 The genre of the Importance of Being Earnest has been deeply debated by scholars and critics alike who have placed the play within a wide variety of genres ranging from parody to satire . In his critique of Wilde , Foster argues that the play creates a world where “ real values are inverted [ and ] , reason and <unk> are <unk> " . Similarly , Wilde 's use of dialogue mocks the upper classes of Victorian England lending the play a satirical tone . <unk> further <unk> that the use of farcical humour to mock the upper classes " merits the play both as satire and as drama " . 
