Jack and Algernon are similar in that neither seems to take morality very seriously. To be more specific, high Victorian moral standards haven't caused them to try to be better people; instead, it prompts each of them to lie. Jack invents a fake brother, Ernest, who is a person of low morals: he drinks, gambles, and fails to pay his bills. When Jack goes to London, he is Ernest, and—in this way—he can do all the socially unacceptable things he wants to do without tainting his own reputation. When Jack is in the country, he is himself, feigning disgust at his brother's continued dissolute life.
Similarly, Algernon invents a Mr. Bunbury. Bunbury is his poor, invalid friend who gets him out of uncomfortable social occasions, such as dinners at his Aunt Augusta's house, by having relapses of sickness at ideal moments. Such relapses require Algernon to skip other obligations and go to be with Bunbury in his final hours. In this way, Algernon can do whatever he wants, and it looks like he's just a really caring friend.
Both Jack and Algernon would rather tell lies in order to maintain the appearance of good morals rather than actually adopt good morals.
No comments:
Post a Comment