The Importance Of Being Earnest Act 2

Why does Algernon (Earnest) claim that he must be back in London on Monday?

Algernon knows that Jack will return. He plans to disappear from Jack's home before Jack returns.

How can Cecily's diary be considered a lighthearted attack on Victorian morality?

Cecily has lived a sheltered life in the country in the company of her "Uncle Jack" and Miss Prism. She is almost the archetype of an unspoiled Victorian lady. Rather than enjoying her morality, however, she leads a scandalous fantasy life, writing her diary almost as if she were a character in a romance novel.

What is Cecily implying in her reason for disliking her German lesson?

Cecily is acknowledging the stereotype of intelligent, educated girls being unattractive

According to Cecily, what plans does Jack have in store for his brother Ernest?

Cecily tells Algernon that Jack plans to send Ernest to Australia or force him to choose between this world and the next.

Why does Algernon decide to get christened?

Cecily tells Algernon that she could not love a man whose name is not Ernest.

Why does Dr. Chasuble accuse the lower classes of not being thrifty?

Dr. Chasuble explains that he has to conduct many christenings a month. He has asked his parishioners many times to be thriftier, meaning that he has urged them not to have too many children that must be christened by him.

Why does Dr. Chasuble explain that he was speaking metaphorically when he said he would "hang upon" Miss Prism's lips?

Dr. Chasuble explains that he would "hang upon" Miss Prism's lips if he were her student, meaning that he would pay close attention to every word she says. Since his expression carries an erotic undertone, he quickly explains that he spoke metaphorically. Dr. Chasuble does not want Miss Prism to think that he has been fantasizing about kissing her.

How does Wilde maintain an atmosphere of light humor in the disagreement between Gwendolen and Cecily?

First, of course, Gwendolen instantly likes Cecily, predicts they will be best friends forever, and claims that her first impressions are never wrong. Now, when both women believe they are engaged to the same man, Gwendolen insists that she disliked Cecily from the very first and that her first impressions are never wrong.

What is the significance of eating ? When else has food figured into the play?

Food is used as the medium through which characters can mask their true feelings (nervous, distress). Act I, Algernon was preparing tea for his aunt; eating the cucumber sandwiches and the bread and butter were mild sources of comedy. Earlier in Act 2, Cecily was serving tea to Gwendolen and, despite her polite façade, insulted her guest by providing exactly the food she did not want.

What does Gwendolen imply about Cecily when she states that their "social spheres have been widely different"?

Gwendolen indicates that she believes Cecily to be beneath her on the social ladder. Although Gwendolen knows that Cecily is also an upper-class lady, she considers her inferior because she is a country girl and not a lady living in the city. Gwendolen considers herself to be superior because she lives in fashionable London and stays up-to-date with all the latest trends.

How does Gwendolen's assessment of her father's status within his family stand in contrast to conventional Victorian notions of gender?

Her assessment of her father's situation stands in stark contrast to conventional Victorian notions of gender: while Victorian society insisted that the male sphere was the public sphere and the female sphere was the domestic sphere, Gwendolen's father is confined to the home and is barely known in public.

What is Jack's motivation for wanting to be christened by Dr. Chasuble?

Jack believes that Gwendolen will only love a man named Ernest. Therefore, he is determined to change his name from Jack to Ernest.

How does Cecily's concept of "memory" differ from Miss Prism's idea of "memory"? What stereotype is Wilde comically reinforcing?

Miss Prism believes that memories are the recollections of events that happen throughout a person's life. Cecily, on the other hand, considers memories to be the fantasies and wishes a person dreams about and hopes to experience one day, no matter how unrealistic these wishes may be. Wilde is reinforcing the stereotype that sensible women , like Miss Prism, are plain and dull and likely to become spinsters. Beautiful girls like Cecily are foolish.

How is Algernon's insistence that his "duty as a gentleman has never interfered with [his] pleasures in the smallest degree" ambiguous?

On the one hand, the statement could indicate that Algernon is a "true" gentleman and that his duty and pleasure are one and the same thing. On the other hand, the audience knows Algernon and knows that he uses deceit to look the proper gentleman while living the pleasurable life he chooses.

At what stereotype about the church is Wilde poking fun in Chasuble's response to the news that Ernest will be buried in Paris?

Rather than speaking from his Christian heart, he delivers a sort of "one- size-fits-all" message.

According to Cecily, why was it necessary for her to break her engagement with Ernest?

She believes marriage doesn't count unless it's broken up once. It is part of the rules of courtship.

What is Miss Prism's attitude toward the practices of the Primitive Church? What does her attitude reveal about her relationship with Dr. Chasuble?

She thinks Priests should be allowed to get married; she has feelings for Chausible

Why does Jack appear at his estate wearing the "garb of woe"?

Since Jack has decided to "kill" Ernest, he arrives at his house prepared to announce that his brother Ernest has unexpectedly died of a "severe chill" while staying in Paris.

What does Miss Prism's reaction to the news of Ernest's death suggest about Victorian morality?

That the Victorian preoccupation with morality may have blinded people to the obvious fact that many misfortunes simply cannot be avoided and used as opportunities for learning.

What is ironic about Miss Prism's expressing concern for Jack and his brother? What kind of irony is this?

The audience already knows that Jack does not have a brother and that he himself moves about in London

How do descriptions of Algernon qualify him as a "dandy" in the tradition of the Aesthetic Movement?

The dandy in the Aesthetic tradition is a man who dresses flamboyantly and pays close attention to the impeccability of his physical appearance.

How does Cecily's diary mirror Jack's brother and Algernon's invalid friend?

They all reflect having double lives

What are Cecily's expectations upon hearing that Mr. Ernest Worthing has arrived? What do her expectations reveal about her character?

When Cecily hears that Mr. Ernest Worthing has arrived, she is excited to meet a "wicked" man and hopes that he will not be like all the other men she knows. So far, Cecily has led a sheltered life, and she is curious about the stories her Uncle Jack has told about his wicked brother Ernest. She has a wild side and cannot wait to encounter somebody who deviates from the social norm.

How does Cecily's fear that Ernest might have been leading a double life reverse Jack's and Algernon's reasons for creating an alternative identity?

When Cecily refers to Ernest's double life, she indicates her suspicion that he might "have been leading a double life, pretending to be wicked and being really good all the time." Her fear reverses the notion of alternative identities: Jack created an alternative identity to lead a wicked life and transgress Victorian moral norms, not to lead a good life.