Abstract：Oscar Wilde is regarded as a great contributor to the revival of British drama as well as a core leader of British aestheticism in the 19th century. In his short life, he produced abundant masterpieces not only as a playwright, but also as a novelist, essayist and poet. In response to the Feminist Movement, he created numerous colorful and charismatic female characters with strong personalities in his dramas to express his advocacy and support for the Movement. The Importance of Being Earnest is the last but also the most prestigious comedy by Oscar Wilde. This paper takes the vivid female characters in The Importance of Being Earnest as an example to show Wilde’s progressive views of women and the image of “new women” in the Victorian age. And through the comparison between the compromise of the stereotypical Victorian women and the rebellion of “new women”, the paper attempts to explore the profound significance of the era and the great importance to modern society. 

Key words: Oscar Wilde; The Importance of Being Earnest ; Victorian Age; new women

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1.Introduction-1

2. Previous Studies on The Importance of Being Earnest-2

2.1 Previous Studies abroad-2

2.2 Previous Studies at Home-4

2.3 Deficiencies of Previous Studies-5

3. Theoretical Foundation: Feminism-6

3.1 Feminist Movement-6

3.2 Feminist Criticism-7

4. Compromise of Stereotypical Victorian Women-8

4.1 Compromise in Education-8

4.2 Compromise in Marriage-10

4.3 Compromise in Social Character-11

5. Rebellion of New Women in The Importance of Being Earnest-12

5.1 Rebellion against Patriarchy-13

5.2 Rebellion against Arranged Marriage-16

5.3 Rebellion against Convention-18

6. Conclusion-20

References-22