Double Lives in Victorian Literature Essay -- Literary Analysis

The reality of a dark double abounds in many literary working of the Victorian Era. These dark doubles are up to(p) to explore the forbid and repressed desires of the protagonist, and often represent the authors profess rebellion against inhibitions in a morally straight-laced societal climate. The dark doubles in these stories are fit to explore the socially unacceptable side of human nature, and it is by these dark doubles that many of the main characters (and through them, the reader), are able to vicariously explore and experience the illicit, forbidden, and often exciting underbelly of what was considered pervert behavior. The accepted normal behavior that strict Victorian social communications protocol demanded could be cast aside by these dark doubles and the fast desires of the human heart could be explored in the safety of mavins sitting room.In Oscar Wildes play, The Importance of be Ernest, we see a satirical prodding of the guile associated within the strict m oral code of English genteel society. The plays protagonist, Jack, creates his own dark double, his supposed carefree, immoral, and decadent brother, Ernest. It is through his own man of Ernest that Jack is able to lead his entertaining double life. bandage characterisation himself as Ernest, we see Jack pursue all of the things that he is unequal to(p) of exploring in hisown stuffy Victorian world as Jack. While explaining his presence in town to Algy, Ernest states, Oh, pleasure, pleasure What else should bring one anyplace? (690). Ernest goes on to explain to Algywhat occupies his time this way, When one is in town one amuses oneself. When one is in the country one amuses other p... ...clear through the literature of the time, that individualswere beginning to question the necessity, both morally and socially, of either living a double life or having to repress their desire to do so. It is through these dark doubles that many authors were able to explore and expose the u nsung truths within their characters personalities, and possibly themselves. By giving their characters the masks of these dark doubles, they were able to tale the truth. Works CitedKipling, Rudyard. The Mark of the Beast. The Broadview Anthology of British Literature. Peterborough, Ont. Broadview, 2006. Print. Stevenson, Robert Louis. New York Simon & Brown, 2010. Print. Wilde, Oscar. The Importance of Being Ernest. The Broadview Anthology of British Literature. Peterborough, Ont. Broadview, 2006. Print.