The characters' views of marriage are both a source of laughter and an issue for serious discussion. Jack, Algernon, Gwendolen and Lady Bracknell are all from the upper class. Besides the aristocrats, there is Lane as a servant in this play. The play is a comedy of manners.
Plays are to be performed.
In Cecily's conversation with Algernon that follows, we see more of the things Cecily hates or values. Consider Jack's calling Mr. Prism his mother, and the declaration of love of the three couples. The subtitle of the play is A Trivial Comedy for Serious People . It is written by a butterfly for butterflies. The characters in the play are paired.