‟s Internal Conflict ... 17

3.4 The External Conflict ... 18

3.5 The Plot of Oscar Wilde‟s The Importance of Being Earnest ... 21

3.5.1 Exposition ... 21

3.5.2 Rising Action ... 22

3.5.3 Climax ... 24

3.5.4 Falling Action ... 24

3.5.5 Resolution (Denouement) ... 26

4. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS ... 27

4.1 Conclusion ... 27

4.2 Suggestions ... 28

REFERENCES APPENDICES

Biography of Oscar Wilde

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ABSTRAK

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ABSTRACT

In this paper the writer uses a drama by Oscar Wilde, a controversial man of letters of England. This paper focuses on the main characters‟ conflicts in Oscar

Wilde‟s The Importance of Being Earnest.

someday their real identity would be revealed by their girls. Meanwhile Jack‟s

conflict toward Lady Bracknell about his origin makes him try hard to reveal it.

Algernon‟s undercover as Ernest at Manor House, Jack‟s place, makes their real

external conflicts influence the plots of drama, such as Algernon‟s conflict toward Jack causes him to pretend as Ernest at Manor House in order that he can meet

Cecily, and Jack‟s internal conflict causes him decided to vanish his created

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Human beings as one of the three alive-creatures besides animal and plant have a particular ability, which makes him so special, that dominates the others. They are able to adapt, to survive and to analyze the universe phenomenon, which make their quality of life better and better since the past. They have the whole ability because God has granted them brain. Their curiosities are so great that they learn more and more. Besides, something that makes them more special than the others is they know the way to express their feeling, thought, and emotion.

Something to provide “a place” for all of the people‟s expression is literature.

Moleong (2000:13) says, “The knowledge which is earned by human beings arise conduct and it is used to reflect and express experience. Another opinion said that literature is one of the great creative and universal means of

communicating the emotional, spiritual, or intellectual concerns of mankind.” It

seems that something human being does deals literature, especially in communicating. To communicate to each other may be done by a means, such as by a letter, speaking directly, by phone etc. Even something they wrote or said, no matter what its content, could be called a literature. Well, in this life, in purpose or not in purpose, they have involved in a literature.

By using their mind they produced an expression of their feeling, emotion and thought to communicate with others. And this result of literature is called

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a literary work. Literary work consists of two types, namely imaginative and non-imaginative. Both literary works are basically the same, that is both are expressed aesthetically, but they have a different in expression. Imaginative type is commonly using connotative sentence to express an idea, while non-imaginative type is more realistic than the imaginative one. It uses denotative sentence.

Non-imaginative type consists of essay, criticism, biography, autobiography, history, memoir, diary, and letters. And imaginative type consists of poetry, fiction, and drama. In this paper, the writer takes a drama as an object that will be further analyzed. Reaske (1966:5) says, “Drama may be defined as a work of literature or a composition which delineates life and human activity by means of presenting various actions of – and dialogues between – a group of characters.”

Drama was firstly introduced by a Greek philosopher Aristotle. He also identified six elements of drama that enhance not only the story telling, but also the instructive and aesthetic values of a play. The first four of the elements is plot, character, thought, and diction (relate to drama/written script). And the last two elements are music and spectacle (relate to theatre/the play in performance).

To analyze a drama in a study or paper there must be minimally two elements that support each other, such as plot and character. Plot and character are two significant elements and very needed in a story. Plot is the arrangement of the incidents or events in a story, which are connected with each other, that makes a story more interesting and easy to be comprehended. Meanwhile, character is the player in the story; it may be humans, animals, or other imagination creatures created by the author. The story contains problems appearing within the actions that make the character struggle to overcome the problems. Therefore, the writer

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takes a topic “The Analysis of Conflicts in Oscar Wilde‟s Play The Importance of Being Earnest”. The writer analyses the characteristic of the main characters and

the plot to find out the character‟s conflicts in the play. 1.2 Problem of the Study

After reading the story of the drama, the writer concludes that there are many conflicts found which dealing with the main character. And of course the conflicts may influence the main character. Therefore, the writer can illustrate the objective of the study into three objectives. First, to find out the Earnest

Worthing‟s and Algernon‟s characteristics and their characterizations in Oscar

Wilde‟s The Importance of Being Earnest. Second, after analyzing the main characteristics, the writer tries to find out the conflicts dealing with them, either internal or external conflicts. Then the last, the writer will try to elaborate the plots one by one.

1.3 Scope of the Study

As there are many aspects in the Oscar Wilde‟s The Importance of Being

Earnest, the writer makes a limitation of discussion to make sure the theme of this

paper‟s analysis, namely the main characters, Earnest Worthing and Algernon,

and the characterization of the main characters by Oscar Wilde; the internal and external conflicts which deal with the main characters; and the plots.

1.4 Purposes of the Study

The purpose of this study is to explain the main character‟s conflicts and the plots in Oscar Wilde‟s play “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

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1.5 Method of the Study

In this paper the writer applies the method of the study is descriptive method of analysis.

The library research applies to support the analysis of the drama, collecting some data and information needed from the relevant books or other resources. Then reading and comprehending the data, making some notes until making the conclusion. Beside the library research, the writer also search from internet to enrich information which are related with the topic to analyze the main

characters‟ characteristics in order to find out the characters‟ conflicts and the plots.

Author Data Sources: _{- Written Script}

- Reference Books - Internet

Take the quotations from the script

Interpret the quotations

Analyze the quotations Get the

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2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

The understanding of literary elements can be very helpful in analyzing literary work, for example, novel, drama and poetry. Literary elements can be classified into two categories. They are intrinsic and extrinsic elements.

Semi (1998:31) says, “The intrinsic element of a literary work includes elements which establish a literary work inside. The elements are theme, plot,

setting, character and characterization, and figure of speech.” For that reason the

analysis of any kind of literary work needs a good knowledge about literary elements. Intrinsic element refers to setting, plot, theme, character, and point of view. Extrinsic element refers to social condition in a society and psychological condition. In this paper the writer employs one of literary works especially drama to be analyzed. And she will employ several intrinsic elements to analyze the drama, namely character, conflict, and one extrinsic element that is psychological condition.

2.1 Definition of Character and Characterization

Character is one of literary elements that is very vital to understand the entire story of a literary work. Characters are the humans, animals, or fantasy creature that are created by the author to act within a story for the author's purposes. In some examples, such as in historical fiction, there may be real human beings who lived during the time period of the story. A character may be described by the author through dialogues, actions, descriptions, and expositions of a narrator.

