Characters
Who is Jack Worthing's fake brother?
Who is... Earnest Worthing
Who said the following:
“My ideal has always been to love someone of the name of Ernest.”
Who is.. Gwendolyn Fairfax
How does Jack’s use of the name “Ernest” in the city reveal a contradiction between his public identity and private behavior?
What is... Hypocrisy, he presents himself as moral and upright, but uses his fake identity for pleasure and to escape responsibilities.
Who is Bunbury, and how does he "help" Algernon?
Who is... A fake invalid in the country that Algernon uses to avoid social obligations.
Why is Jack "going to kill [his] brother?"
What is... He wants to marry Gwendolyn and keeping his alter ego would become unrealistic. Also, Cecily is too fond of him.
Who is Algernon's fake invalid friend?
Who is... Bunbury
Who said the following:
“To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.”
Who is... Lady Bracknell (Aunt Augusta)
How does Algernon’s behavior during the cucumber sandwich scene reveal his attitudes toward social rules and sincerity?
What is...Ignores societal obligations while prioritizing his own pleasure and amusement over seriousness and sincerity.
Why has Jack come to the city? What is he doing and what is he avoiding?
What is... To propose to Gwendolyn, and avaoid his responsibilities in the country.
What best explains why Jack kept Cecily a secret from Algernon?
What is... To protect his young and pretty niece from Algernon's unserious/playboy nature.
Who is Cecily to Jack Worthing?
Who said the following:
“I hate people who are not serious about meals. It is so shallow of them.”
Who is... Algernon
Why does Gwendolen’s fixation on the name “Ernest” suggest that she values appearance over reality?
What is... She values his name more than his character, and shows us how superficial Victorian values are.
What is Jack's plan for getting rid of Earnest? What does Algernon think of his plan?
What is... Jack wants to tell everyone Earnest died of a chill. Algernon thinks he should keep Earnest around so he can keep avoiding his responsibilities.
What is the significance of the cigarette case in Act 1, and how does it contribute to the conflict between Jack and Algernon?
What is... The cigarette case reveals Jack’s double life because the inscription exposes his identity. This creates conflict because Algernon discovers Jack’s deception, forcing him to admit the truth about his dual identity.
Who is "devoted to bread and butter?
Who is... Gwendolyn Fairfax
Who said the following:
“When one is placed in the position of guardian, one has to adopt a very high moral tone on all subjects.”
Who is... Jack Worthing
How does Lady Bracknell’s interrogation of Jack reveal her beliefs about what truly determines a person’s worth?
What is... She prioritizes wealth, family background, and social status over personal qualities, which pokes fun at class-based judgement.
How does Algernon’s reaction to Jack’s proposal challenge the idea that love should be taken seriously?
What is... Algernon treats Jack’s proposal casually and even mockingly, suggesting that proposals are not deeply meaningful.
What is Algernon's view on marriage? Give one quote to support your answer.
What is... Algernon views marriage as something that leads to boredom and deception rather than lasting sincerity or love.
Who was recently widowed?
Who is... Lady Harbury
Who said the following:
“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”
Who is... Algernon
How does Oscar Wilde use Jack’s and Algernon’s deceptive behaviors to comment on the idea of sincerity in Victorian society?
What is... Characters lie to navigate social expectations, suggesting that society values appearances so much that deception becomes normalized.
How does Lady Bracknell’s response to Jack’s proposal redefine the idea of love as a social transaction rather than a personal emotion?
What is... Lady Bracknell treats marriage as a matter of status, wealth, and lineage rather than love, rejecting Jack based on his background instead of his character.
How does Wilde use the concept of “Ernest” as both a name and a trait in Act 1 to develop the theme of identity and deception?
What is... Students should explain that “Ernest” represents honesty and sincerity as a trait, but in the play it is reduced to just a name. Jack adopts the name as part of his deception, while Gwendolen loves the name rather than the person. This contrast reinforces Wilde’s satire of superficial values.