Question

Oscar Wilde was famous for his development of the dandy as a stock character. Explain why Algernon fits the mold of being a dandy.

Answer 1

Algernon fits the mold of a dandy in several ways.

Algernon is educated, just like a dandy. Furthermore, Algernon is a good dresser and pays careful attention to his clothing, just like a dandy. He is vain, and his entire appearance (not just his clothing) is very important to Algernon, just like to all dandies. Finally, dandies avoid traditional male behavior and responsibility. Algernon fits this as well, as he seeks to avoid responsibility however he can.

Answer 2

A dandy is an overdressed, trivial, and ineffectual man who is most interested in other people's perceptions. In the play The Importance of Being Earnest, Wilde portrays his character Algernon as a dandy. Algernon is shown to be almost obsessed with his appearance. For example, he wants his neckties and buttonholes always to be prim and proper. Although Algernon is also charming, witty, and smart, he does not seem to recognize any moral duty or responsibility.