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Meyer (1990: 61) says, “Character is important in fictional work because a character helps to develop the plot. Character is influenced by events just as

events are shaped the plot by characters.” Characters can be classified by the

amount of influence they have over the plot. If a character has a large influence on the plot, that is, if the character's actions have a significant effect on the ending of the story, then that character is considered a major (or main) character. On the other hand, if a character has a small influence on the plot, that is, if the character's actions have little effect on the ending of the story, then that character is considered a minor character.

Roberts and Jacobs (1989:23) said, “Flat characters are essentially undistinguishable from their group or class. Therefore they are not individual, but representative. Usually they stay the same; they are static, and not dynamic like round character. They are not developed, and because they are not central to the

plot they do not change or grow.” Based on the statement, characters can also be

classified by the amount of change they show in their personalities. If a character has a significant change in personality, then that character is considered a dynamic character. If a character shows little or no change in personality, then that character is considered a static character.

Meanwhile, in order to analyze a character's personality or motivations, the reader must search for a pattern in the character's behavior, or this way is called characterization. Harmon (2003:88) says, “Characterization is the presentation of the character in action, with little or no explicit comment by the

author, from the action.” And in order to discover this pattern, the reader needs

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which an author creates a character. Robert Di Yanni, in his book of Literature: Reading Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and the Essay, formulates four techniques of characterization. They are exposition, dialogue, action and description.

First, through the exposition of the narrator, the narrator of a story or play may comment on how he/she feels, on what he/she thinks, on what he/she intends to do. This narrator may also voice an opinion about other characters, an opinion that helps the reader to understand those characters but also understand the narrator as well.

Second, through the dialogue or what a character says. As with people in real life, what characters say and how they say it, reveals much about their personalities. A character's choice of words can reveal his/her feelings and intentions as well as provide insights into social status, education level, and area of residence.

Third, through action (what a character does). Again, as with people in real life, what characters do, and how they do it, reveals much about their personalities. A character who simply tense up his fist upon hearing that his father has died is likely to be a different sort of person than one who shouts, screams, and weeps upon hearing the same news. Also, a reader should make a special note of how closely a character's actions and dialogue agree.

Fourth, through description (how a character looks/what belongings a character owns). We often gain our first impression of a person by noting what clothes he/she is wearing, what car he/she is driving, etc.

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Using these methods will help the reader determine if a character is major or minor, dynamic or static, round or flat. The reader should also use these methods to determine the reasons behind his/her attitudes towards the characters.

2.2 Definition of Conflict

The intrinsic element which can attract the readers‟ interest to read the literary works, especially drama, is the reflection of conflict.

As a human we are created to be a social creature, which means we live our life hand in hand with others. We have many hopes and wishes to be fulfilled in our life. However, life is not that simple because our needs could not always be satisfied. There are many obstacles, internal and environmental, which interfere our live to reach our goals.

Conflict can be a center of a story. Conflicts, which become the basis of plot, are the conflict of the protagonist. This situation and condition arouse some events on the story and make the story alive. Generally, the central of theme of a story is a conflict and how to solve or to end the conflicts.

Conflict is the element of the story which shows the concerns of the central characters. There are some universal conflicts which are often identified by the terms: character vs. character, character vs. self, character vs. society, character vs. nature.

Holman in his book A Handbook of Literature, conflict is a struggle which grows out of the interplay of the two opposing forces in plot. The character, usually the protagonist, may be involved in conflict of four different kinds, namely a struggle against the forces of nature, a struggle against another person,

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usually the protagonist, a struggle against society as a force, and a struggle for mastery by two elements within the person.

Staton, in Nurgiyantoro (1995:124) says, “Konflik dibedakan menjadi dua kategori, yaitu konflik internal dan eksternal. Internal konflik adalah konflik yang terjadi dalam hati jiwa seorang tokoh cerita. Dengan kata lain, konflik ini adalah konflik yang dialami dengan dirinya sendiri. Sementara, konflik eksternal adalah konflik yang terjadi antara seorang tokoh dengan sesuatu diluar dirinya.”

Conflict is also one of the causes in a story that makes it become more interesting. A story without conflict will be monotonous. Therefore, conflict is an important part of a story.

2.3 Definition of plot

The most important intrinsic element that will be very useful in comprehending the whole story is plot. When the reader can understand the plot of a story in drama, it means that he/she knows the entire story of it in detail. Aminuddin (2002:83) says, “Pengertian alur dalam karya fiksi pada umumnya adalah rangkaian cerita yang dibentuk oleh tahapan-tahapan peristiwa sehingga menjalin suatu cerita yang dihadirkan oleh para pelaku dalam suatu cerita.” It means that Jack uses different names in different conditions, so this action is concluded into a part of plot.

Plot may be discussed in terms of exposition, complication, climax, revelation, and denouement. Loban, as cited by Aminuddin (2002:84-85) says,

“Gerak tahapan alur seperti halnya gelombang. Gelombang itu berawal dari (1)

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konflik hingga menjadi konflik, (3) klimaks, (4) revelasi atau penyingkatan tabir suatu problema, dan (5) denouement atau penyelesaian yang membahagiakan, yang dibedakan dengan catastrophe, yakni penyelesaian yang menyedihkan; dan solution, yakni penyelesaian yang masih bersifat terbuka karena pembaca sendirilah yang dipersilahkan menyelesaikan lewat daya imajinasinya.” To know the entire story, we have to understand the plot and use our imagination about what is the story all about.

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3. THE ANALYSIS

The main characters in this drama are Jack and Algernon. Jack has three names; John Worthing, Jack Cardew and Ernest. He uses those names in different situations. He uses John and Jack in the country and Ernest in the town to get a girl named Gwendolen who loves the name of Ernest to become her fiancé.

3.1 Jack Cardew

Jack is a main character because he always appears in every scene and he is the central of the story in the play. He is a man about twenty-nine years old. He lives at Manor House in the country, and sometimes in the town. He comes to the town just looking for pleasure like Algy said to him. However, he comes to the town because he wants to meet Gwendolen to express his love to her. Therefore, he has two different names, Jack in the country and Ernest in the town. He likes to introduce himself as Ernest to everyone, especially to a girl he loves in the town.

He tells everything truly about himself to Lady Bracknell (Gwemdolen‟s mother), because Lady Bracknell asks him. He explains that he does not know his personal history, when Lady Bracknell asks him about his parents. He feels confused how to explain to her. Then, he says that he lost both his parents. Lady Bracknell is shocked to hear what Jack says. She said, losing one parent is a misfortune, but losing both parents is a careless.

Jack trying to explain that he has been taken care by Mr. Thomas Cardew since he was a child. He said that Mr. Thomas Cardew found him in a handbag in

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Victoria Station. Mr. Thomas Cardew gave Jack the name of Worthing because he happened to have a first-class ticket for Worthing in his pocket at that time.

