An in-depth analysis of Act 1 Scene 1:

(A conversation between Lady Bracknell and Jack after Jack’s proposal to Gwendolen)

Before the conversation has started the reader already knows that there is a clear difference in status between Lady Bracknell and Jack, Lady Bracknell being of a much higher status. Compared to the conversation between Jack and Algernon earlier, on the topic of marrying Gwendolen, the undertone of that conversation was less serious. However, the manner of this conversation has a more official, more formal feel to it. This can be established through the topic at hand; Gwendolen being Lady Bracknell’s daughter means that the subject is a very important one. The reader is aware of the topic through the use of the lexis: “not down on my list of eligible young men”. Lady Bracknell clearly takes the idea of finding a suitable partner for her daughter to be an important one. Although there is turn taking going on, it is more of a question- answer session between Lady Bracknell and Jack. In this case, Jack being the one having to answer a number of questions being fired at him. This suggests that the rhythm of the conversation is moving quite rapidly.

The majority of the time that Lady Bracknell finishes a line of speech, she ends it with a question directed to Jack, which he is to answer, without being disrespectful. This once again reflects both the status and the roles within the conversation. The way in which Lady Bracknell is delivering questions to Jack suggests that she is of a much higher status. The conversation between Jack and Algernon earlier showed that Algernon was of a higher status, relative to the conversation, whereas usually they are of equal statuses. However in this conversation there is a clear difference between statuses regardless of the topic of discussion. The fact that it is of a delicate and very important subject just emphasises the difference in status.

 Throughout the conversation, Lady Bracknell comes across as quite judgemental on certain topics such as the way in which a man should present himself and the age at which is right for a gentleman to get married. This might be inferred as her being quite opinionated, this might be justified because she comes from a well respected background. She also seems to be well connected as she knows a lot of people; she is well respected by the general public. The idea that she might not know someone might mean that they are inferior to her:”Lady Bloxham? I don’t know her” and “nowadays that is no guarantee of respectability of character.” She clearly sees herself as someone who has the right to judge people and it comes off slightly egotistical.  

The order in which Lady Bracknell directs her questions shows a lot about her character. It is common to ask the most important matters in your opinion first. In the case of Lady Bracknell however, her first few questions are related to money and personal details about Jack. She is someone who cares deeply about her reputation and does not want it to be tarnished. One of the last questions she asks: “Now to minor matters. Are your parents still living?” establishes a lot about her character. Usually to someone, a question related to family and death is an important matter, to Lady Bracknell it seems to be an insignificant detail. This shows that she is a cold, stern and heartless person. Her response to when Jack tells her that they have both passed away reiterate how judgemental she is: “to lose both looks like carelessness”. Although the conversation has taken a serious turn, she seems to be unabashed in her retort.

This relatively short conversation has presented a lot about Lady Bracknell’s character. It has once again shown the differences in status and at the same time has also shown that the topic at hand is a very important factor on the outcome of the conversation.