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Oscar Wilde: 'The Importance of Being Earnest'
Oscar Wilde: 'The Importance of Being Earnest' | Oscar Wilde
144 posts | 423 read | 2 reading | 91 to read
`The truth is rarely pure, and never simple.' `. . .in married life three is company and two is none.' Is this play a `unique work of art' as Oscar Wilde believed? Or, as a first-night reviewer claimed in 1895, it `represents nothing, means nothing, is nothing'? This is for you to decide. . . Cambridge Literature is a series of study texts which presents writing in the English-speaking world from the 16th century up to the present day. The series includes novels, drama, short stories, poetry, essays and other types of non-fiction. Each edition has the complete text with an appropriate glossary. The student will find in each volume a helpful introduction and a full section of resource notes encouraging active and imaginative study methods.
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AshleyHoss820
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Pickpick

I read this a year ago, for fun, and just finished it for Victorian Lit class. Still freaking hilarious And scathingly witty. There are so many quotable one-liners. Do yourself a favor and enjoy a reading of this one.

Clare-Dragonfly Have you seen the movie with Judi Dench? 😂 It‘s brilliantly done! 4mo
AshleyHoss820 @Clare-Dragonfly We started it in class yesterday! We‘ve been dying! I would LOVE to see this on stage! 4mo
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vonnie862
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Saw this fun musical at our local community theater. I need to re-read Oscar Wilde's play.

peanutnine Fun! 6mo
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Eggs
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1-Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest. Hilarious and so clever

2-Seinfeld

3-Seinfeld Halloween 🎃 🍫

#TLT ThreeListThursday @dabbe

wanderinglynn Thanks for the tag! 6mo
TheSpineView Thanks for the tag!😘 6mo
Eggs @wanderinglynn Welcome! 6mo
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Eggs @TheSpineView Welcome! 6mo
dabbe 1. I saw the movie in the 90s and loved it, and I just read the play last year! He was the wittiest writer, wasn't he? 🤩
2 & 3. YES! Love Seinfeld, though when it ran against Friends, I chose Friends. 😍
Thanks for playing! 🧡💜💛
6mo
Eggs @dabbe 🩷💙🤍 6mo
61 likes6 comments
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bela_deters
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this play, it‘s an absolute shit show from top to bottom and I love it

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readers_attic
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Pickpick

A play I enjoy so thoroughly, laughed till I dropped & recommend completely.

#drama #play #comedy #satire

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GatheringBooks
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Eggs One of my favorites 🤩 ❤️ 13mo
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IndoorDame
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Eggs Love this play! 13mo
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dabbe
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Pickpick

What a farcical romp! Almost every word dripping from a character's mouth is seeped in dramatic and situational irony. In this case, though, Wilde skewers the so-called norms of Victorian society with characters purposely engaging in made-up lives in order to allow them to carry forth with their pleasurable lives. I suspended my disbelief because I would have not been able to have laughed out loud and enjoyed this “comedy of manners“ otherwise.

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AshleyHoss820
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Pickpick

Oscar Wilde is one of the greatest wits of all time. I was reading this play, laughing the entire time, and scheming lessons/activities I could do with future classes. This is an absolute riot from start to finish.

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keepingupwiththepenguins
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Pickpick

The farcical premise and witty dialogue have made The Importance Of Being Earnest Wilde‘s most enduringly popular play. It‘s still beloved by critics, readers, and theatre-goers alike, and I‘m happy to join them in singing its praises. It‘s a quick read, remarkably clever, and delightfully ridiculous. Full review: https://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/the-importance-of-being-earnest-oscar-wilde...

CarolynM ❤️ 2y
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CindyMyLifeIsLit
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Pickpick

Droll and full of sharp one-liners and keen social observations. There‘s a reason Wilde‘s quotes live on—they‘re hilarious and dripping with snark!

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shivanishinde09
Pickpick

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the paperback of this play by Oscar Wilde. It is a humorous play in which the main characters weave a web of lies to hide their identity for social reasons; which creates confusion and how ultimately fessing up is the solution to all their problems; hence the importance of being earnest!

