Part 3: Characterization in The Importance of Being Earnest — Quiz Answers

Read the excerpt from Act III of The Importance of Being Earnest. Jack: Pray excuse me, Lady Bracknell, for interrupting you again, but it is only fair to tell you that according to the terms of her grandfather’s will Miss Cardew does not come legally of age till she is thirty-five.

Read the excerpt from Act III of The Importance of Being Earnest. Lady Bracknell: Ah! A life crowded with incident, I see; though perhaps somewhat too exciting for a young girl. I am not myself in favour of premature experiences. [Rises, looks at her watch.] Gwendolen! the time approaches for our departure. We have not a moment to lose. As a matter of form, Mr. Worthing, I had better ask you if Miss Cardew has any little fortune? Jack: Oh! about a hundred and thirty thousand pounds in the Funds. That is all. Goodbye, Lady Bracknell. So pleased to have seen you. Lady Bracknell: [Sitting down again.] A moment, Mr. Worthing. A hundred and thirty thousand pounds! And in the Funds! Miss Cardew seems to me a most attractive young lady, now that I look at her.

Read the excerpt from Act III of The Importance of Being Earnest. Jack: [In a pathetic voice.] Miss Prism, more is restored to you than this hand-bag. I was the baby you placed in it. Miss Prism: [Amazed.] You? Jack: [Embracing her.] Yes . . . mother! Miss Prism: [Recoiling in indignant astonishment.] Mr. Worthing! I am unmarried! What do you learn about Miss Prism from this excerpt?

Read the excerpt from Act III of The Importance of Being Earnest . Jack: [In a clear, cold voice.] Miss Cardew is the grand-daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Cardew of 149 Belgrave Square, S.W.; Gervase Park, Dorking, Surrey; and the Sporran, Fifeshire, N.B. Lady Bracknell: That sounds not unsatisfactory. Three addresses always inspire confidence, even in tradesmen. But what proof have I of their authenticity? Jack: I have carefully preserved the Court Guides of the period. They are open to your inspection, Lady Bracknell. Lady Bracknell: [Grimly.] I have known strange errors in that publication. Jack: Miss Cardew’s family solicitors are Messrs. Markby, Markby, and Markby. Lady Bracknell: Markby, Markby, and Markby? A firm of the very highest position in their profession. Indeed I am told that one of the Mr. Markby’s is occasionally to be seen at dinner parties. So far I am satisfied. Jack: [Very irritably.] How extremely kind of you, Lady Bracknell! I have also in my possession, you will be pleased to hear, certificates of Miss Cardew’s birth, baptism, whooping cough, registration, vaccination, confirmation, and the measles; both the German and the English variety. Which are the most accurate conclusions that can be drawn about Jack, given this dialogue and his reactions to Lady Bracknell? Choose three correct answers.

Read the excerpt from Act III of The Importance of Being Earnest. Lady Bracknell: There are distinct social possibilities in Miss Cardew’s profile. Algernon: Cecily is the sweetest, dearest, prettiest girl in the whole world. And I don’t care twopence about social possibilities. What does this passage convey about Algernon’s values?

Read the excerpt from Act III of The Importance of Being Earnest . Jack: [In a clear, cold voice.] Miss Cardew is the grand-daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Cardew of 149 Belgrave Square, S.W.; Gervase Park, Dorking, Surrey; and the Sporran, Fifeshire, N.B. Lady Bracknell: That sounds not unsatisfactory. Three addresses always inspire confidence, even in tradesmen. But what proof have I of their authenticity? Jack: I have carefully preserved the Court Guides of the period. They are open to your inspection, Lady Bracknell. Lady Bracknell: [Grimly.] I have known strange errors in that publication. Jack: Miss Cardew’s family solicitors are Messrs. Markby, Markby, and Markby. Lady Bracknell: Markby, Markby, and Markby? A firm of the very highest position in their profession. Indeed I am told that one of the Mr. Markby’s is occasionally to be seen at dinner parties. So far I am satisfied. What does this excerpt most clearly convey about Lady Bracknell?

Read the excerpt from Act III of The Importance of Being Earnest. Lady Bracknell: [Sitting down again.] A moment, Mr. Worthing. A hundred and thirty thousand pounds! And in the Funds! Miss Cardew seems to me a most attractive young lady, now that I look at her. Few girls of the present day have any really solid qualities, any of the qualities that last, and improve with time. We live, I regret to say, in an age of surfaces. [To Cecily. ] Come over here, dear. [ Cecily goes across.] Pretty child! your dress is sadly simple, and your hair seems almost as Nature might have left it. But we can soon alter all that. A thoroughly experienced French maid produces a really marvellous result in a very brief space of time. I remember recommending one to young Lady Lancing, and after three months her own husband did not know her. Based on this passage, Lady Bracknell most clearly places value on the importance of

Read the excerpt from Act III of The Importance of Being Earnest . Jack: [In a pathetic voice.] Miss Prism, more is restored to you than this hand-bag. I was the baby you placed in it. Miss Prism: [Amazed.] You? Jack: [Embracing her.] Yes . . . mother! Miss Prism: [Recoiling in indignant astonishment.] Mr. Worthing! I am unmarried! Jack: Unmarried! I do not deny that is a serious blow. But after all, who has the right to cast a stone against one who has suffered? Cannot repentance wipe out an act of folly? Why should there be one law for men, and another for women? Mother, I forgive you. [Tries to embrace her again.] What is the best conclusion that can be drawn about Jack, based on his words and actions in this excerpt?

Read the excerpt from Act III of The Importance of Being Earnest. Jack: I fear there can be no possible doubt about the matter. This afternoon during my temporary absence in London on an important question of romance, he obtained admission to my house by means of the false pretence of being my brother. Under an assumed name he drank, I’ve just been informed by my butler, an entire pint bottle of my Perrier-Jouet, Brut, ’89; wine I was specially reserving for myself. Continuing his disgraceful deception, he succeeded in the course of the afternoon in alienating the affections of my only ward. What is the most accurate conclusion that can be drawn about Algernon based on Jack’s words?

Read the excerpt from Act III of The Importance of Being Earnest. Gwendolen: True! I had forgotten. There are principles at stake that one cannot surrender. Which of us should tell them? The task is not a pleasant one. Cecily: Could we not both speak at the same time? Gwendolen: An excellent idea! I nearly always speak at the same time as other people. Will you take the time from me? Cecily: Certainly. [ Gwendolen beats time with uplifted finger.] Gwendolen and Cecily: [Speaking together.] Your Christian names are still an insuperable barrier. That is all! Which trait is most shown by both Cecily and Gwendolen in this excerpt?