Symbolism in Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest

Though categorized as a Comedy of Manners, Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being earnest is nonetheless enriched with insinuated Symbolism. This research traces the Symbolic manifestations in the play’s language, setting, symbolic motifs, and in its symbols as such. The analysis finds that the subtlety with which these manifestations are handled checks them from hindering the humor of the comedy in any way, rather, they endow it with an intelligent enhancement and render the social criticism more acute.