Characters
What is Earnest's real name?
John
"I thought you had come up for pleasure?... I call that business" (Wilde 3)
Algernon
The following quote is an example of what literary device? "Because you are like a pink rose, cousin Cecily" (Wilde 40).
Simile
Why is it ironic that Algernon has Lane say that no sandwiches could be made?
It is dramatic irony because readers know he ate all the sandwiches before Lady Bracknell arrived
What type of sandwiches were made for Lady Bracknell?
Cucumber sandwiches
Who does Jack want to marry and who does Algernon want to marry?
Gwendolyn and Cecily, respectively
"I think that it is high time that Mr. Bunbury made up his mind whether he was going to live or to die" (Wilde 15)
Lady Bracknell
What is Algernon picking up a Railway Guide at the end of Act I an example of?
It is an example of foreshadowing as it alludes to how Algernon is planning on visiting Cecily
Why is it ironic that Gwendolyn says, "Ah! that is clearly a metaphysical speculation, and like most metaphysical speculations has very little reference at all to the actual facts of real life, as we know them" (Wilde 17) in response to Earnest asking if she would love him as John?
It actually relates to real life because his real name is John
Where was Jack found as a child?
In an old leather handbag, in a cloak room
Why does Jack go by Jack in the country and Earnest in the city?
He feels that he must adopt a more serious persona in front of his ward.
"I have dared to love you wildly, passionately, devotedly, hopelessly" (Wilde 52)
Algernon
In the first act what literary device is being used when Jack talks about his romanticization of marriage/love while Algernon refers to it as business?
Juxtaposition
Why is it ironic that Algernon pretends to be John's brother, Earnest?
Algernon is actually John's brother
How old is Cecily?
Eighteen
What is Canon Chasuble's purpose for appearing the book?
He appears so that Jack and Algernon have the ability to change their names by christening them
"I am not in favour of this modern mania for turning bad people into good people at a moment's notice" (Wilde 34)
Miss Prism
What literary devices are used concerning the meaning behind the name Earnest?
It is irony using the name Earnest as the false identity it pokes fun at how none of the characters using the identity are earnest or truthful
Why is it ironic that Miss Prism goes on a walk with Canon Chasuble?
Miss Prism tells Cecily that she should be focused on her studies but immediately leaves her charge when Chasuble enters the scene
Miss Prism wrote a multi-volume novel, how many volumes was it?
Three volumes
What does Lady Bracknell's character represent about Victorian society?
The absurd need to appear perfect and the dismissal of emotion for said perfect image
“In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing” (Wilde 75)
Gwendolyn
Algernon's indulgence on food and drink placed in front of him, particularly in the scene where he eats muffins. What is the device being used and what is it trying to convey?
Symbolism, Algernon's doesn't care childish behavior of eating the muffins when Jack tells him to stop. This is symbolic of the self-indulgent nature of the Victorian aristocrats.
Why is this statement by Algernon ironic; "Yes, but you must be serious about it. I hate people who are not serious about meals. It is so shallow of them" (Wilde 12)?
Because he thinks people not being serious about meals is shallow, but doesn't place much importance on things such has marriage, death, or the falsification of an identity.
Where in the country does Jack have an estate?
Hertfordshire