A Study Guide for The Importance of Being Earnest: Plays in ContextThis study guide aims to support the reader in extended study of the play 'The Importance of Being Earnest'. Throughout the guide, the reader is presented with various critical approaches to enable the exploration of style, structure, dramatic presentation and themes within the work. It provides careful support and a framework for reflection which challenges readers to establish their own interpretations and inform wider reading. Additional sections provide exploration of the writer's life and work and an outline of major critical views places the text within the wider contexts of reception and production.The guide is presented in four parts: -Part One, Contexts of Production, considers the writer's life and times, with a focus on significant historical, social and literary contexts.-Part Two introduces some critical approaches, including exploration of; dramatic presentation, characterisation, structure, key themes and relevant critical ideas.-Part Three provides detailed commentary and analysis of each act of the play, with relevant background information and reading tasks to enhance understanding.-Part Four, Contexts of Reception, examines how the text was initially received, as well as providing a critical overview of a range of interpretations and approaches. Topics covered include: Textual analysis; the life of Oscar Wilde; Aspects of Comedy; Victorian Britain; the Wildean Dandy; Critical contexts, including postmodern and postcolonial approaches to the text.