Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest. Algernon. [Languidly.] I don’t know that I am much interested in
your family life, Lane. Lane. No, sir; it is not a very interesting subject. I never think of it myself. Algernon. Very natural, I am sure. That will do, Lane, thank you. Lane. Thank you, sir. [Lane goes out.] Algernon. Lane’s views on marriage seem somewhat lax. Really, if the lower orders don’t set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them? They seem, as a class, to have absolutely no sense of moral responsibility. How does Wilde use this conversation to poke fun at the class divisions of his day? Algernon holds his servant to an unreasonable standard because he expects the lower classes to be good examples for the upper class. Algernon excuses his servant after Lane provides refreshments, and the two men chat about marriage and family life. Lane defends marriage while Algernon jokes about it. Lane lectures Algernon about his disrespectful attitude.
Algernon holds his servant to an unreasonable standard because he expects the lower classes to be good examples for the upper class.
In the excerpt Algernon says, "if the lower orders don't set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them? They seem as a class, to have absolutely no sense of moral responsibility." In the quote, Algernon shows that he is expecting Lane, who is of a lower class, to show him how he is supposed to live. He is clearly stating that the lower class should have a high set of morals to which the upper class can use as an example of how to live.