Jack. I am afraid I really don‟t know. The fact is, Lady Bracknell, I said I had lost my parents. It would be nearer the truth to say that my

parents seem to have lost me... I don‟t actually know who I am by birth. I

was... well, I was found.

. . .

The late Mr. Thomas Cardew, an old gentleman of a very charitable and kindly disposition, found me, and gave me the name of Worthing, because he happened to have a first-class ticket for Worthing in his pocket at the time. Worthing is a place in Sussex. It is a seaside resort (Wilde, 2006:19).

Jack tries to attract Gwendolen and express his love. In a different room at Algernon‟s place, he has a good time to express his love.

Jack. My own one, I have never loved anyone in the world but you (Wilde, 2006:16).

As Jack has two different names, he lies by introducing himself as Ernest. He says to Algernon that his name is Jack in the country and Ernest in town. Even, Cecily, his niece, believes him that he has a brother named Ernest in town.

Jack. Well, my name is Ernest in town and Jack in the country, and the cigarette case was given to me in the country. (Wilde, 2006:9)

Jack says to Gwendolen that he likes her, and she admits that she likes him too, especially since she has always wanted to love someone named Ernest. Jack asks if she would still love him if his name were not Ernest, for instance Jack. She said she would not. She said that the name Ernest is suitable with him. He proposes to her, and she accepts.

Eventually Gwendolen knows that Jack has been lying to her. And Jack cannot deny it, because he also does not know his real name since he knows that

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he was a baby found in a hand-bag by Mr. Thomas Cardew in a cloakroom at Victoria station.

Jack. [Very seriously.] Yes, Lady Bracknell. I was in a hand-bag - a somewhat large, black leather… (Wilde, 2006:19).

. . .

In the cloak-room at Victoria Station. It was given to him in mistake for his own (Wilde, 2006:19).

He seems to try hard all this time to know his real parents. Finally, Miss Prism is the key of his problem. Because of her, he knows that actually Algernon is his

elder brother through Lady Bracknell‟s explanation. Then, he searches the military periodicals of the time, and know that his father‟s name was Ernest. He learns that his name Ernest John Moncrief as first sons is always named of the father. And with a merry heart, Jack tells to Lady Bracknell that he has realized, for the first time in his life, "the vital Importance of Being Earnest."

Jack. The Army Lists of the last forty years are here. These delightful records should have been my constant study. [Rushes to bookcase and tears the books out.] M. Generals... Mallam, Maxbohm, Magley, what ghastly names they have - Markby, Migsby, Mobbs, Moncrieff! Lieutenant 1840, Captain, Lieutenant-Colonel, Colonel, General 1869, Christian names, Ernest John. [Puts book very quietly down and speaks

quite calmly.] I always told you, Gwendolen, my name was Ernest, didn‟t I?

Well, it is Ernest after all. I mean it naturally is Ernest (Wilde, 2006:64).

Because Jack has many sides in his personality, he can be categorized as a round character.

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3.2 Algernon Moncrieff (Algy)

Algernon is a charming man with high fortune and a superior class. He

lives in a luxurious and artistically flat in London. He is Lady Bracknell‟s

nephew, cousin of Gwendolen Fairfax, and Jack is his closest friend in town. He is not great in playing piano, but he can play it with wonderful expression.

Algernon. I‟m sorry for that, for your sake. I don‟t play accurately - anyone can play accurately - but I play with wonderful expression. As far as the piano is concerned, sentiment is my forte. I keep science for Life (Wilde, 2006:4).

Algernon is a great pretender. He creates someone else as Jack does. He makes an invalid friend named Bunbury (a term that indicates a double life as an

excuse for absence). He uses the name as a reason to avoid Lady Bracknell‟s

dinner invitation. He said that Bunbury gets sick, so he has to visit him. And he also takes the benefit of the name Bunbury in order he can go to the country as often as he likes.

Algernon.It is a great bore, and, I need hardly say, a terrible disappointment to me, but the fact is I have just had a telegram to say that my poor friend Bunbury is very ill again. [Exchanges glances with Jack] They seem to think I should be with him (Wilde, 2006:13).

Algy is not a serious person to face the problem in his life. For example, when Jack finds that Algernon is bunburying in his house, Manor House, using the name of Ernest, even Jack has told to everyone in Manor House that his brother, Ernest, was die in Paris suffered from chili. Innocently Algernon can

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make the situation become cheerful such someone who lost his brother and suddenly found his brother.

Algernon. Brother John, I have come down from town to tell you that I am very sorry for all the trouble I have given you, and that I intend to lead better life in the future. [Jack glares at him and does not take his hand] (Wilde, 2006:34).

He is a romantic man. As Ernest, he really does, especially in front of Cecily.He is a smart person too, he can make Jack confess that he has been

“bunburying” all the time, and he success to get Cecily‟s love through many

struggles and obstacles. He pretends as Ernest at Manor House in order Cecily will impress him and accepts his love. However, once Cecily uncovers his undercover, and it causes a big mad of her. Then Algernon tries to clear up the problem by explaining that he did everything for her and would sacrifice anything for her. It seems a satisfied explanation and acceptable towards Cecily.

Algernon. Well, I simply wanted to be engaged to Cecily. I adore her (Wilde, 2006:49).

Algernon can be categorized as round character too, as he has two different

names with different character. Besides, he also acts as Ernest to get Cecily‟s

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3.3The Conflict of the Main Characters

Conflict is an element that can make a story be more attractive to be read. Conflict in the story can happened to main character/protagonist toward antagonist. Conflicts are divided into two, that are internal and external conflicts.

3.3.1 Jack’s Internal Conflict

The internal conflict happens to Jack when Jack is curious about his real name. He trying to find it in Army List of the last forty years. And finally he finds his real name, that is Ernest.

Jack The Army Lists of the last 40 years are here.These delightful records should have been my constant study. [Rushes to bookcase and

tears the books out.]M.Generals…Mallam,Maxbohm, Magley, what

ghastly names they have – Markby, Magsby, Mobbs, Moncrieff! Lieutenant 1840, Captain, Lieutenant – Colonel, Colonel, General 1869, Christian names, Ernest John. [Puts book very quietly down and speaks

quite calmly.] I always told you, Gwendolen, my name was Ernest, didn‟t I?

Well, it is Ernest after all. I mean it naturally is Ernest (Wilde, 2006:64).

Jack conflicts with himself also when he insists Gwendolen to marry him because he is afraid if Gwendolen knew his name was not Ernest, she would not love him anymore. He worry to show his internal conflict that may be one day his double personality will be revealed.

