`the Importance Of Being Earnest`

In some ways the theme of trivialising the serious and vice versa can be attributed to the decadence of the period, which so fascinated Wilde. His works encapsulate many features of the movement, such as perversity, which was considered to be an element of the fin-de-siecle.This is apparent in numerous paradoxical statements and the manner in which characters are so fickle, constantly changing their minds over issues as serious as marriage. He satirizes men by demonstrating that they can be as perverse as women. The egoism associated with decadence contributes to the comedy with absurd confusions in priorities, such as the importance of the name `Ernest` in a suitor rather than love. It is also apparent in such characters as Dorian and Algy from The Importance of Being Earnest, who consider themselves to be above morality. Another feature is artificiality, which trivialises `friendships` in society. This provides much of the humour in The Importance of Being Earnest, which is meant to be a comedy of manners. As Cecily says, everyone has a "shallow mask of manner" which is donned and removed according to necessity. It exposes everyone as being guilty of dishonesty and falseness - vices which were considered essential for advancement in society. Gwendolen claims, "In matters of grave importance, style; not sincerity, is the vital thing", and in The Picture of Dorian Gray, society "feels instinctively that manners are of more importance than morals"