THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Oscar Wilde Act

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Oscar Wilde

Act One ■ You do not need to write answers to these questions, but making sure you can answer each of these will ensure that you understand what is happening in the play. ■ 1. John (Jack) Worthing uses two names. List the two names, explain why he uses the names, and tell where he uses each one. ■ 2. Explain how Gwendolyn, Algernon, and Lady Bracknell are related. ■ 3. Name the main reason Lady Bracknell refuses to let Mr. Worthing marry Gwendolyn. ■ 4. How did John Worthing acquire his name and his wealth? ■ 5. Algernon (Algy) has also created a false identity. Name that person and explain why Algy has created him. ■ 6. Explain how John/Jack Worthing and Cecily Cardew are related.

In groups, be sure you can answer the Act One questions, then each group will answer one of the following topics: A. Look for examples of serious topics being taking lightly, and frivolous topics being taken seriously. Find specific examples with page or line numbers. B. Find examples of satire – what Victorian convention is being satirized? How do you know? C. Comedy/Humor – were there funny episodes in Act One? What comedic elements were used? D. Critiques of the institution of marriage – general commentary on marriage – be specific in your examples. E. Puns and the idea that life is to be taken for pleasure only

Tuesday and Wednesday nights – Read Act II Thursday night – Read Act III Friday in class – discuss Act III and play as a whole Monday – timed write – your choice – Doll’s House OR Earnest – prompts from Question Three of released A. P. tests

FARCE: • a light, humorous play in which the plot depends upon a skillfully exploited situation rather than upon the development of character. • a comic dramatic work using buffoonery and typically including crude characterization and ludicrously improbable situations. • Often uses physical humor and absurdity

Comedy of Manners: • a comedy that satirizes behavior in a particular social group, especially the upper classes. • A witty, cerebral form of dramatic comedy that depicts and often satirizes the manners and affectations of a contemporary society. • concerned with social usage and the question of whether or not characters meet certain social standards.