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lil1inblue
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“The suspense is terrible. I hope it will last.“

Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

#QuotsyMar21 #Suspense #OscarWilde

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Tianarose
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It‘s Spike! 😍😍

BookDragonNotWorm Look at that! I was just wondering what happened to him! 3y
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MariaW
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And at sundown the 1986 version -even though I prefer this one costumewise, I think some of the characters are portayed ober the top (e.g. Gwendolyn) - even for this exaggerated comedy. But I do like Earnest‘s mustache though. 👨‍🦰

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MariaW
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I found two versions of The Importance of Being Earnest on Youtube. Naturally, I started with the „younger“ one starring Colin Firth. Judi Dench as Lady Bracknell is perfect, she also played an aristocratic prick in Pride and Prejudice and I have to say plays such roles perfectly.

mabell Ha we just watched it tonight too! (For the millionth time - it‘s one of our all time favorites!) 3y
MariaW @mabell Actually, for me it was the first time. Made it through 35 years without reading the play. 🙈 (edited) 3y
mabell I just read it for the first time a few years ago, and it enjoyed it. This is one time when I think the movie did a terrific job of taking the spirit of it (and most of the lines/plot) and making it even better! 3y
emz711 One of my favorite movies and sound tracks. Rupert Everett and Colin Firth are fantastic 3y
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MariaW
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Pickpick

This is actually a trivial comedy for serious people. Ernst and Algernon fighting about cucumber sandwiches and muffins is hilarious to read about. But the end seemed a bit sudden.

Ruthiella “A trivial comedy for serious people “ is brilliant! 😀 3y
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MariaW
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Next nice beach read. I never had to read the Importance of being Earnest in school, but I have to do it know as a teacher. 😂

bluestocking.book.nerd I directed a production of Ernest and let me tell you the chaos of Jack and Algie fighting over the last muffin is peak live comedy. 🤣🤣 3y
Oryx I watched the play once - so hilarious 3y
MariaW @Oryx @bluestocking.book.nerd 🙌 3y
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Michellesibs
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Pickpick

'The only way to behave to a woman is to make love to her, if she is pretty, and to someone else if she is plain'.

Written in play format this is campy fun in its purest form, I just love Wilde's social commentary of the 18th century. Its no surprise that I loved this as I adore Dorian Gray for the very same reasons.

Oscar Wilde is pure romcom material.

This is a short story and a fun way to spend a couple of hours.

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Bhawinnie

Algernon,"I really don‘t see anything romantic in proposing. It is very romantic to be in love. But there is nothing romantic about a definite proposal. The very essence of romance is uncertainty."

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nidhinb
Pickpick

Humorous 👍

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JenReadsAlot
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OriginalCyn620 Right? He has so many awesome quotes! 4y
KristenDuck Fantastic quote !! 4y
peaKnit This is a good one that I‘ve repeated Libby many times over ❤️ 4y
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Eggs
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VeganCleopatra This is probably my favorite classic. 4y
CarolynM I've seen the play on stage quite a few times over the years. It's always enjoyable, but this old film is the best😍 (edited) 4y
DebinHawaii I love the Colin Firth & Rupert Everett one so much! 💜💜💜 4y
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wanderinglynn One of my favorite Wilde works too! 4y
rwmg Is it actually possible to say "a handbag" without channelling Edith Evans? 4y
SW-T I love the play and the 1952 version of the film. 😊 4y
OriginalCyn620 It‘s a good one! 4y
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kimovsky
Pickpick

What a joy this little play is! So fun. A lovely, quick read.

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toofondofbooks
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a.bookish.byrd
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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TracyReadsBooks
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Pickpick

This was every bit as fun & delightful as I expected it to be. Wilde‘s wit is on full display in this satirization of love, friendship, family & marriage. The story is simple—even Wilde characterized the plot as rather slight—& tells a tale of two friends, both bachelors, the women they fall in love with & what follows. I laughed out loud, smiled in sympathy & amusement, & didn‘t want it to end. Good thing there‘s a movie adaptation to watch!

