Read the passage from The Importance of Being Earnest . Gwendolen: Let us preserve a dignified silence. Cecily: Certainly. It’s the only thing to do now. [Enter Jack followed by Algernon . They whistle some dreadful popular air from a British Opera.] Gwendolen: This dignified silence seems to produce an unpleasant effect. Cecily: A most distasteful one. Gwendolen: But we will not be the first to speak. Cecily: Certainly not. Gwendolen: Mr. Worthing, I have something very particular to ask you. Much depends on your reply. Wilde uses the exchange between Gwendolen and Cecily to
Read the passage from an essay on The Importance of Being Earnest . Chasuble: . . . Your brother was, I believe, unmarried, was he not? Jack: Oh yes. Miss Prism: [Bitterly.] People who live entirely for pleasure usually are. How is the passage an example of Wilde achieving his overall purpose in writing the play?
Read the passage from The Importance of Being Earnest. Gwendolen: [To Jack.] Darling! Algernon: [To Cecily.] Darling! [They fall into each other's arms.] [Enter Merriman. When he enters he coughs loudly, seeing the situation.] Merriman: Ahem! Ahem! Lady Bracknell! Jack: Good heavens! [Enter Lady Bracknell. The couples separate in alarm. Exit Merriman.] Lady Bracknell: Gwendolen! What does this mean? In contrast to reading the scene, seeing the staged version of the scene would improve its aesthetic impact by allowing the audience to
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