UNIT 2

Which line from Act II of The Importance of Being Earnest is an epigram? "I am not sure, however, that the news inspires me with feelings of unmixed delight." "It is always painful to part from people whom one has known for a very brief space of time." "You must remember his constant anxiety about that unfortunate young man his brother." "Were I fortunate enough to be Miss Prism's pupil, I would hang upon her lips."

B

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

C

Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest. Jack. My dear Algy, you talk exactly as if you were a dentist. It is very vulgar to talk like a dentist when one isn't a dentist. It produces a false impression. This excerpt best illustrates which feature of a comedy of manners? witty wordplay a commentary on marriage a comparison of country and city life concern with appearance over morality

A

Which feature of a comedy of manners is present in the passage?

B

The pun in this passage relies on which two definitions of the word little? "narrow" "younger" "unimportant" "brief" "small in size"

B E

What literary device does Gwendolen use when she says, "I think there must be some slight error"? pun paradox understatement epigram

C

Lady Bracknell. Ah, nowadays that is no guarantee of respectability of character. What number in Belgrave Square? Jack. 149. Lady Bracknell. [Shaking her head.] The unfashionable side. I thought there was something. However, that could easily be altered. Jack. Do you mean the fashion, or the side? Lady Bracknell. [Sternly.] Both, if necessary, I presume. What are your politics? -The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde What does Jack's confusion suggest about the rules that govern Victorian society? If a rule exists, it must exist for a very important reason. Rules are a necessary part of any respectable society. Rules are very difficult to change once they are established. If the rule can easily be changed, then it is meaningless.

D

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

A C D E

Lady Bracknell. Ah, nowadays that is no guarantee of respectability of character. What number in Belgrave Square? Jack. 149. Lady Bracknell. [Shaking her head.] The unfashionable side. I thought there was something. However, that could easily be altered. Jack. Do you mean the fashion, or the side? Lady Bracknell. [Sternly.] Both, if necessary, I presume. What are your politics? -The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde Why is Jack confused in this passage? Jack does not remember where he lives. Jack does not understand why Lady Bracknell thinks his clothes are unfashionable. Jack does not know if Lady Bracknell objects to the location of his house or the rule that says the location is unfashionable. Jack does not know if Lady Bracknell objects to his clothing choices or the location of his townhouse.

C

What literary device does Oscar Wilde use in the title of his play The Importance of Being Earnest? epigram understatement pun paradox

C

[Algernon.] Besides, your name isn't Jack at all; it is Ernest. Jack. It isn't Ernest; it's Jack. Algernon. You have always told me it was Ernest. I have introduced you to every one as Ernest. You answer to the name of Ernest. You look as if your name was Ernest. You are the most earnest-looking person I ever saw in my life. It is perfectly absurd your saying that your name isn't Ernest. . . . Jack. Well, my name is Ernest in town and Jack in the country, and the cigarette case was given to me in the country. -The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde Which feature of a comedy of manners is present in the passage? an illustration of class differences an emphasis on appearances over morality a commentary on marriage the differences between country and city life

D

What literary device does Wilde use in this passage? pun paradox understatement epigram

A

Which line from The Importance of Being Earnest highlights the divide between the social classes in Victorian society? "Really, if the lower orders don't set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them?" "What else should bring one anywhere? Eating as usual, I see, Algy!" "I have invented an invaluable permanent invalid called Bunbury, in order that I may be able to go down into the country whenever I choose." "I know. You are absurdly careless about sending out invitations. It is very foolish of you. Nothing annoys people so much as not receiving invitations."

A

What literary device is being used when a writer intentionally describes something as being less than it actually is? epigram paradox understatement pun

C

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.] If it wasn't for Bunbury's extraordinary bad health, for instance, I wouldn't be able to dine with you at Willis's to-night, for I have been really engaged to Aunt Augusta for more than a week. Jack. I haven't asked you to dine with me anywhere to-night. Algernon. I know. You are absurdly careless about sending out invitations. It is very foolish of you. Nothing annoys people so much as not receiving invitations. -The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde How does Wilde use Algernon's behavior to make fun of proper behavior or customs? by having Algernon behave rudely while Algernon is criticizing Jack for behaving rudely by having Algernon remind Jack that Algernon has extended an invitation to Jack, and Jack would be rude not to accept it by having Algernon refuse to be polite and invite people to dinner by having Algernon explain to Jack that Jack's written invitation was rudely worded

A

Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest. 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. What effect does the paradox in this excerpt have on the reader? It causes the reader to think about the multiple meanings of the word bear in the play. It causes the reader to think about how doing nothing should be easy, but in fact can be quite hard. It causes the reader to realize that doing nothing is never hard work and that Algernon is wrong. It causes the reader to realize that Jack thinks doing something is always better than doing nothing.

B

Read the excerpt from Act II of The Importance of Being Earnest. Gwendolen. [Quite politely, rising.] My darling Cecily, I think there must be some slight error. Mr. Ernest Worthing is engaged to me. The announcement will appear in the Morning Post on Saturday at the latest. How does the use of the understatement in the excerpt affect this part of the scene? It creates a more serious tone by mentioning that the engagement will appear in the newspaper. It makes it clear that Gwendolen is not extremely concerned with the current situation. It heightens how ridiculous it is that two women think they are engaged to the same man. It heightens Cecily's outrage at Gwendolen for thinking she is engaged to Ernest Worthing.

B

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

Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest. Algernon. In the third place, I know perfectly well whom she will place me next to, to-night. She will place me next Mary Farquhar, who always flirts with her own husband across the dinner-table. That is not very pleasant. Indeed, it is not even decent . . . and that sort of thing is enormously on the increase. The amount of women in London who flirt with their own husbands is perfectly scandalous. It looks so bad. It is simply washing one's clean linen in public. Besides, now that I know you to be a confirmed Bunburyist I naturally want to talk to you about Bunburying. Which part of the excerpt contains a paradox? ". . . I know perfectly well whom she will place me next to . . ." "She will place me next Mary Farquhar, who always flirts . . ." "It is simply washing one's clean linen in public." "Besides, now that I know you to be a confirmed Bunburyist . . ."

C

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

Which line from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest is an epigram? "There is no good offering a large reward now that the thing is found." ". . . you have no right whatsoever to read what is written inside." "More than half of modern culture depends on what one shouldn't read." "Well, if you want to know, Cecily happens to be my aunt."

C

Which line from The Importance of Being Earnest shows the difference between city and country living? "Why cucumber sandwiches? Why such reckless extravagance in one so young? Who is coming to tea?" "Yes, that is all very well; but I am afraid Aunt Augusta won't quite approve of your being here." "When one is in town one amuses oneself. When one is in the country one amuses other people. It is excessively boring." "If you don't take care, your friend Bunbury will get you into a serious scrape some day."

C

Read the excerpt from Act II of The Importance of Being Earnest. Algernon. [Raising his hat.] You are my little cousin Cecily, I'm sure. Cecily. You are under some strange mistake. I am not little. In fact, I believe I am more than usually tall for my age. Which two definitions of the word little does the pun in this excerpt rely on? few thin small mean young

C E

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

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

Which line from Act II of The Importance of Being Earnest is a paradox? "Child, you know how anxious your guardian is that you should improve yourself in every way." "I certainly wouldn't let Jack buy my outfit. He has no taste in neckties at all." "Oh! It is strange he never mentioned to me that he had a ward. How secretive of him! "Well, one must be serious about something, if one wants to have any amusement in life."

D