Part 1: A Comedy of Manners: The Importance of Being Earnest Quiz 100%!!!

Which of these are features of a comedy of manners? Check all that apply. witty wordplay scientific explanations concern with appearances differences between social classes differences between country and city life

1,3,4,5

Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest. Algernon. [Languidly.] I don't know that I am much interested in your family life, Lane. Lane. No, sir; it is not a very interesting subject. I never think of it myself. Algernon. Very natural, I am sure. That will do, Lane, thank you. Lane. Thank you, sir. [Lane goes out.] Algernon. Lane's views on marriage seem somewhat lax. Really, if the lower orders don't set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them? They seem, as a class, to have absolutely no sense of moral responsibility. How does Wilde use this conversation to poke fun at the class divisions of his day? Algernon holds his servant to an unreasonable standard because he expects the lower classes to be good examples for the upper class. Algernon excuses his servant after Lane provides refreshments, and the two men chat about marriage and family life. Lane defends marriage while Algernon jokes about it. Lane lectures Algernon about his disrespectful attitude.

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

Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest. Algernon. [Languidly.] I don't know that I am much interested in your family life, Lane. Lane. No, sir; it is not a very interesting subject. I never think of it myself. Algernon. Very natural, I am sure. That will do, Lane, thank you. Lane. Thank you, sir. [Lane goes out.] This excerpt best illustrates which feature of a comedy of manners? an example of class differences a comparison of country and city life a commentary on marriage an illustration of clever wordplay

A. an example of class differences

Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest. Lady Bracknell. Well, I must say, Algernon, that I think it is high time that Mr. Bunbury made up his mind whether he was going to live or to die. This shilly-shallying with the question is absurd. . . . I should be much obliged if you would ask Mr. Bunbury, from me, to be kind enough not to have a relapse on Saturday, for I rely on you to arrange my music for me. It is my last reception, and one wants something that will encourage conversation, particularly at the end of the season when every one has practically said whatever they had to say, which, in most cases, was probably not much. What aspect of Lady Bracknell's behavior does Wilde use to poke fun at the importance placed on frivolous events in formal society? her concern with a party instead of Mr. Bunbury's health her interest in playing classical music at her reception her jealousy over Algernon's friendship with the sickly Mr. Bunbury her concern about the health of Algernon's friend

A. her concern with a party instead of Mr. Bunbury's health

Which line from The Importance of Being Earnest is an example of a commentary on marriage? "I don't play accurately—any one can play accurately—but I play with wonderful expression." "The very essence of romance is uncertainty. If ever I get married, I'll certainly try to forget the fact." "The bread and butter is for Gwendolen. Gwendolen is devoted to bread and butter." "It is a very ungentlemanly thing to read a private cigarette case."

B. "The very essence of romance is uncertainty. If ever I get married, I'll certainly try to forget the fact."

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. What does Wilde's use of humor critique in this excerpt? marriage education tradition government

B. education

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. How is humor used to critique the double standard of manners in society? Jack attempts to take a sandwich. Jack makes Algernon angry by eating bread and butter. Algernon scolds Jack for eating sandwiches while eating them himself, satisfying his own needs. Algernon offers Jack Gwendolen's bread and butter because he knows that Jack loves Gwendolen.

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

The tone of Oscar Wilde's critique in The Importance of Being Earnest is aggressive. serious. humorous. angry.

C. humerous

Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest. Lady Bracknell. Pardon me, you are not engaged to any one. When you do become engaged to some one, I, or your father, should his health permit him, will inform you of the fact. An engagement should come on a young girl as a surprise, pleasant or unpleasant, as the case may be. It is hardly a matter that she could be allowed to arrange for herself . . . Wilde uses Lady Bracknell's words to poke fun at marriage by having her speak unhappily of her own marriage. speak lovingly of her own husband. imply that young women do not have a choice in their own marriages. imply that marriages are happiest when based on romantic love.

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

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. Which line from The Importance of Being Earnest best makes this point? "From little Cecily, with her fondest love to her dear Uncle Jack." "There is no objection, I admit, to an aunt being a small aunt . . ." "You are the most earnest-looking person I ever saw in my life." "Well, my name is Ernest in town and Jack in the country . . ."

D. "Well, my name is Ernest in town and Jack in the country . . ."

Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest. Jack. [Irritably.] Oh! It always is nearly seven. Algernon. Well, I'm hungry. Jack. I never knew you when you weren't . . . Algernon. What shall we do after dinner? Go to a theatre? Jack. Oh, no! I loathe listening. Algernon. Well, let us go to the Club? Jack. Oh, no! I hate talking. Algernon. Well, we might trot round to the Empire at ten? Jack. Oh, no! I can't bear looking at things. It is so silly. Algernon. Well, what shall we do? Jack. Nothing! Algernon. It is awfully hard work doing nothing. However, I don't mind hard work where there is no definite object of any kind. Which is an example of how Wilde pokes fun at the upper-class lifestyle? Jack has trouble listening and speaking. Jack rejects all of Algernon's suggestions. Algernon states that he is hungry once again. Algernon says it is hard work to live in this leisurely manner.

D. Algernon says it is hard work to live in this leisurely manner.

Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest. Jack. Gwendolen, will you marry me? [Goes on his knees.] Gwendolen. Of course I will, darling. How long you have been about it! I am afraid you have had very little experience in how to propose. Jack. My own one, I have never loved any one in the world but you. Gwendolen. Yes, but men often propose for practice. I know my brother Gerald does. All my girl-friends tell me so. How does this dialogue poke fun at a society that takes marriage too lightly? Jack is joking about his marriage proposal. Jack tells Gwendolen that he loves no one else. Gwendolen is happy that Jack has finally asked her to marry him. Gwendolen says that her brother proposes to all her friends.

D. Gwendolen says that her brother proposes to all her friends.