The Importance of Being Ernest Earnest And the

The Importance of Being Ernest? Earnest? And the importance of HOMONYMS An introduction

What’s in a name? � Homonym: one of two or more words spelled and pronounced alike but different in meaning—Examples? ◦ Quail (bird; to recoil) � Homophone: one of two or more words pronounced alike but different in meaning or derivation or spelling—Examples? ◦ To (verb form: infinitive…to do), too (also), two (number) � EARNEST VS. ERNEST

Homophone Practice � After reading the background on Wilde, complete the summary activity on page 3 of your packet by correcting the misused homophones!

What’s in a name? � Now, review the second half of page 3; complete the left side of the anticipation guide carefully and with thought

Do names carry meaning? � Arthur � Elizabeth � Victoria

Earnest �a serious and intent mental state <a proposal made in earnest> � a considerable or impressive degree or amount <the sap started running in earnest>

Ernest �A male name

The Importance of Being Earnest: : � The importance of being in a serious mental state or impressive degree.

The Importance of being Ernest � The importance of being the man named Ernest

What’s in a name? � Meaning � Purpose

Review the names on page 2 � Anyone name Ernest or Earnest? � Who is here? ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ John Worthing, J. P. Algernon Moncrieff Rev. Canon Chasuble, D. D. Merriman, Butler Lane, Manservant Lady Bracknell Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax Cecily Cardew Miss Prism, Governess

Comedy of Manners � satirizes the manners and affectations of a social class ◦ Irony ◦ farce � often represented by stock characters (stereotypes) ◦ What are stereotypes of the Victorian age *think Pride and Prejudice* � the plot < witty and often bawdy dialogue ◦ Conflict ◦ Motif Epigram Pun

High Society (social Class) � Upper class; elite; socialites � In the Victorian Era ◦ Valued: history, heritage, lineage and the continuity of their family line. ◦ Believed: �born to rule through divine right �Noblesse Oblige the Elite's duty to take care of society ◦ Hoped: to continue tradition and the status quo �primogeniture (first born son inherits everything) ◦ Enjoyed a life of luxury and leisure �Owned most everything around ◦ By the late Victorian period—the middle class was only beginning to be recognized

Comedy of Manners � satirizes the manners and affectations of a social class ◦ High society—ridiculed ◦ Irony—opposite of what is said is actually meant

Oscar Wilde � “Lived a gloriously notorious eccentric and decadent life until his tragic demise…” � Built his literary career to a substantial point until he was ostracized from society due to his imprisonment for “gross indecency” and sentenced to 2 years hard labor. � His imprisonment broke him—he never finished another play or novel and died penniless; shunned by all but his closest friends � Why write a comedy of manners?