Importance Of Social Class During The Victorian Era

Sara Elmi Professor Deanne Williams EN 2140 Drama 28 Feb 2015 The Importance of Social Class in the Victorian Era Social class before the twenty-first century may seem appealing to modern day audiences quite contrasting than it would to the people of the Victorian era. The Mikado by Arthur Sullivan and W.S Gilbert and The importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde are plays that demonstrate the dramatization of social class in the Victorian era. Although, both plays occur in different settings they display similar markers of social class such love between members of different social classes, deception to flee from socially driven problems and the highly apparent gender inequality. The Mikado, examines the issue of class in Japan. Nanki-Poo, the son of the emperor escaped from his family to marry his lover; Yum-Yum. Yum-Yum, a small town school girl, is engaged to be married to her guardian; Ko-Ko† a cheap tailor† (1.1.78). Upon discovering Yum-Yum’s engagement, Nanki-Poo saw that his â€Å"suit was hopeless† (1.1.79), he had departed Titipu but had returned a couple of months later because of the rumours that had been swirling around the region that Ko-Ko had been condemned and sentenced to death for flirting. When Pooh-Bah informs Nanki-Poo that Ko-Ko had been exempted and that he was in actuality promoted as The Lord High Executioner he is bewildered â€Å"Ko-Ko the cheap tailor, Lord High Executioner of Titipu! Why that’s the highest rank a citizen can attain!†Show MoreRelatedThe Importance Of Being Earnest, By Oscar Wilde1515 Words   |  7 Pagesstarted being made by machines in large factories, rather than by hand. These type of changes were not the only ones happening during this time, as the Industrial Revolution also sparked many economic, political, and cultural changes. Through the Revolution, the Victorian Era emerged--a time focused on family values, religious beliefs, and ge nder roles. 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