Jack. Well, really, Gwendolen, I must say that I think there are lots of other much nicer names. I think Jack, for instance, a charming name.

. . .

Gwendolen, I must get christened at once - I mean we must get married at once. There is no time to be lost (Wilde, 2006:15).

Jack‟s confession that he has no brother shows that he getting afraid if

keep lying Gwendolen will not love him anymore. But, however, his confession still makes Gwendolen angry with him.

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Jack. [Slowly and hesitatingly.]Gwendolen - Cecily - it is very painful for me to be forced to speak the truth. It is the first time in my life that I have ever been reduced to such a painful position, and I am really quite inexperienced in doing anything of the kind. However, I will tell you quite frankly that I have no brother Ernest. I have no brother at all. I never had a brother in my life, and I certainly have not the smallest intention of ever having one in the future (Wilde, 2006:48).

3.3.2Algernon’s Internal Conflict

While the internal conflict which experienced by Algernon begins when he knows for the first time about “Ernest” from Cecily, he is surprised when he knows that he has been engaging with Cecily for three months.

He is also surprised when he knows that “Ernest” has ever written some

letters to Cecily.

Algernon. My letters! But, my own sweet Cecily, I have never written you any letters (Wilde, 2006:39).

Those Cecily‟s confessions make Algernon very glad to be Ernest, as

unexpectedly “Ernest” is very close to Cecily and he is everything for Cecily. It is

a very fortune for him. He, at last really falls in love with Cecily.

Algernon is getting worried because Cecily likes the name of Ernest. Cecily says she would not love him if his name were not Ernest.

Algernon. But, my dear child, do you mean to say you could not love me if I had some other name?

. . .

Algernon. Well, my own dear, sweet, loving little darling, I really can‟t

see why you should object to the name of Algernon. It is not at all a bad name. In fact, it is rather an aristocratic name. Half of the chaps who get into the Bankruptcy Court are called Algernon. But seriously, Cecily...

[Moving to her]... if my name was Algy, couldn‟t you love me?

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Algernon has to confess, at last, that his friend Bunbury has died because he

only wants to be an “Algernon” who loves Cecily, and may be according to him

the Bunbury will bother his love to Cecily someday.

3.4The External Conflict

The external conflicts experienced by Jack and Algernon happen in many occasions and with other characters.

Jack conflicts with Algernon when he wants to propose Gwendolen, but Algernon do not give his agreement to him because he thinks that Jack has another girl named Cecily.

Algernon. It isn‟t. It is a great truth. It accounts for the extraordinary number of bachelors that one sees all over the place. In the second place, I don‟t give my consent.

. . .

My dear fellow, Gwendolen is my first cousin. And before I allow you to marry her, you will have to clear up the whole question of Cecily [Rings bell] (Wilde, 2006:7).

The conflict continues when Lady Bracknell knows that her daughter, Gwendolen, has just been engaged by Jack.

Lady Bracknell. Pardon me, you are not engaged to anyone. When you do become engaged to someone, I, or your father, should his health permit him, will inform you of the fact. … (Wilde, 2006:16).

Jack has to face Lady Bracknell‟s questions first before he engages Gwendolen. After some questions from Lady Bracknell are answered by Jack, he still does not get Lady Bracknell‟s agreement to marry Gwendolen. Lady Bracknell is very shock when she knows that Jack is an Orphan and has an unclear origin.

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Lady Bracknell. Me, sir! What has it to do with me? You can hardly imagine that I and Lord Bracknell would dream of allowing our only daughter - a girl brought up with the utmost care - to marry into a cloak-room, and form an alliance with a parcel? Good morning, Mr. Worthing! (Wilde, 2006:20).

Jack is very angry when he knows that Algernon is at the Manor House.

Jack knows what Algernon‟s aim to meet Cecily, that is why he wants Algernon

to leave the Manor House. He does not want Algernon to be in Manor House by using the name of Ernest to flirt Cecily, because Cecily is too young for Algernon.

Algernon.I would rather like to see Cecily.

Jack. I will take very good care you never do. She is excessively pretty, and she is only just eighteen (Wilde, 2006:22).

When Cecily knows that Jack does not have any brother and it is surprised

that her “Ernest” is actually Algernon, she immediately goes mad. And it happens to Gwendolen too, she finally knows that Jack has been lying to her. She is

disappointed as soon as she knows that her “Ernest” is Jack.

Jack. [Slowly and hesitatingly.] Gwendolen - Cecily - it is very painful for me to be forced to speak the truth. It is the first time in my life that I have ever been reduced to such a painful position, and I am really quite inexperienced in doing anything of the kind. However, I will tell you quite frankly that I have no brother Ernest. I have no brother at all. I never had a brother in my life, and I certainly have not the smallest intention of ever having one in the future (Wilde, 2006:48).

Jack blames Algernon because his secret of being Ernest is finally revealed. Therefore, as Cecily‟s guardian he does not agree if Algernon engages Cecily, because it is very impolite.

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Jack. As for your conduct towards Miss Cardew, I must say that your taking in a sweet, simple, innocent girl like that is quite inexcusable. To say nothing of the fact that she is my ward (Wilde, 1959:49).

Algernon do the same thing to Jack by saying that he will not let Jack marry with Gwendolen, as she is his cousin.

Algernon. I don‟t think there is much likelihood, Jack, of you and Miss Fairfax being united.

. . .

I can see no possible defence at all for your deceiving a brilliant, clever, thoroughly experienced young lady like Miss Fairfax. To say nothing of the fact that she is my cousin (Wilde, 2006:49).

Again, Jack resists Algernon‟s will to marry Cecily, although Lady Bracknell gives her agreement to both Algernon and Cecily. Finally he gives and offering to Lady Bracknell that he would give his agreement to Algernon to marry Cecily if only she gives her agreement to him to marry Gwendolen.

Lady Bracknell. You are perfectly right in making some slight alteration. Indeed, no woman should ever be quite accurate about her age. It looks so calculating... [In a meditative manner.] Eighteen, but admitting to twenty at evening parties. Well, it will not be very long before you are of age and

free from the restraints of tutelage. So I don‟t think your guardian‟s

consent is, after all, a matter of any importance (Wilde, 2006:58).

A conflict between Jack and Miss Prism also takes place when Jack insists Miss Prism to say the truth, who his parents is. After showing a handbag, Miss Prism admits that it is hers, where she put the baby and left it in the cloakroom of Victoria Station. He thinks that Miss Prism is his mother, but actually she does not, because she has never married yet before, even at her age now. He finally knows his parents through the explanation of Lady Bracknell.

