Romanticism and Nineteenth Century Literature in England — Test
Question 10 • English IV
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
Answer
A
view it being told in the past tense, thereby adding excitement.
B
watch the actors' reactions, thereby adding to the humor.
C
witness different characters, thereby adding more tension.
D
see a single narrator, thereby adding to the drama.
Explanation
A staged performance lets the audience see how the actors react to the sudden interruptions and the couples being discovered. Their startled expressions, gestures, and timing can make the awkward situation funnier, so the best choice is “watch the actors’ reactions, thereby adding to the humor.”
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