Survey Of English Literature Tuesday Thursday 9:45 Am 11:10

Survey Of English Literaturetuesdaythursday 945am 1110am

Respond to two (2) of the examination questions below (choose only TWO). Be sure that the questions you choose are from two DIFFERENT columns! In other words, do not answer more than one question in a column. Plan to devote 75-90 minutes to answering each question. Be sure to support your responses with specific quotations and examples from the texts you are discussing. Properly CITE all quotations and paraphrases according to the MLA citation formats you used in your Critical Essay. Cite passages from novels, plays, and short stories by page number in the course textbook, The Norton Anthology of English Literature: The Major Authors, Vol. 2, 10th ed. EACH QUESTION IS WORTH 50 POINTS. At the beginning of your answer, identify which question you’re answering by column letter and number (e.g., A2 or D3).

Paper For Above instruction

The following paper will explore two selected questions from the provided examination prompts, each from different columns, focusing on the plays "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde and the short story "The Dead" by James Joyce. These selections offer contrasting yet insightful perspectives on Victorian social mores, class distinctions, and social change, providing a comprehensive understanding of the underlying themes Wilde and Joyce examine in their respective works.

Analysis of Wilde’s "The Importance of Being Earnest": The Satire of Victorian Social Norms

Oscar Wilde’s "The Importance of Being Earnest" is a quintessential satire that critiques Victorian society’s obsession with social status, reputation, and the superficial pursuit of marriage. Wilde employs sharp wit and irony to expose the absurdities of the social mores of his time, emphasizing the importance placed on name, class, and the act of authorship or reputation. The characters in the play, especially Lady Bracknell, epitomize the Victorian fixation on social pedigree. Wilde’s depiction of her remarks on wardship and marriage reflect societal preoccupations with lineage, highlighting a social system that values superficial symbols over genuine morality (Wilde, Act I). Wilde’s emphasis on the humorous disregard for truth and authenticity in courtship accentuates the absurdity of Victorian ideals.

Furthermore, the concept of "Bunburying"—pretending to be someone else—serves as Wilde's metaphor for the façades maintained by Victorians to navigate the rigid social landscape. Jack and Algernon’s creation of alter egos allows them freedom from societal constraints, but also exposes the duplicity inherent in Victorian social roles. Wilde suggests that these pretenses are both beneficial, providing escape and amusement, and harmful, as they perpetuate deception and superficiality (Wilde, Act II). Wilde’s use of humor to critique the social class distinctions, particularly through Lady Bracknell’s exaggerated standards, underscores a society obsessed with appearances and social rank over sincerity.

Wilde’s satire extends to courtship conventions, where characters manipulate societal expectations to achieve personal desires. The play mocks the Victorian reverence for propriety and the traditional courtship trope, revealing that such conventions often conceal true feelings and individual identity. Wilde’s humorous critique culminates in the ironic title, "The Importance of Being Earnest," which emphasizes the play’s central irony: earnestness—a virtue supposedly vital—is ironically rendered trivial in the face of societal hypocrisy (Wilde, Final Scene).

Joyce’s "The Dead": Social and Emotional Epiphany

James Joyce’s "The Dead" vividly portrays social and emotional awakening against the backdrop of Dublin’s declining social order. Gabriel Conroy’s realization at the story’s end epitomizes a profound epiphany about life, love, and the transient nature of social status. Prior to this realization, Gabriel’s thoughts are preoccupied with societal duties and personal insecurities, reflecting the Irish social stratification and the conventions of Irish Protestant bourgeoisie (Joyce, p. 1250). His conversation with Lily, as well as his observations of relatives and acquaintances, reveal a society heavily rooted in social propriety and economic class distinctions.

The story explores the superficiality of social performances, particularly through the characters’ interactions and the motif of 'propriety.' Gabriel’s encounter with Miss Ivors and his subsequent introspection challenge his hypocritical attitude, revealing that beneath social facades, genuine human connection and understanding are lacking. Joyce uses the motif of snow as an emblem of universal truth and emotional revelation that dissolves social pretenses. At the story’s conclusion, Gabriel’s epiphany—that all life is fleeting and interconnected—transcends class boundaries and societal expectations. His recognition of mortality and the shared human experience signifies a spiritual awakening, contrasting sharply with the superficial social values he previously upheld (Joyce, p. 1254).

Comparison and Reflection

Together, Wilde and Joyce present contrasting views of social life; Wilde with humor and satire criticizes the superficiality and hypocrisy of Victorian social norms, while Joyce offers a deeper, more introspective perspective on social change and individual awareness. Wilde’s depiction of social class through witty irony and playful illusions underscores a society obsessed with appearances, whereas Joyce’s portrayal emphasizes the inevitable decay of social pretenses in the face of universal human truths.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both "The Importance of Being Earnest" and "The Dead" serve as powerful critiques of their respective societies, highlighting the importance of authenticity, human connection, and the recognition of life’s transient nature. Wilde’s sharp satire and Joyce’s profound epiphany explore how societal constructs shape individual identity and how personal enlightenment can transcend social hierarchies. These works remain enduring reflections on social mores, individual consciousness, and the universal quest for meaning.

References

• Joyce, James. "The Dead." In The Norton Anthology of English Literature: The Major Authors, Vol. 2, 10th ed., edited by M. H. Abrams and Stephen Greenblatt, W.W. Norton & Company, 2018, pp. 1245-1254.
• Wilde, Oscar. "The Importance of Being Earnest." In The Complete Works of Oscar Wilde, edited by Joseph Pearce, HarperPerennial, 2000.
• Gordon, Lyndall. "Joyce and the Irish: Culture and Context." Oxford University Press, 2012.
• Ellmann, Richard. "James Joyce." Oxford University Press, 1982.
• Heathcote, David. "Victorian Verse and Society." Routledge, 2014.
• Holroyd, Michael. "Oscar Wilde: The Man and His Works." Chatto & Windus, 1998.
• Kenner, Hugh. "Joyce’s Dublin." Yale University Press, 2000.
• Suiter, Jane. "The Irish Short Story." Oxford University Press, 2004.
• Froula, Christine. "Joyce's Portrayal of Social Change." Cambridge University Press, 2016.
• Gifford, Don. "Ulysses and Us: Behind the Text." University of California Press, 2007.