Jack. Miss Prism, this is a matter of no small importance to me. I insist on knowing where you deposited the hand-bag that contained that infant.

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Miss Prism.[Calmly.] It seems to be mine. Yes, here is the injury it received through the upsetting of a Gower Street omnibus in younger and happier days. Here is the stain on the lining caused by the explosion of a temperance beverage, an incident that occurred at Leamington. And here, on the lock, are my initials. I had forgotten that in an extravagant mood I had had them placed there. The bag is undoubtedly mine. I am delighted to have it so unexpectedly restored to me. It has been a great inconvenience being without it all these years.

Jack. [In a pathetic voice.] Miss Prism, more is restored to you than this hand-bag. I was the baby you placed in it.

Miss Prism.[Recoiling in indignant astonishment.] Mr. Worthing! I am unmarried (Wilde, 2006:61-2).

3.5The Plot of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest

3.5.1 Exposition

The exposition of the play is some problems faced by Jack and Algernon. Jack faces many obstacles to his romantic with Gwendolen. One obstacle is from Lady Bracknell, who objects to what she refers to Jack‟s “origins” (i.e. his inability to define his family background).

Lady Bracknell. To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness. Who was your father? He was evidently a man of some wealth. Was he born in what the Radical papers call the purple of commerce, or did he rise from the ranks of the aristocracy? (Wilde, 2006:19).

Another problem is Gwendolen‟s obsession with the name “Ernest,” since

she does not know Jack‟s real name. Jack afraidGwendolen will not love him

again if his name is not Ernest.

Jack. But you don‟t really mean to say that you couldn‟t love me if my name wasn‟t Ernest?

Gwendolen. But your name is Ernest.

Jack. Yes, I know it is. But supposing it was something else? Do you

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Although Jack does not care either his name Ernest or not, but Gwendolen loves very much the name of Ernest and she thinks that the name is suitable for

Jack and, according to her, it can create “a vibration” like music.

Gwendolen. It suits you perfectly. It is a divine name. It has a music of its own. It produces vibrations.

. . .

Gwendolen. Jack?... No, there is very little music in the name Jack, if any at all, indeed. It does not thrill. It produces absolutely no vibrations... I have known several Jacks, and they all, without exception, were more than usually plain. Besides, Jack is a notorious domesticity for John! And I pity any woman who is married to a man called John. She would probably never be allowed to know the entrancing pleasure of a single

moment‟s solitude. The only really safe name is Ernest (Wilde, 2006:15).

Other problem faced by Algernon also comes from Jack. When Algernon wants Jack to explain clearly about a name of Cecily.Algrenon will not allow Jack to marry Gwendolen before he explains about the matter.

Algernon. My dear fellow, Gwendolen is my first cousin. And before I allow you to marry her, you will have to clear up the whole question of Cecily [Rings bell].

Jack. Cecily! What on earth do you mean? What do you mean, Algy, by

Cecily! I don‟t know any one of the name of Cecily (Wilde, 2006:7).

Meanwhile, the problem faced by Algernon is Jack does not allow him to know his address in the country. Because Jack suspects him Algernon will meet her, and may be will fall in love with her.

Algernon. Where is that place in the country, by the way?

Jack. That is nothing to you, dear boy. You are not going to be invited... I may tell you candidly that the place is not in Shrospshire (Wilde, 2006:10).

3.5.2 Rising Action

Algernon discovers that Jack is leading a double life and that he has a pretty young ward named Cecily.

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Jack. My dear fellow, there is nothing improbable about my explanation

at all. In fact it‟s perfectly ordinary. Old Mr. Thomas Cardew, who

adopted me when I was a little boy, made me in his will guardian to his grand-daughter, Miss Cecily Cardew. Cecily, who addresses me as her uncle from motives of respect that you could not possibly appreciate, lives at my place in the country under the charge of her admirable governess, Miss Prism (Wilde, 2006:9-10).

The revelation of Jack‟s origins make Lady Bracknell forbids him with

Gwendolen. Lady Bracknell doesn‟t want her daughter, Gwendolen, marries a

man who has undefined life background.

Algernon finally knows Jack‟s address in the country. He snoops and listens carefully when Jack is speaking to Gwendolen. He writes Jack‟s address in the country and immediately go to the country for “bunburying”.

Gwendolen. The story of your romantic origin, as related to me by mamma, with unpleasing comments, has naturally stirred the deeper fibres of my nature. Your Christian name has an irresistible fascination. The simplicity of your character makes you exquisitely incomprehensible to me. Your town address at the Albany I have. What is your address in the country?

Jack. The Manor House, Woolton, Hertfordshire.

[Algernon, who has been carefully listening, smiles to himself, and writes the address on his shirt-cuff. Then picks up the Railway Guide] (Wilde, 2006:23).

Identifying himself as “Ernest,” Algernon visits Jack‟s house in the country and falls in love with Cecily.

Algernon. To-morrow, Lane, I‟m going Bunburying.

. . .

I shall probably not be back till Monday. You can put up my dress clothes, my smoking jacket, and all the Bunbury suits . . . (Wilde, 2006:24).

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3.5.3 Climax

The play reaches into the climax when Algernon comes to Jack‟s house

(Manor House) to meet Cecily. He introduces himself to Cecily as Ernest, Jack‟s

brother. Then problems come as soon as Gwendolen arrives at the Manor House. Both Cecily and Gwendolen argue each other that they are Ernest‟s fiancée.

Gwendolen. I felt there was some slight error, Miss Cardew. The gentleman who is now embracing you is my cousin, Mr. Algernon Moncrieff.

Cecily.[Breaking away from Algernon.] Algernon Moncrieff! Oh! [The two girls move towards each other and put their arms round each other‟s waists protection] (Wilde, 2006:47).

Finally, Gwendolen and Cecily know that both Jack and Algernon have

been lying to them and no one between them are really named “Ernest.” Jack. [Standing rather proudly] I could deny it if I liked. I could deny anything if I liked. But my name certainly is John. It has been John for years (Wilde, 2006:47).

3.5.4 Falling Action

An incidentally meeting between Lady Bracknell with Miss Prism, Miss Prism makes Lady Bracknell asks her about a male baby, which she took care of twenty-eight years ago. It makes Miss Prism tell the whole true story of Jack‟s origin.

Lady Bracknell. [In a severe, judicial voice] Prism! [Miss Prism bows her head in shame]. Come here, Prism! [Miss Prism approaches in a humble manner]. Prism! Where is that baby?... (Wilde, 2006:60).

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Finally Jack Confess to Gwendolen and Cecily that he doesn‟t have any

brother named Ernest. He makes reason of being Ernest in town is in order to be easy to meet Gwendelon as often as he wants. And Algernon‟s reason being Ernest is that he just wants to meet Cecily.

