In The Importance of Being Serious by Oscar Wilde, satire is used to highlight the triviality and absurdity of certain conventions in within Victorian society. The main characters of the play embody Victorian high society; thus, the criticism that arises from Wilde's exaggeration extends beyond the play itself. Specifically, Wilde exaggerates food consumption, a seemingly normal non-event. However, Wilde presents such a mundane event as an emotionally moving experience. Whenever food is introduced into a scene, a character also experiences an emotion that is unconventional for the time. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay In the 19th century, it was considered impolite for members of higher levels of society to reveal personal, conflicting feelings. In public, any sort of overbearing emotion had to be suppressed in order to maintain proper decorum. In response to these societal rules, Wilde uses the Victorians' exaggeration of their diet to represent the emotions they are incapable of showing. By using food to mask and stifle unpleasant feelings like lust, aggression, and stress, Wilde expresses the Victorian era's aversion to public displays of such emotions. Discussing his feelings of lust and sexual desire defied the doctrinal rules of polite conversation that were of the utmost importance. to Victorian society; Wilde represents these emotions and their repression by disguising them with a big appetite. In the play, there are many barriers between the men and the women they love. Jack, in particular, is madly in love with Gwendolyn and plans to marry her. However, issues such as Gwendolyn's overbearing mother and Jack's alternate identity stand in the way of the couple's union. Without an official marriage, the two are unable to consummate their love, ultimately leaving Jack riddled with sexual desire. Before his proposal to Gwendolyn, Jack confesses his plan to Algernon; one can only imagine the desire Jack feels towards his possible bride. At this point, Jack's relationship with Gwendolyn has not progressed beyond flirtation, leaving him sexually frustrated. As a member of high society, Jack cannot rightly speak to Algernon about his desires, as they would be seen as less than respectable. Instead, Jack directs his frustration toward the food provided and seeks to maintain his appetite. After being refused the cucumber sandwiches, Algernon suggests that Jack eat some of the "bread and butter [that] is for Gwendolyn" (3). Jack then begins to eat voraciously, leading Algernon to comment, "you don't need to eat like you're going to eat everything" (3). Algernon claims that Jack "behaves as if he were already married to [Gwendolyn]", ultimately implying that Jack's voracious consumption of bread reflects a husband's willingness to pursue sexual relations with his wife (3). Thus, Jack's appetite for eating bread and butter is a manifestation of his sexual desire for Gwendolyn; the speed of its consumption correlates with the feelings of lust that arise from the conversation. Wilde further mocks the Victorian convention that forbids upper-class individuals from openly discussing lust by applying this frustration to the simple act of eating. During this period, members of the upper class were expected to maintain a caring attitude in public, despite any angry feelings an individual might have. For ».