Feleisha Antillon
Mr. Gowans
Language Arts 12
15 April, 2013
“Seriousness”&”Earnestness”
In all reality there comes a point in time where “seriousness” is completely necessary, like your job for instance. When your boss is carrying 6 hot plates, to a table and slips on the freshly mopped floor, you should not laugh, seriousness is completely necessary. Seriousness means no funny business, and NO jokes, seriousness means being stern, thoughtful, and having importance, as defined in Marriam-Webster Dictionary.
Even though the thought of unfaithfulness is no laughing matter, in the book, The Importance of Being Earnest, two characters face a serious situation that is funny to the readers, but not so funny to the characters in the book, Gwendolen and Cecily. “...Of course you are quite, quite sure that it is not Mr. Earnest Worthing who is your guardian...Cecily: Quite sure. (A pause). In fact I am going to be his...Gwendolen: I beg your pardon” (Wilde 72)? Gwendolen and Cecily are thinking they are getting played by their dearest Earnest, and begin to get jealous of each other, and start to bicker a little bit. They both get defensive and very serious. Little do they know there is no Earnest! All the tension and all the seriousness between the girls is going on for nothing. Even though we see it as funny from our point of view, Gwendolen and Cecily are in distress.
The Importance of Being Earnest also has earnestness throughout the book. Earnestness is very similar to seriousness. Earnestness defined in Collins English Dictionary states, honesty, serious intention, purpose, or effort. While seriousness is showing or acting with deep thought. When Algernon is faced with Cecily only wanting to marry somebody with the name of Earnest, he is put in a tough spot. He has to decide whether he will just go with the flow or come out and tell her that he isn’t really Earnest. This is also extremely funny for the readers, but stressful and a very serious for the characters that are actually faced with in reality. “Gwendolen:...The gentleman who is now embracing you is my cousin, Mr. Algernon Moncrieff”(Wilde 76). After his name is revealed and the truth comes out, it is up to Algernon to be earnest and confess the truths.
Being earnest and knowing when to be serious are two major important traits to have. Earnestness is an admirable trait because there are certain times where being serious, mature, and honest are important. Talking to an intelligent person that makes an effort to keep conversation makes that person much more likeable and interesting. Without earnestness, people have no drive to go far in life, and make little, to no effort at all to achieve goals. Even though having earnestness is great, it may not always be necessary. Yes always make an effort, and yes always be honest, but have some fun, live and learn. Just because you are having a good time doesn’t mean you aren't still being an earnest person.
Works Cited
"SeriousAbout Our Definitions: All Forms of a Word (noun, Verb, Etc.) Are Now Displayed on One Page." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2013.
"earnest." Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins publishers. 15 Apr. 2013.
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