Double Lives in Victorian Literature Essay -- Literary Analysis

The existence of a dark double abounds in many literary works of the Victorian Era. These dark doubles are satisfactory to explore the forbidden and repressed desires of the protagonist, and often represent the authors own rebellion against inhibitions in a morally straight-laced societal climate. The dark doubles in these stories are satisfactory to explore the socially unacceptable side of human nature, and it is by dint of 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 deviant behavior. The accepted normal behavior that strict Victorian social protocol demanded could be cast aside by these dark doubles and the immoral desires of the human heart could be explored in the safety of ones sitting room.In Oscar Wildes play, The Importance of macrocosm Ernest, we see a satirical prodding of thehypocrisy associated within the strict moral code of English genteel society. The plays protagonist, Jack, creates his own dark double, his hypothetic carefree, immoral, and decadent brother, Ernest. It is through his own creation of Ernest that Jack is able to lead his entertaining double life. Whileportraying himself as Ernest, we see Jack accompany all of the things that he is incapable 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 recreate one anywhere? (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 hidden truths within their characters personalities, and possibly themselves. By giving their characters the masks of these dark doubles, they were able to account 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.