Although this play was written years ago, there are many similarities that are seen between then and now - specifically similarities between the roles that males/females had during this time. In The Importance of Being Ernest, the relationships between Jack and Lady Bracknell were quite interesting. As the mother of the woman Jack hoped to marry, Lady Bracknell had an extremely strong role in much of the play. Her ability to make Jack feel flustered and nervous can be compared to any mother figure in today’s day. It was interesting, however because most times this role is played by a male father figure. Often times in today’s society we see the father being very overprotective of his daughter, trying to find a suitor who is the perfect match. The fact that Wilde put Lady Bracknell in this spot highlights his desire to defy the gender roles that were extremely apparent in the Victorian Era. When we take a look at the culture at this university and around the United States today, it is accurate to say that a lot has changed from the time this play was written. People however, are still being labeled and stereotyped based on their gender which is similar to how it was in the Victorian Era and highlights something Wilde was determined to change. When we look at the roles of Gwendolyn and Cecily – they are portrayed as being flamboyant yet beautiful women who have no desire but to get married and find love. In today’s age, we often see women stereotyped in events such as these, but women are being more and more independent – movies, TV shows, even books portray women as being stay at home mothers. Neither the play nor the events that take place in today’s age, show the drive that young women have to be successful at a professional or even personal level.