"The Importance of Being Earnest," a play by Oscar Wilde, gives an interesting look into each of the social classes existent in late Victorian England. As the play follows Ernest Worthing, the main character, through his dilemmas concerning his love for the wealthy Gwendolen, his lack of knowledge concerning his parentage and his overall lack of knowledge concerning his own identity, we see the many classes that he encounters throughout and are given a good interpretation of each. Each character is clearly included in Wilde's masterpiece to represent a different class: both butlers, Lane and Merriman, although small characters, are seen to represent the realities of the lower class; characters Ernest and Algernon are those that represent the middle class; and characters Lady Bracknell, Cecily and Gwendolen act as the highest class or the nobles. As we can see, Wilde recognizes and separates each class. Wilde satirizes each social class' attitudes and realities by using his own satire and wit. Their dialogue or their actions help convey their stereotypical views on death, on marriage and on the other social classes as well.

             The play opens with a conversation between character Algernon and his butler, Lane. Algernon and Lane are seen to be discussing the institution of marriage:.

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             Lane:.in married households the champagne is rarely of first-rate brand.

             Algernon:Good Heavens! Is marriage as demoralizing as that?.

             Lane: I believe it is a very pleasant state, sir. I have had very little experience of it myself up to the present I have only been married once. That was in consequence of a misunderstanding between myself and a young person.

             Algernon: I don't know that I am much interested in your family life, Lane.

             Lane: No, sir; it is not very interesting subject. I never think of it myself.

             . Algernon: Lane's views on marriage seem somewhat lax. Really if the lower orders don't set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them?.