Then Miss Prism tries to explain what actually had happened twenty-eight years ago, she said that the baby in a handbag had been converted with novels of her work.

Miss Prism. Lady Bracknell, I admit with shame that I do not know. I only wish I did. The plain facts of the case are these. On the morning of the day you mention, a day that is forever branded on my memory, I prepared as usual to take the baby out in its perambulator. I had also with me a somewhat old, but capacious hand-bag in which I had intended to place the manuscript of a work of fiction that I had written during my few unoccupied hours. In a moment of mental abstraction, for which I never can forgive myself, I deposited the manuscript in the basinette, and placed the baby in the hand-bag (Wilde, 2006:61).

Miss Prism is revealed as the governess who mistakenly abandoned Jack

as a baby and Jack is discovered to be Algernon‟s elder brother.

Jack. Algy‟s elder brother! Then I have a brother after all. I knew I had a

brother! I always said I had a brother! Cecily, - how could you have ever doubted that I had a brother? [Seizes hold of Algernon]. Dr. Chasuble, my unfortunate brother. Miss Prism, my unfortunate brother. Gwendolen, my unfortunate brother.Algy, you young scoundrel, you will have to treat me with more respect in the future. You have never behaved to me like a brother in all your life (Wilde, 2006:63).

After learning Jack and Algernon reason, Cecily and Gwendolen, at last, forgive them.

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3.5.5 Resolution (Denouement)

Jack‟s original name is still curious for him. He asks Lady Bracknell what

was his original name. Lady Bracknell said that a son used to be named after his father. Then Jack tries to look it up under army lists, and it is said that his full name is Ernest John Moncrieff.

Jack. The Army Lists of the last forty years are here. These delightful records should have been my constant study. [Rushes to bookcase and tears the books out].M. Generals... Mallam, Maxbohm, Magley, what ghastly names they have - Markby, Migsby, Mobbs, Moncrieff! Lieutenant 1840, Captain, Lieutenant-Colonel, Colonel, General 1869, Christian names, Ernest John. [Puts book very quietly down and speaks quite calmly]. I always told you, Gwendolen, my name was Ernest, didn‟t I? Well, it is Ernest after all. I mean it naturally is Ernest (Wilde, 2006:64).

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4. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS

4.1 Conclusion

Jack and Algernon are the main characters that can be categorized as a round character. They have complex characters which are intentionally created. They are urban people who also love to live in the country. Hence, they make

their own “duplicate” with different character for their own aim. Have two different names, they can do anything in two different places, in town and in the country, even both of them use the same name of Ernest to get girls they want, their double characters seem to make them involved in conflicts.

Both internal and external conflicts of the main characters may be included as approach-approach conflict. Algernon and Jack have “doubled” their selves by using different name in different place. Firstly, they are comfortable with the situation they do. However, eventually, their duality causes them to choose one of

two different names. In the end, Algernon has “to kill” and chooses to become

himself, Algernon, because he has no choice since Cecily knows that he was not Ernest. And Jack chooses to become Ernest, although he has intended to disappear Ernest, but he finally finds that he is the real Ernest.

The resolution of the plot in the story is ended with happy ending, which is Jack at last reveals his real parents through the explanation of Miss Prism and also the very important thing is that Jack finally knows his real name is Ernest. Therefore, he feels no meaningless during the time telling to everyone that his name is Ernest and having a little brother.

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4.2 Suggestions

Reading literatures or literary works is more enjoyable than any other

sources. It can give us pleasures, moral lesson of other‟s experiences in life and

love, broaden our mind and make us have a better judgment of problems.

In order that we have a better understanding of a literary work especially drama, it is important for us to know the analysis of a story. Knowing an analysis of a story makes us understand the values revealed in it. Hopefully it can give us a wise thinking or solution of a problem that we may face.

The Importance of Being Earnest reflects a moral value dealing with

human‟s daily life, namely honesty. A person may do anything to reach his/her

aim, but being honest is something hard to do. The preceding statements can be

assumed that till a person keeps “a skeleton in the cupboard”. He/she may be smart to conceal a falsehood, but it would be revealed eventually. Hence, in any condition honesty is needed although it is painful.

The writer also would like to expect all readers that they should be careful to solve the problems or conflicts in their life. They should realize that each person has his or her own characteristics and problems to be solved.

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REFERENCES

Aminuddin, 2002. Pengantar Apresiasi Karya Sastra. Bandung: Sinar Baru Algensindo.

Harmon, William. 2003. A Handboook to Literature. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Holman, C. Hugh. 1980. A Handbook to Literature. Indiana: Bobbs – Merril

Educational.

Meyer, Michael. 1990. The Bedford Introduction to Literature. Boston: Bedfords Book of St. Martin Press.

Moleong, Lexy J. 2000. Metodology Penelitian Kualitatif. Bandung: Remaja Rosdakarya.

Nurgiyantoro, Burhan. 1995. Teori Pengkajian Fiksi. Yogyakarta: Gadjah Mada University Press.

Robert, Edgar and Jacobs, Henry E. 1989. Literature An Introduction to Reading and Writing. New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs.

Roberts, Edgar V. 2003. Writing about Literature. New Jersey: Prentice Hall Upper Saddle, Tenth Edition.

Semi, Atar. 1993. Metode Penelitian Sastra. Bandung: Angkasa.

Silverman, Robert E. 1921. Psychology. New York: Meredith Corporation. Wilde, Oscar. 1951. Vol. 23. Encyclopedia Britannica, Ltd.

Wilde, Oscar. 1998. Anatomi Sastra. Bandung: Angkasa.

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APPENDICES

Biography of Oscar Wilde

Oscar Fingal O‟ Flahertie Wills Wilde was born in 1854. William Wilde, his father, was a doctor, specialist in disease of the eye and ear. Lady Jane Francesca Wilde, his mother, was a poet, journalist and well-known intellectuals

in Dublin, Ireland. Although Wilde‟s were not of the aristocracy, they were nonetheless prosperous and sent Oscar to the finest schools as he grew up. His mother was a best friend for him, as Oscar seems especially influenced by his mother, a brilliantly humorous storyteller, and he was frequently invited while still a child to participate in their intellectual circle of friends (Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol. 23, page 596).

In 1871, Oscar attended the Portora Royal School at Enniskillen, where Oscar excelled at studying the classics, obtaining top prize his last two years, and also earning a second prize in drawing. In 1871, Oscar was awarded by the Royal School Scholarship to attend Trinity College in Dublin. Again, he did particularly

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well in his classics courses, placing first in his examinations in 1872 and earning the highest honor the college could give on an undergraduate, a Foundation Scholarship. In 1874, Oscar reached his successes at Trinity with two final achievements. He won the college's Berkeley Gold Medal for Greek and was awarded a Demyship scholarship to Magdalen College in Oxford.