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TracyReadsBooks
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While I was working on my library reorg, I put aside a small stack of books I wanted to read/reread. I‘m just going to work my way down the stack so it‘s the tagged book first. I don‘t remember if I‘ve ever read this play but I love Wilde‘s writing so I‘m anticipating another good story.

BarbaraTheBibliophage I just finished my library reorganization project today. I need to take some pics before it gets all goofy again! 4y
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TracyReadsBooks
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I started reorganizing my library today and came across all sorts of treasures. This is a 1965 paperback edition of the tagged book. Love the cover...and the $2.50 price!

Riveted_Reader_Melissa That is a great cover! 4y
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M.V

I have barely read a thing the last six months, since I lost my dog in a breeders dispute. Now of all my personal tragedies this chose to be the breaking point. No audiobooks on our walks, no evening cuddles with her head obscuring the pages. The very thought of letting a book soothe me, makes me irrationally upset. However. As I approach virus quarantine I‘ll make an attempt to let litterature back in. And try not to be so whatever this is.

britt_brooke 💚 ((hugs)) 4y
Librarybelle ❤️❤️❤️ 4y
Hestapleton 💜💜 4y
aprilpohren Hugs 4y
29 likes4 comments
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Lcsmcat
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I‘m not sure I have an all-time favorite, but this is definitely a #favPlay among many. #FebruaryFeels @Eggs

Eggs I concur 💕💕 4y
zezeki I loved this one! 4y
CarolynM Love it❤️ 4y
akaGingerK I used to perform a selection from this play with a friend for Speech competitions. I loved it, but it never landed with the judges - until the weekend before we were ready to switch to a new piece 🤷‍♀️ 4y
Lcsmcat @akaGingerK Silly judges! 4y
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PurpleyPumpkin
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This is my absolute favourite play. So witty! #aplay #GratefulReads

batsy Lovely edition! 4y
OriginalCyn620 I love this one too! 4y
readordierachel I was just watching the movie adaptation today! 4y
PurpleyPumpkin @batsy It‘s probably 30 years old!😳 4y
PurpleyPumpkin @OriginalCyn620 @readordierachel It‘s a wonderful play. I love the 1952 movie and look forward to seeing the later version (2002?). 4y
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Eggs
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#life More of a quote really but I‘m sticking with it.

#poetrymatters

@TheSpineView

TheSpineView Good quote!💜 5y
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Merethebookgal
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This episode was so fun to record because for the first time in 4 years of podcasting all 4 of us cohosts were in the same room! We gush a bit about the Good Omens mini series, talk a little about the theatre, and then find out we may be bunburyists while discussing The Importance of Being Earnest. Listen at eclecticreaders.fireside.fm/67 or on Apple Podcasts/your favorite podcast app under “Eclectic Readers” #EclecticReaders

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jmtrivera
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I forgot to post this yesterday, but hey, new episode is out! All 4 of us were together to celebrate our book club's 10th birthday, and it was so much fun. It's so much harder not to laugh on air when we're all together! 😂😂
#EclecticReaders @EclecticReaders

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EclecticReaders
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Our IRL book club just celebrated our 10 year anniversary, and for the first time ever, all 4 cohosts were in one place to record an episode! We talk a little about the Good Omens mini series, a little about the theatre, and a lot about being earnest. Listen at eclecticreaders.fireside.fm/67 or subscribe to us in Apple Podcasts/your favorite podcast app and let us know your thoughts! #EclecticReaders #Podcast

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jmtrivera
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Half a book per month! I hope I can commit to this! 😂😂😂

sprainedbrain I dunno... that‘s a pretty serious commitment! 😂 5y
jmtrivera @sprainedbrain Right? And we all know how uncommitted to reading I am... 😂 5y
sprainedbrain @jmtrivera You‘re really going to have to buckle down and finish strong. 😁😂 5y
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EclecticReaders
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This month we‘re reading The Importance of Being Earnest, so we‘re talking all things plays! Do you enjoy reading plays? What are some of your favorite plays? If you‘ve watched any plays, what have been some of your favorite productions? Leave a comment and we might share it during the next podcast episode! #EclecticReaders

