Act One Importance of Being Earnest Discussion Questions 1. Why does Jack Worthing call himself "Ernest" instead when he is in "town" (London)? 2. Why has Algernon invented an invalid friend named "Bunbury"? 3. Jack has an insurmountable impediment to marrying Gwendolen in his background: what, as Lady Bracknell sees it, is this problem? How does she propose that he resolve this problem? What is Wilde satirizing in this situation? 4. How does Wilde use the subject of cucumber sandwiches to reveal the characters of Jack and Algy? 5. How does Wilde satirize the vacuous mentalities and lifestyles of the British aristocracy in Lady Bracknell's interview with Jack? 6. How does Wilde use the cigarette case to facilitate the exposition of the dramatic action? 7. The character of Algernon Moncrieff reflects the public persona of the dramatist himself: in what ways in Algy like Wilde? Refer to background information. 8. Why is the classical allusion in which Wilde compares Lady Bracknell to the Gorgon particularly apt? You may look this answer up BUT CITE YOUR SOURCE!
9. The other classical allusion, to the Emperor Augustus, is more oblique: why did Wilde choose the name "Augusta" for Lady Bracknell? You may look this answer up BUT CITE YOUR SOURCE! 10. What is the essence of such Wildean aphorisms as the following?" "[Women flirting with their own husbands] looks so bad. It is simply washing one's clean linen in public." 11. What point is Wilde making about journalism in general and reviewers in particular when Algernon remarks, "You should leave that [literary criticism] to people who haven't been at University. They do it so well in the daily papers"? 12. What tools of satire irony, juxtaposition, understatement, paradox are apparent in this opening act? CITE SPECIFIC LINES FROM THE PLAY. Act Two 1. "Gwendolen and Cecily are not so much opposites as complements." Explain this remark by reference to their speeches and actions. 2. Early on in Act One Jack Worthing articulates the difference between city life and country life. Show three ways in which the life of the country (as exemplified by the Manor House, Woolton, Herfordshire) is very different from the bachelor life of The Albany, London. 3. Like Jack, Algy leads a double life, utilizing an escape mechanism when necessary to free himself of a life of social obligation and lead a life of unrestrained pleasure. Explain their differing motivations, but how both are "confirmed Bunburyists," nevertheless. 4. The comedy of mistaken identity is a very old dramatic form as old, in fact, as comedy itself which Wilde manages to revitalize in The Importance of Being Earnest. The key mistaken identity in this play, of course, is that of Ernest himself. What comic consequences result from Algernon s assuming the role of Ernest Worthing? 5. In what ways would the terms "hedonist," "aesthete," and "gourmand" be suitable descriptors for Algernon? You may look this answer up BUT CITE YOUR SOURCE! 6. How would you characterize Canon Chasuble and his relationship with Miss Prism? Why does Wilde include them at this point in the play? 7. Give five examples of Wilde s wit, comedy and/or satire in this act. How does this further his satirical purpose?
8. A subtle sub-theme of the play is readers, publishers, fiction, and censorship. What points by implication is Wilde making about contemporary literature? 9. What role does food have within the play? (Notice how Jack and Algy are eating muffins at key points and then those pesky cucumber sandwiches in Act I ) 10. Based on the types of comedy discussed, how would you define The Importance of Being Earnest thus far? Defend your selections using textual references. Act Three 1. Lady Bracknell has been described as "the perfect embodiment of the attitudes and rules of conduct of the British aristocracy." How does Wilde unmask the mercenary motives of Lady Bracknell to reveal her essential snobbishness and hypocrisy in the final act? 2. To a certain extent, Miss Prism and Dr. Chasuble are also satirical figures through whom Wilde attacks British institutions, namely education and the Church of England. Explain briefly what aspects of these institutions Wilde is satirizing. 3. Define the term "bunburying," and explain its significance in the play. How does bunburying relate to Wilde's critique of Victorian earnestness? How are even Cecily and Dr. Chasuble "bunburyists"? 4. The play has a number of objects that acquire additional meanings as the action develops. Explain how three of the following symbols in The Importance of Being Earnest relate to the plot and especially to the characters: cucumber sandwiches, bread-and-butter, the German language, French music and language, bottles of champagne, teacake, muffins, and the capacious handbag. 5. "Although we see little of them, each of the butlers has a back story and serves as a vehicle for Wilde s satire of the aristocracy." Explain. 6. If the principal characters will go to any lengths to avoid their responsibilities and place self- interest at the top of their own agendas, then a resolution of the conflicts in the play would be impossible: somebody has to make concessions. How does the resolution scene in the third act resolve the conflicts between Lady Bracknell and Jack? Jack and Algernon? Gwendolen and Cecily?