Oscar's father died on April 19, 1876, leaving the family financially

strapped. Henry, William's eldest son, take over the wild‟s role. He paid the

finance on the family's house and supported them until his sudden death in 1877. Meanwhile, Oscar continued to do well at Oxford. He was awarded the Newdigate prize for his poem, Ravenna, and a First Class in both his "Mods" and "Greats" by his examiners. After graduation, Oscar moved to London to live with his friend Frank Miles, a popular high society portrait painter. In 1881, he published his first collection of poetry. Poems received mixed reviews by critics, but helped to move Oscar's writing career along, and was a well-known enough entity to be satirized by a Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera. He moved to the avant-garde neighborhood of Chelsea in London (Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol. 23, page 596).

In December 1881, Oscar sailed for New York to travel across the United States and carry a series of lectures on aesthetics. The 50-lecture tour was originally scheduled to last four months, but extended to nearly a year, with over 140 lectures given in 260 days. In between lectures he made time to meet with Henry Longfellow, Oliver Wendell Holmes and Walt Whitman. He also arranged for his play, Vera, and then was staged in New York the following year. When he returned from America, Oscar spent three months in Paris writing a blank-verse

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tragedy that had been commissioned by the actress Mary Anderson. When he sent it to her, however, she turned it down. He then started out on a lecture tour of Britain and Ireland (Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol. 23, page 596).

In 1884, Oscar married a shy and rich Irishwoman, Constance Lloyd. She was a skilled woman who could speak several European languages and had an outspoken, independent mind. After they had married, they moved in to a posh London house. Their marriage was awarded two children, Cyril in 1885 and

Vyvyan in 1886. For supporting Oscar‟s family, he briefly worked at The Woman's World magazine from 1887-1889, and he wrote a collection of fairy tales and more essays championing the Aesthetic movement. In the 1890s, he

published his two works of children‟s stories, The happy Prince And Other Tales (1888) and The House of Pomegranates (1892). In 1890, he also published his first and only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, a Faustian tale about beauty and youth. In February 1892 he opened his first play, Lady Windermere's Fan. The other plays such as Salome (1892), A Woman of No Importance (1893), An Ideal Husband (1895), and The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) were his works which finally made him well-known as a playwright. His last play, The Importance of Being Earnest, is also considered his greatest and the modern shining example of the comedy of manners.

However, by now Wilde was infatuated with the younger, beautiful poet Lord Alfred Douglas (known as "Bosie"), and he was not shy about flaunting their sexual relationship. Douglas's father, the Marquess of Queensbury, accused Wilde of sodomy. Wilde, never one to back down from a fight, charged Queensbury with

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slander. However, Queensbury had several of Wilde's letters to Bosie and other incriminating evidence as well. Alongside the provocative material in Wilde's work, the writer was found guilty of homosexuality in a second trial and sentenced to two years of hard labor (Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol. 23, page 596).

In 1897, while in prison, Wilde wrote De Profundis, an examination of his newfound spirituality. After his release, he moved to France under an assumed name. He wrote The Ballad of Reading Gaol in 1898 and published two letters on the poor conditions of prison; one of the letters helped reform a law to prevent children from imprisonment. His new life in France, however, was lonely, impoverished, and humiliating. Wilde died in 1900 at the age of 46 from Meningitis, in a Paris hotel room. Nevertheless, he retained his epigrammatic wit until his last breath; he is rumored to have said in the drab hotel room, "My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One of us has to go." Critical and popular attention to Wilde has experienced a great resurgence; numerous films based on his plays and life have delighted audiences, while his writings remain a wellspring of witty and subtle thought on aestheticism, morality, and society (Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol. 23, page 596).

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Synopsis of

The Importance of Being Earnest

The drama tells about two men, Earnest Worthing (or Jack in the cast list and Jack in the body of the play) and Algernon Moncrieff (Algy). In 1895, in a stylish and artistic London flat, Algy is preparing for the arrival of his aunt, Lady Bracknell, and her daughter, Gwendolen. His butler, Lane, brings in Jack. Jack says that he just returned from the country. Of course Algy is curious by his coming to town. Jack tells that she has come to town to propose Gwendolen. Algy

is surprised, as doubt Jack‟s love to Gwendolen. He is doubtful to Jack‟s love to

Gwendolen, because the way Jack flirts with Gwendolen is completely disgraceful as bad as Gwendolen flirts with Jack. Algy says that before Jack proposes to Gwendolen he has to explain first a question of Cecily. Algy calls Lane to bring in the cigarette case. Jack says that Cecily is her aunt. But Algy does not believe

him, as the inscription inside the cigarette case says:” From little Cecily, with her fondest love to her dear uncle Jack.” Moreover Algy knows his name is not Jack,

but Ernest. Jack finally reveals that he has a name of Ernest when he is in town and a name of Jack in the country. Algy says that Jack has been undergoing a

“Bunburying”, as Algy does. Algy has also invented an invalid brother named

Bunbury.

Jack explains that Cecily is a granddaughter of Thomas Cardew, who lives in the country. Jack was adopted by Mr. Cardew and inquired to be a guardian to Cecily. Cecily now lives at Jack's place in the country under the guidance of her governess, Miss Prism. Since Jack must maintain a high level of morality to set an

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example, he needs an excuse to get into town. He has invented an idle younger brother named Ernest who lives in Albany. Algernon also confesses that he has created an invalid, Bunbury, in the country. He uses the Bunbury whenever he needs to get out of town. Jack says he is tired to be "Ernest," but Algernon maintains that he will need him more than ever if he marries.

Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen arrive. Algy tells Lady Bracknell that he will be unable to attend her dinner tonight, as Bunbury is ill. They go into the music room. While Jack gives ten minutes to confesses his feeling to Gwendolen in the living room. Then Jack begins, he says that he likes her, and Gwendolen admits that she likes him, too. Gwendolen discloses that she has always dreamed to love someone named Ernest. Jack asks if his name were not Ernest would she still love him, and she answered She would, she will remain love him. He proposes to her, and she accepts. Suddenly Lady Bracknell comes in, and Gwendolen informs her of their engagement. Lady Bracknell says that only she or her father can engage Gwendolen, and orders her to wait in the carriage.

After examining Jack, Lady Bracknell learns from Jack that he was an orphan, found in a handbag on a train. She is stunned and says she will not allow her daughter to marry him. She wants Jack to look for a parent of any sex immediately, but he refuses that.