Palimpsest Amadeus. Look back in Anger. The Foreigner. A Taste of Honey. 5y
EclecticReaders @Palimpsest Amadeus is going to be playing at a theatre near a few of us cohosts next year and we‘re thinking about getting tickets! 5y
Palimpsest That would be great to see! 😊 5y
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EclecticReaders
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Read this hilarious play with us for our July episode! #EclecticReaders

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bookandcat
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About to see a free Oscar Wilde production in Central Park done by NY Classical Theatre! It's panoramic style so we will move around the park for the 2 scene changes that happen. #nyc #theater

DivineDiana How wonderful! 👏🏻 5y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa That will be great! 5y
Leftcoastzen Coolness! 5y
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SW-T
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1. The Brighton Mermaid; Sleepless, Volume 2; Treason of Hawks

2. The Importance of Being Ernest. The 1952 version, NOT the 1986 or 2002 versions.

3. Neither really.

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

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CogsOfEncouragement
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Pickpick

I read this because it has been on my TBR list for awhile, and it is just 100 pages. I wanted a brief break between Austen heroines. (I am reading a novel each month with the #ArdentlyAustenBookClub on Insta.) It turned out to be a well timed choice. This comedy was first performed in 1895. It pokes fun at the same things Austen does. I plan to watch the 2012 movie starring Reese Witherspoon and Colin Firth in the next few days.

CatAndKindle I‘ve just been out to see an am dram performance of this tonight. It was very good. X 5y
CogsOfEncouragement @CatAndKindle That is awesome! Sounds fun. As I was reading it I decided I really want to see it performed. 5y
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shelbyy
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Pickpick

I found this play to be quite funny. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook very much 🎧

mabell I love this so much! And, I think the Colin Firth movie even improves upon the play 😱😆❤️ 5y
shelbyy @mabell I‘ll have to check it out! 5y
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shelbyy
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Started listening to this audiobook during my commute to work. It is definitely amusing 🎭

Gezemice My favorite! The funniest thing I have ever read and I do read a lot of humor. 5y
shelbyy @Gezemice it has made me chuckle a few times already! I am enjoying it so far ☺️ 5y
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BiblioLitten
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Just what I needed when I felt out-of-sorts: Mr Wilde and some(biting cold) air! #litsywalkers
This is one of my favourite plays, and I love coming back to it.

Kaye Good for you Archana. How are you adjusting to the snow ? 5y
BiblioLitten It‘s Rumi‘s first winter here, so we are being a little cautious. The snow doesn‘t bother me too much. 😊 @kaye 5y
Wife 🌹 5y
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batsy 💙 5y
Tanisha_A Enjoy! ☕ 5y
Cathythoughts Beautiful 👍🏻💙 5y
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BiblioLitten
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This article from ages ago mentions how admirers had thoughtlessly defaced Wilde‘s tombstone by kissing it and leaving ugly lipstick marks on it. They installed a glass covering to protect the memory. But a few people say that it wasn‘t fair, and Wilde might actually have enjoyed all the kissing. 😘😘😘

https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/16/world/europe/oscar-wildes-tomb-sealed-from-ad...

#admirer 🙋🏻‍♀️ #literarylove

Lola That cemetery is magical. The family of Doors‘ frontman Jim Morrison had to change his headstone at the same cemetery because of defacement. People ended up just writing on the surrounding stones of others. When we visited on our honeymoon, we walked away with a contact high from all the people smoking weed at his grave 🙃 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💋👄💋👄💋 5y
BiblioLitten @Lola That‘s so interesting to read. I‘d love to visit the cemetery some day. 5y
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Lola @BiblioLitten It‘s really an incredible place. One of the absolute highlights of that trip. 5y
vkois88 Wow, that's crazy!!! I wouldn't even think to do such a thing... no matter how much I admired a writer 5y
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