Importance of being Ernest

2 November, 2022      

     Hello dear friends, here I am writing a blog on character sketch of Cecily Cardew of 'Importance of Being Ernest' by Oscar Wilde. 

                           Importance of being Ernest

   

     “The truth is rarely pure and never simple” (Wilde 1738). There are people in this world who fabricate on their lifestyle just to please others or themselves. However, the truth will always reveal itself sooner than later. In the play, Oscar Wide reveals that it is difficult to tell the truth even if try to, because the truth will never be so simple. Once all of the lies have been told, who would believe the truth.

     Oscar Wilde wrote the comedy melodrama play “The Importance of Being Ernest” which is his perception of the rigid Victorian social norms and values. Also the word “Earnest'' plays a significant role in the play. Oscar Wilde uses his characters to express’s his deviance of the Victorian social norms, such as marriage, hereditary privileges, sexual roles and language. The main characters are Jack Worthy (Ernest), Algernon Moncrieff, Lady Augusta Bracknell, Gwendolen Fairfax, Cecily Cardew, Rev. Chasuble and Miss Prism. These characters represent the social class system during the Victorian age.

∆ Character Map :

∆ Character sketch of Cecily Cardew :

    Cecily is the granddaughter of Thomas Cardew, who adopted Jack. She is quite sheltered, having spent her life in the country rather than in the city. She is described as less sophisticated than Gwendolen. She has a normal life with desires to get married and have children with a man of her dreams. Like Gwendolen, her primary desire is to marry a man whose name is Ernest.

   Her helping nature is also seen from the fact that she wanted to meet Uncle Jack’s brother, Ernest and cure him of his wickedness. She believed that it would help the brothers to understand each other in a better way, which would bring them emotionally closer. Therefore, when Algernon introduces himself as Ernest Worthing, she happily welcomes him. Even she notes down his words of admiration in her diary. She also tells him that she was so much fascinated by his name Ernest that she has imagined they are already engaged to each other, even before they met. Like Gwendolen, Cecily too would marry the man whose name is Earnest.

    Cecily is a friendly person, who was always ready to welcome her guests. It is seen when Gwendolen comes there in order to meet Jack. Cecily very cordially welcomes Gwendolen and makes her feel comfortable in her new surroundings. But when she suspects that Gwendolen has come there to meet Ernest, her own fiancee, she expresses her womanly attitude towards her. However, after her doubt gets cleared, she readily unites with Gwendolen as if they are sisters. Thus, Cecily’s is a lovable character in ‘The Importance of Being Ernest’.

Thank you...