Importance of Being Earnest Study Guide 1 KEY 1. Jack Worthing calls himself Ernest instead when he is in London because his brother that he came up with is full of mischief and misbehavior, so Jack is able to escape to London and misbehave on account of his brother. This itself creates a morality for Jack while in town as he supposedly helps his brother out of his troubles. This is ironic, and the life of Ernest was disapproved in Victorian Society while what Jack appeared as was normal and looked upon greatly. Jack strived for a very high moral tone. 2. Miss Fairfax was referred to as The Honourable Gwendolen Fairfax because it is an honorary name designated from her father s title, but this was just a designation, so they never used it in informal situations such as direct address or bills. 3. Algernon invented an invalid friend name Bunbury because it was his way of coping and escaping with his social obligations in reality. 4. Lady Brackwell sees that the problem between Jack and Gwendolen marrying is the fact that he did not have a close family to raise him. She feels if he establishes a family and creates a relationship with them, he can resolve the problem. This is satirizing the lack of mobility in the transition between social classes in the Victorian Era. 5. Wilde uses the subject of cucumber sandwiches to reveal the characters of Algy and Jack by showing the selfish, witty character of Algy by him taking some of the cucumbers because he is her nephew, and Jack contrastingly a respectable and kind young man.
6. Wilde satirizes the vacuous mentalities and lifestyles of the British aristocracy in Lady Bracknell's interview with Jack through her valuing of ignorance, as she puts it, ignorance is a delicate exotic fruit (Pg 12). 7. Wilde uses the cigarette case to facilitate the exposition of the dramatic action because it creates the suspicion in Algy s mind that Jack has a double life. 8. Algy is like Wilde in that they are both aesthetics, and Wilde exemplifies the fact that Algy has no moral convictions and lives in a beautiful way. 9. The classical allusion comparing Lady Bracknell to the Gorgon is particularly apt because the Gorgon was a Greek mythological creature that was a terrifying female, just as Bracknell is in her crude and domineering character. (www.arthistory.sbc.edu/.../papers/kottkegorgon/gorgons.html). 10. Wilde chose the name Augusta for Lady Bracknell because in alluding to Emperor Augustus, he is intending how the wealth and distinguished lifestyle came from inheritance, and her ignorance and crude personality was not something she earned, but rather gained out of luck. (http://www.roman-empire.net/emperors/augustus-index.html) 11. It is appropriate that Lady Bracknell ring the doorbell in a Wagerian manner because it is a long, held out ring, and it is able to tell them it is a relative (or creditor) at the door, so the servant not answer. 12. All of those places, Tunbridge Wells, Shropshire, etc. all reveal that the characters are wealthy and revolve their lives around the social class they belong too.
