AP Lang: The Importance of Being Earnest

What does the inscription inside the cigarette case say?

"From little Cecily with her fondest love to her dear Uncle Jack"

What is the ironic song Algernon unknowingly starts playing in the room next to Jack and Lady Bracknell?

"Wedding March"

What does Lady Bracknell advise him to do?

"acquire some relations as soon as possible, and to make a definite effort to produce at any rate one parent, of either sex, before the season is quite over"

How long did Algernon plan to visit Cecily?

"until Monday" (he tells Lane that he would not return until then)

Next, she asks what his address is. What is his response and what is her reaction?

149 Belgrave Square. Lady Bracknell disapproves of the address, but remarks that it can change.

Legally, according to her guardian, Cecily will be of age when she is __.

35

What happened to all of the cucumber sandwiches?

Algernon ate all of them without noticing.

What type of conversation occurs when "Ernest" Worthing enters?

Algernon interrogates him about where he's been and what activities he's been involved in

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.

The piece of evidence that establishes Ernest's identity is a/an ________.

Army List

Describe Bunbury.

Bunbury is Algernon's imaginary pal who lives in the country. Bunbury is Algernon's excuse to get out of social engagements.

______ says they couldn't wait till Cecily is of age to get married.

Cecily

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.

Lady B says Algy has _____ "to depend on."

Debts

Who mentions that Miss Prism is waiting in the ventry?

Dr. Chasuble

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.

Describe Ernest.

Ernest is an imaginary troublesome little brother to Jack. He supposedly does scandalous things in the city, but really his fake misfortunes just give Jack a reason to leave the country and go to town.

True/False. When Algernon asks Jack if he told Gwendolen the truth about his name, Jack tells Algernon that he did in fact tell the truth.

FALSE. Jack told Algernon that "the truth isn't quite the sort of thing one tells to a nice, sweet, refined girl"

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.

Are Jack's feelings reciprocated? Or does Gwendolen not feel the same way?

Gwendolen loves him too, saying "my own Ernest!"

What happens when Jack suggests a name rather than Ernest, such as "Jack"?

Gwendolen scoffs saying that no name is as charming as Ernest.

Why does Jack refuse consent to Cecily's marriage?

He doesn't approve of Algy's morals

Her next question is how old he is. What is his response and what is her reaction?

He is 29 and she is pleased with his age.

The next question is does he know everything or nothing. What is his response and what is her reaction?

He responds that he knows nothing and Lady Bracknell is delighted to hear that is "natural ignorance" is preserved.

The next question is how much he makes. What is his response and what is her reaction?

He responds that he makes 7,000-8,000 pounds a year in investments. This answer is satisfactory to Lady Bracknell.

Her first question is whether or not he smokes. What is his answer and what is her reaction?

He tells her that he does and she's pleased because men should always have some sort of "occupation".

Next, she wants to know his political party. What is his response and what is her reaction?

He tells her that he's a Liberal Unionist and she finds this acceptable as well.

Finally, she asks if his parents are living. What is his response and what is her reaction?

He tells her that he's lost both his parents. She's appalled and asks for more information. After finding out more, she makes it clear that his social standing is in severe question.

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.

The last time we see Miss Prism and Chasuble they are _______.

Hugging

How was Jack found, as an orphan?

In a handbag at Victoria Station by a gentleman named Thomas Cardew.

Who is older? (Jack/Algy)

Jack

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.

Describe Jack.

Jack is a moral and boring legal guardian who lives in the country.

What happens after Gwendolen shares her marriage desire?

Jack proposes and she accepts.

What is the name of Algernon's servant?

Lane

Miss Prism confused Jack with her ________.

Manuscript

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.

Does Miss Prism go to Lady B or vice versa?

Miss Prism goes to Lady B

What is Lady B presuming when she says that christenings seem premature?

Neither couple has a baby

Does Lady Bracknell support the relationship between Jack and Gwendolen?

No

Lady B says when she married her husband, she had ___ fortune.

No

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 happens after Lady Bracknell finds out about the proposal?

She commands Gwendolen to wait in the carriage outside and she interrogates Jack.

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

Where did Ernest claim he had been?

Shropshire

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 Jack mistakenly assume about Miss Prism?

That she is his mother

After his interrogation, Jack talks to Algernon. This ended in Jack realizing something about Gwendolen. What did he realize?

That she may end up just like her mother. (Lady Bracknell)

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 Algy say that Bunbury died?

The doctors found out he could not live so he exploded

What's a terminus?

The end of a railroad, a terminal

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

They all reflect having double lives

Lady B doesn't favor long engagements because

They give people the opportunity of finding out each other's character

True/False: Aunt Augusta and Lady Bracknell are the same person.

True

True/False: Miss Fairfax and Gwedolen are the same person

True

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.

What does Lady Bracknell ask about as the reading for today ends?

Why Algy displays signs of triviality

Does Lady B confirm that Jack is named Ernest?

Yes

What key item does Algernon summon to prove Ernest's lie?

a cigarette case

Why doesn't Algernon give his consent to Ernest to marry Gwendolen?

because Gwendolen is his first cousin and he found Ernest's cigarette case with "Cecily" written inside

Why does Algernon reveal that Aunt Augusta will not be happy to see Ernest?

because he flirts disgracefully with Gwendolen.

What did Lane order for Lady Bracknell?

cucumber sandwiches

What is Jack's plan to make himself more acceptable to Lady Bracknell?

he plans to have Ernest die of a severe chill in Paris by the end of the week.

When Gwendolen asks for Jack's address and he recites it, what does Algernon do?

he stealthily writes it down on his shirt cuff.

How did Algernon explain the missing sandwiches?

he told Lady Bracknell that no cucumbers were found at market that morning

Algernon says Lane's view of marriage is _______.

lax

Why is Lady Bracknell okay with the missing sandwiches?

she already had crumpets with a friend, Lady Harbury

Why does Algernon write Jack's address?

so he can go visit Cecily in the country

What does Gwendolen tell Jack when she sneaks back into the room where he and Algernon are?

that Lady Bracknell will not approve of the marriage, but that she will always love him.

What is Ernest's explanation?

that he is "Ernest" in town and "Jack" in the country

When Jack asks why Algernon is laughing after receiving his mail, what does Algernon jokingly respond?

that he's "worried about Bunbury"

What does Lady Bracknell tell Jack in the start of their conversation?

that he's not currently on her list of eligible young men, but that she may change her mind if he answers questions satisfactorily

What is Jack's reasoning behind never letting Algernon meet her?

that she is "excessively pretty" and "only just eighteen"

What is Gwendolen's fantasy that she shares with Jack?

that she's always wanted to marry a man named Ernest

When Algernon interrupts Jack's plan to remind him that the news of Ernest's death will devastate Cecily, what does Jack say?

that the devastation and sadness will be good for her.

Why does the cigarette case prove Ernest's lie?

the inscription on the inside says that his name is Jack

Who's job does Algernon believe it is to demonstrate good behavior to everyone else?

the lower classes

What is Jack's plan for Ernest if Gwendolen accepts his proposal?

to "kill" him off

Why does Ernest claim he has come to town?

to propose to Gwendolen

What makes Lady Bracknell incredibly upset?

when she finds out Algernon will not have dinner with her because his friend, "Bunbury" is sick again (of course, this is an excuse since Bunbury does not actually exist)