The Importance of Being Earnest Act 1 Quiz

In what ways do Algernon and Jack's views about love and marriage differ? Use specific lines from the script to support your ideas.

Algernon feels that freedom is an expression of life (the romance is dead once you're married) and, Jack feels that devotion and honestly are an expression of love.

In the world of the play, how do expectations related to "moral responsibility" relate to social class differences? Why is this humorous (p. 110)?

Algernon thinks the lower classes should set a good moral example for the upper classes. It is a reversal of expectations and it's funny because Algernon is waiting for someone else to show him how to behave

Oh! it is absurd to have a hard-and-fast rule about what one should read and what one shouldn't. More than half of modern culture depends on what one shouldn't read" (p. 113). What is Wilde saying about modern culture?

All of the banned stuff is challenging and difficult and could possibly change our society. Reading what we are told not to read is what we need to read in order to develop as a society. (Modern culture's literature is bad.)

Why does Lady Bracknell not consider Jack an eligible husband for Gwendolen?

Because he has no family name. His last name, Worthing, was from a train ticket. She says he must acquire some parents

Why does Jack find it necessary to "kill" his brother Ernest?

Because he's sick of living a double life of lies now that he's found Gwendolen and wants to marry her.

Why does Jack initially lie about his relationship to Cecily? What does his decision to lie say about his attitude toward Algernon?

He doesn't trust him. He knows Algernon reputation. He is not the most responsible of significant others. (He doesn't want Algernon to know he has a young woman who could be a potential interest to Algernon. Suggests Algy likes lots of women.)

What does Algernon mean when he says, "I keep science for Life" and later connects this idea to Lane preparing the cucumber sandwiches for Lady Bracknell (p. 109)?

He is accociated with facts, but that doesnt mean that he will actually follow through with it. He doesn't assume many things. He knows what he needs to do, but does not do it in the way in which he should). This is foreshadowing the sandwiches because he knows that his aunt will want the sandwiches but he eats them all anyway.

What kind of relationship do you think Lady Bracknell has with her husband?

It is a distant relationship, she only married him because he was very wealth. Same social class, both wealthy so they were a perfect match. She is in charge.

What do we learn about Algernon's relationship with his servant Lane from their conversation about marriage?

It is separate and impersonal. They are friendly to one another but Algy doesn't care about Lane's family or social life.

Explain the absurdity of Jack's "romantic origin" Explain the situation around Jacks childhood. (p. 132).

It was the Victoria Line, found in a handbag. Lady Bracknell says there is nothing romantic about that.

Algernon says, "the very essence of romance is uncertainty. If ever I get married, I'll certainly try to forget the fact" (p. 111). How does this statement critique Victorian attitudes toward marriage?

More of a business arrangement. He only asks about finances and not about why he loves her and wants to marry her. Algernon critiques marriage by saying that once you are tied down to someone it's unromantic. He will try to forget that he's married. This is a critique because you can't "forget" that you're married, that's an absurd idea, but marriage in Victorian times was an unromantic ideal.

Why does Algernon consider a woman who flirts with her husband in public scandalous? What do we learn about Victorian ideals of decorum from this statement (p. 117)?

PDA, you don't flirt with the person who you are married to. You are suppose to keep things private and impersonal when you're in public

Based on Lady Bracknell and Algernon's first exchange, what do we learn about Lady Bracknell's character? What role do you predict she'll play in the story (p. 118)?

She is snobbish, and the hard of the household. She is the antagonist (against Jack and Gwendolyn marrying)

How does Lady Bracknell's question about whether Jack was born in the "purple of commerce" or "the ranks of the aristocracy" reflect on the social structure of the upper class in Victorian England (p. 126)?

Shows the different levels of the upper class. Jack is rich but has no family name, and is therefore below Algernon in terms of class.

Why does Jack establish two different identities for himself—one for the country and another for the city?

So that he can take a brake from being a guardian in the country. When he is bored, he goes to the city to help his "brother" Earnest, but he is really just having alone time.

What is a "Bunburyist" (pp. 115-117)? Why does Algernon find it necessary to be one?

Someone who makes up a fake person to get out of things they don't want to do. So he can take a brake and escape social obligations

What evidence from the script tells us that the setting for the play is late-Victorian England?

The way they treat mattiage and relationships. The level of expected manors. The groom trying to arrange the marriage with the wife's mother

How do we know Algernon and Jack are close friends? Can you think of a similar exchange you've had with a good friend?

They tease each other and help each other even when they don't agree with each other