QALiterature › George Bernard Shaw criticized The Importance of Being Earnest for:
Q

George Bernard Shaw criticized The Importance of Being Earnest for:

A.) being too long

B.) not being funny

C.) not having real substance

A

Answer: C. Not having real substance.

George Bernard Shaw, a critic of many literary works in the early 19th century, described The Importance of Being Earnest as not having real substance. By this, he meant that although Wilde sought to portray the snobbery that existed among the elites at the time, it bore no apparent connection to present day events (at the time).

He went on to say that he considered it himself having “wasted his evening” after reading the play, and that it was Oscar Wilde’s “first really heartless play”.

While he acknowledged some comic aspects and relatable bits here and there, according to him, the play lacked tangible connections to social and political issues.

Shaw thought the play’s “humanity” was traded for its “sarcasm”.

3 years ago
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