Part 1: A Comedy of Manners: The Importance of Being Earnest

Question 1

Jack.

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Algernon pokes fun at the fact that marriage in his society often is based on social rules, not romance.

Question 2

Jack.

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Gwendolen says that her brother proposes to all her friends.

Question 3

The tone of Oscar Wilde’s critique in The Importance of Being Earnest is

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humorous.

Question 4

Read this sentence from a report on Oscar Wilde.Oscar Wilde’s humor points out that many people are not who they appear to be, which is a critique on the emphasis placed on appearance in society.

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“Well, my name is Ernest in town and Jack in the country . . .”

Question 5

Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest.[Lady Bracknell.] I have always been of opinion that a man who desires to get married should know either everything or nothing. Which do you know?Jack. [After some hesitation.] I know nothing, Lady Bracknell.Lady Bracknell. I am pleased to hear it. I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone. The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

education

Question 6

Lady Bracknell.

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imply that young women do not have a choice in their own marriages.

Question 7

Algernon.

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Algernon holds his servant to an unreasonable standard because he expects the lower classes to be good examples for the upper class.

Question 8

Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest.Jack. Oh, Gwendolen is as right as a trivet. As far as she is concerned, we are engaged. Her mother is perfectly unbearable. Never met such a Gorgon . . . I don’t really know what a Gorgon is like, but I am quite sure that Lady Bracknell is one. In any case, she is a monster, without being a myth, which is rather unfair . . . I beg your pardon, Algy, I suppose I shouldn’t talk about your own aunt in that way before you.Algernon. My dear boy, I love hearing my relations abused. It is the only thing that makes me put up with them at all. Relations are simply a tedious pack of people, who haven’t got the remotest knowledge of how to live, nor the smallest instinct about when to die.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

In traditional society, Algernon would be expected to defend his aunt. Instead, he speaks freely about his feelings toward family.

Question 9

Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest.[Algernon.] [Jack puts out his hand to take a sandwich. Algernon at once interferes.] Please don’t touch the cucumber sandwiches. They are ordered specially for Aunt Augusta. [Takes one and eats it.]Jack. Well, you have been eating them all the time.Algernon. That is quite a different matter. She is my aunt. [Takes plate from below.] Have some bread and butter. The bread and butter is for Gwendolen. Gwendolen is devoted to bread and butter.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Algernon scolds Jack for eating sandwiches while eating them himself, satisfying his own needs.

Part 1: A Comedy of Manners: The Importance of Being Earnest Answers

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