13. The meaning of such Wildean aphorism is Wilde s way of questioning and outrageously opposing actions of society especially those in the Victorian Era. He uses a metaphor to criticize people s behavior and lives in public. 14. Wilde is expressing the social class separation through this, because he is showing how the two wealthy guys snobbishly talk down about journalism as a whole, and sarcastically says how the uneducated should be the ones in control of criticizing literature. 15. Wilde is showing how people in society, such as Jack were ignorant to the affects their wealth and power had on those below them. They followed the Liberal Unionist views, where Irish would be sent deeper and deeper into poverty. Wilde s radical ideas challenged this and showed how ignorant and blind the wealthy truly were, because he himself was a libertarian. (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liberal%2bunionist) Act II Study Guide KEY 1.) "Gwendolen and Cecily are not so much opposites as complements" comes from the fact that both of them are fooled yet intrigued by the character of Earnest. They both see him in opposite ways, yet to both of them is a great fascination. 2.) The country life differs from the London life. The London life is described and made out to be lavish, fashionable and cultural, a haven for Jack to escape the prison of life to. On the contrary, the country lifestyle is unspoiled and almost a representation of the life in Victorian times. The Manor House, Woolton, Hertshire is an escape from the extravagant city life, where nature is emphasized. The garden, an old-fashioned one, full of roses. contrasts the modern lifestyle to the city of London. It expresses an escape and less modern lifestyle such as in the city. With the less literal imagery, thee plot is set up and they say Time of year, July. While the
countryside is not always summertime, the plot taking place in the warm, peaceful, summer contrasts with the cold, chaotic atmosphere of the city. 3.) The differing motivations of Jack and Algy with their double life is based on their escape from reality. For Jack, we see it more as a rebellion and more enjoyable life, because he goes and gallivants in the city, enjoying the high life. For Algy, it ia more of a mechanism to get him out of situations, to avoid any displeasure society might deal him. Both are Bunburyists however because they both need an escape from the reality and harshness of the Victorian Society. 4.) The comic consequences of Algy assuming the role of Ernest Worthing is the fact that he will expose lie that Jack has created through the truth and reality. 5.) These terms are suitable for descriptors of Algy because he and his views in society, such as art, demoralizing state of marriage, etc. all oppose those views and lifestyles held in high esteem during the Victorian period. 6.) Canon Chasuble is a character that comes off as very intelligent, country reverend who is very literate. He and Miss Prism have romantic feelings for each other. This is in this part of the story because the walk they go for acts as a distraction for when Algeron comes as Ernest and only Cecily sees him. 7.) Chasuble: That is strange. Were I fortunate enough to be Miss Prism's pupil, I would hang upon her lips. [Miss Prism glares.] I spoke metaphorically.--my metaphor was drawn from bees. Ahem! Mr. Worthing, I suppose, has not returned from town yet? - Miss Prism: Cecily! I am surprised at you. Mr. Worthing has many troubles in his life. Idle merriment and triviality would be out of place in his conversation. You must remember his constant anxiety about that unfortunate young man his brother. - Cecily: I keep a diary in order to enter the wonderful secrets of my life. If I didn't write them down, I should probably forget all about them. - Algernon: That is a great disappointment. I am obliged to go up by the first train on Monday morning. I have a business appointment that I am anxious... to miss?
- Algernon: Oh, well! The accounts I have received of Australia and the next world, are not particularly encouraging. This world is good enough for me, cousin Cecily. All of these examples use either irony, wit, or simple comedy that further the satirical criticizing of the desire for that higher status, and separation from the Victorian Society. 8.) Wilde is saying how the society itself is controlling and restricting the free and endless features those who create fiction can write. The Victorian society upholds many views and that is all the literature was written after. He uses Cecily and her diary to show how her true thoughts and beliefs or secrets are just that. She keeps it away from others and does not share, it is her double life. 9.) Food played a role to symbolize and highlight the lack of proper manners they have. This gives part of the reason to why they have double lives and why they have a problem fitting into society. 10.) The Importance of Being Earnest thus far has subtle, high understanding comedy, between sarcasm, irony, and satire. The book as a whole though pulls together all of the aspects of comedy for the obvious criticizing of the Victorian Society. Cecily: I keep a diary in order to enter the wonderful secrets of my life. If I didn't write them down, I should probably forget all about them. This, out of many different parts is showing how not just the two main characters have double lives, but the more subtle characters (common people) such as Cecily have one, and this is satirical in the suppression of the freedom in literature during that time. Act III Guide KEY Importance of Being Earnest Study Guide 3 1.) We see the character of Lady Bracknell in a way that she represents the British aristocracy. Wilde expresses her snobbishness and hypocrisy when Jack refuses Cecily and Algy to marry if Bracknell does not let him marry Gwendolen. Lady Bracknell refuses, showing her standing by and embracing the rules of the British aristocracy.