Jack tells Algy what happened, and also says he will “kill” his brother

Ernest later in the week. Algernon expresses interest in meeting Cecily, but Jack does not want this to happen, as she is young and pretty. Then unexpectedly, Gwendolen returns. She tells Algernon to turn his back, as she wants to speak

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personally with Jack. She asks Jack his address in the country. She promises to write him quite often when he returns there. Algernon slyly listens their conversation behind and writes down and checks a train timetable. As soon as Jack and Gwendolen leave, Algy orders Lane to prepare everything he needs, as he will be going Bunburying tomorrow.

In the garden at Jack's country house, Miss Prism and Cecily are discussing Jack's seriousness; Miss Prism believes it is due to his anxiety over his brother. Dr. Chasuble enters the garden and asks Miss Prism to leave for a walk together. Merriman, their butler, announces the arrival of Ernest Worthing. Algy enters and he introduces himself as Ernest. He and Cecily briefly discuss his "wicked" reputation, while he tries to flirt with Cecily. Algy soon learns from Cecily that Jack will be back Monday afternoon, Algernon says that he must leave Monday morning.

Miss Prism and Chasuble return. She advises him to get married to a mature lady. Then Jack comes to the garden in black dress. He says that he has returned earlier than expected, and informs that his black dress describe his sorry, as his brother Ernest has died in Paris last night. Jack asks Chasuble if he would christen him this afternoon. He agrees. When Cecily appears from the house, she tells that she is absolutely glad because of his brother coming. She says that she has met Ernest and now he is in the dining room. Jack surprised and says he doesn't have a brother anymore. She runs into the house and brings out Algy. Jack refuses to shake Algernon's hand, but Cecily says that "Ernest" has been telling him about his friend Bunbury, and that someone who takes care of an invalid must

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have some good in him. Everyone but Jack and Algy leaves. Jack orders Merriman to get the dogcart, as Ernest has been called back to town. Jack tells Algy he must leave, while Algernon conveys an interest in Cecily. Jack exits.

Cecily enters the garden. Merriman tells Algernon the dogcart is ready, but Cecily says it can wait. Algernon compliments Cecily to her great delight, then tells Merriman that the dogcart can come back next week. He asks Cecily to marry him, and she points out that they have been engaged for three months. She shows him the box of letters he wrote to her. But actually the letters was written by Cecily for herself. She also admits that she loves him because his name is Ernest. Algy asks her whether she would still love him if his name were Algernon. And she says might be doubtful to love Algernon. Algy says he needs to see Chasuble quickly about christening. He wants to be christened as Ernest.

Merriman announces that Gwendolen has insisted to see Mr. Worthing (Jack). Cecily informs him that he has gone off to see Chasuble some time ago, but invites her in. Gwendolen immediately takes to Cecily, but wishes Cecily were not so young and charming, as "Ernest," despite his moral nature, is still susceptible to temptation. Cecily tells her that she is not Ernest's ward, but his brother Jack's. She also says that she is going to marry Ernest. They compare diary entries. Gwendolen feels she has the prior claim, since Ernest asked to marry her yesterday. The girls argue and insult each other.

When Jack enters the garden, Gwendolen asks if he is engaged to Cecily; he laughs and denies it. Cecily says the man before them is not Ernest at all, but

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Synopsis of

The Importance of Being Earnest

is surprised, as doubt Jack‟s love to Gwendolen. He is doubtful to Jack‟s love to

him, as the inscription inside the cigarette case says:” From little Cecily, with her fondest love to her dear uncle Jack.” Moreover Algy knows his name is not Jack,

but Ernest. Jack finally reveals that he has a name of Ernest when he is in town and a name of Jack in the country. Algy says that Jack has been undergoing a

“Bunburying”, as Algy does. Algy has also invented an invalid brother named

Bunbury.

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Jack tells Algy what happened, and also says he will “kill” his brother

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he is her Uncle Jack. As Gwendolen goes into shock, Algernon enters, and Cecily calls him Ernest. She asks if he is married to Gwendolen; he denies it. Gwendolen says that his name is Algernon. Cecily is upset, and she and Gwendolen hold each other and make up. Jack at last confesses that he has no brother Ernest, or any brother at all. The women leave the house. Jack is angry with Algy for he has been a troublemaker with his Bunburying. Then both Algy and Jack arrange to meet Chasuble and ask him to christen them "Ernest" later that evening. Jack tells Algy to leave his house, but he refuses.

Jack and Algernon meet Gwendolen and Cecily inside the country house. The women tell the men their Christian names are still being a problem. The men reveal that they are to be re-christened this afternoon, and the couples hug.

Lady Bracknell arrives, and Gwendolen, once again, informs her of her engagement. Unluckily, Lady Bracknell also does not agree with their engagement. She asks Jack to not continue their relationship.

Jack introduces Cecily to Lady Bracknell, and Algy says that he is engaged to her. Lady Bracknell gives her consent for their marriage, because she discovers Cecily has a large personal fortune. Jack, however, does not give his consent, as Jack assumes it is too young for Cecily to marry in her 18. He would only give his consent if she has reached 35 years old. He also suspects Algy as an untruthful man, as he has impersonated to be Jack's brother. It seems Jack is prowling to get his chance to marry Gwendolen. Jack tells Lady Bracknell that he would give his consent to the marriage of Algy and Cecily if she also gives

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herconsent to his marriage with Gwendolen. Arrogantly, Lady Bracknell refuses and tells Gwendolen to get ready for the train.

Chasuble enters and announces that the christenings are ready. Lady Bracknell refuses to allow Algernon to be baptized, and Jack tells Chasuble that the christenings will not be necessary any more. Chasuble says he will leave, and says that Miss Prism is waiting for him. Learning Miss Prism presents, Lady Bracknell surprised and, at once, accuses her of kidnapping a baby boy from her

house 28 years ago. Miss Prism‟s face goes pale; he replies that he admits that.

Under Jack's questioning, Miss Prism reveals she accidentally left the baby in a handbag on the Brighton railway line. Jack leaves excitedly.

Jack leaves for a moment and returns with a handbag. Miss Prism confesses that it is the same handbag. Jack tells her he was the baby. Lady Bracknell informs Jack that he is the son of her sister. Jack soon realizes that Algy is his brother. Jack asks Lady Bracknell what his original name was. She says he was named after his father. After looking up his name under the Army Lists, they learn his full name was Ernest John Moncrieff. All people in the room are cheerful and embrace each other. Jack tells Lady Bracknell that this the first time in his live he has just realized the vital importance of being Ernest.

The Analysis Of Conflicts In Oscar Wilde’s Play“The Importance Of Being Earnest”