Part 1: A Comedy of Manners: The Importance of Being Earnest
Question 5 of 17 • Common Core ELA 12 - ELA3012 B-IC
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.
Answer
A
In traditional society, Algernon would be expected to defend his aunt. Instead, he speaks freely about his feelings toward family.
B
In traditional society, Algernon would be expected to speak kindly to Jack. Instead, he is harsh in his response.
C
Algernon rises to his aunt’s defense when Jack becomes critical of her personality.
D
Algernon explains that his aunt is difficult, but that Gwendolen is a favorite cousin.