2.) Through Miss Prism and Dr. Chasuble s quick and premature love, Wilde is showing that those who are in charge and lead the educational and religious institutions are ignorant and not how we perceive them. 3.) Bunburying is the act of Algernon escaping to aid a fictitious ill friend. This is Algernon s escape from society. This shows how people s inner character and true desires are restricted fro the Victorian society, because they were set in their ways, with no freedom of mind for the citizens. Cecily is a bunburyist because her freedom of mind is expressed through her secret diary, and Dr. Chasuble has secret romantic feelings that are suppressed for the most part. 4.) The cucumber sandwiches play a large role in developing the characters of Algernon and jack. For Algernon, it shows his ignorant and rude character, but expresses Jack s contrasting character to this. Altogether though, the lack of manners between the men in their actions shows their lack of fitting into society. When Cecily offers cake to Gwendolen, she replies saying, Cake is rarely seen at the best houses nowadays. This shows how they believe they are above everyone else, because of wealth, and they try to fit into that class of society. It shows the class of the characters and the characteristics that come about because of it. Lady Bracknell states, French songs I cannot possibly allow. She ands her statement with how German is much more respectable. The suppression and hatred of French music and language was a reflection of the English s fear of French influence after the French revolution. Wilde writes about the French with negative connotation. 5.) Wilde shows that Gwendolen and Lady Bracknell are similar in the claims from Jack and Algy describing Gwendolen as a clever, fashionable, self confident, and an experienced woman. This is similar to that of Lady Bracknell and how she is pompous and mature/strict in her ways while also expressing her high class. We see the first few lines that Gwendolen speaks, I am always smart! and In fact, I am never wrong. This shows the same pompousness that Bracknell has. They do vary though, because Gwendolen
is young and still has her freedom of mind, unlike Bracknell who has her set ways close to that of the society. 6.) The cigarette case and handbag represent plot secrets, because both of them contain a secret that ultimately develop into a shocking truth which reveal something about the characters. The first plot secret is when Algernon returns Jack s cigarette case. This ultimately unravels the truth, because with this suspicion and truth, Algernon eventually unveils the truth about Jack s Ernest. With the handbag, we find out in the beginning that Jack was adopted when he was found in a handbag. When this plot secret develops, we find out the handbag of Miss Prism was the one he was from, making Miss Prism his mother, but ultimately finding out his mother was Bracknell s poor sister. 7.) The butlers represent the common person under the British aristocracy, who are not rich and they are controlled completely in their ways. They lack freedom, yet act as a filter and control valve to Jack and Algy s wild ways. 8.) Lady Bracknell s largest characteristic is her pretentious and arrogant and evil attitude. The allusion to Gorgon truly represents how she is deep down, especially in the way we see her treat Jack. Egeria illuminates the function of her role in her relationship with Chasuble. Their relationship shows how it is down the path of a common relationship because of her allusion to Egeria, who was an advisor, just as the women at that time were advisors to their lover. 9.) Between Lady Bracknell and Jack, he finally found out his family, which was truly the only thing standing between him getting married. Between Jack and Algernon, Jack forgives Algy for faking his earnest and letting the truth come out, because Jack learned and has become sincere through Earnest. Between Gwendolyn and Cecily, they both find their true Earnests, because for Cecily it was Algy who pretended to be Ernest, and for Gwendolyn, the person she desired was front of her all along. 10.) For Jack, his desire to live happily and free came by his extravagant escapes in London, which led him to fall for Gwendolyn. The only thing standing
between Gwendolyn and him was Bracknell s opinion of him. In the end, through the truth coming out, he found he had a family and he was able to marry Gwendolyn. For Cecily, it was her desire for Ernest and finally meeting him. The chance that even though he was not real, she still ultimately ended up in love with Algernon who was basically him in her mind. Lastly, Gwendolyn desires to have Ernest in her life. She runs into the chance that Jack was actually Ernest. This however unveiled Jack s true character and enhanced him to become more sincere and all. This chance fulfilled her because she did not lose Ernest because Jack lives through him from the lessons he s learned.