... is known as Ernest and Algernon also pretends to be the profligate brother Ernest. This novel gives insight to class conflict during the late 19th century. He died on 1900. Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest and Ibsen's A Doll's House display similar characterization and themes of dual identity and mask's of manners. The major target of Wilde's scathing social wit is the hypocritical mask of society. Frequently in Victorian society, its participants comported themselves ... in overly sincere, polite ways while they harbored conversely manipulative, cruel attitudes. Wilde exposes th...

• Word Count: 1539
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School