Name that Device
A form of wordplay that exploits multiple meanings or similar-sounding words for humorous or rhetorical effect, such as in the play’s title.
What is a pun?
The terms for
1. self-evident truth,
2. a universal truth, and
3. a satirical statement with a humorous twist.
What is 1. truism, 2. aphorism, and 3. epigram.
“In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing.”
Who is Gwendolen?
The city where Act 1 takes place.
What is Westminster, London?
“Really, if the lower orders don't set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them? They seem, as a class, to have absolutely no sense of ___ responsibility.” (Algernon, Act 1)
What is moral?
The type of humor, irony, sarcasm, or ridicule Wilde uses to criticize aspects of Victorian society, including religion, politics, and gender roles.
What is satire?
The device(s) in:
“In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing.” (Gwendolen, Act 3)
What are aphorism and inversion/anastrophe?
“Never speak disrespectfully of Society... Only people who can’t get into it do that.”
Who is Lady Bracknell?
The town where Acts 2 and 3 take place.
What is Hertfordshire?
“Pray excuse me, Lady Bracknell, for interrupting you again, but it is only fair to tell you that according to the terms of her grandfather’s will Miss Cardew does not come legally of age till she is ___.” (Act 3)
What is thirty-five?
Term for a memorable, humorous, satirical statement twisting words, for example, the idiom “a match made in heaven” inverts meaning with one word “Divorces are made in heaven.” (Algernon, Act 1)
What is an epigram?
The device(s) in:
“We live, as I hope you know, Mr. Worthing, in an age of ideals.” (Gwendolen, (Act 1)
What is a truism alluding to Victorian society's values?
“Long engagements give people the opportunity of finding out each other's character before marriage, which is never advisable.”
Who is Lady Bracknell?
The Late Victorian period was time of political and social upheaval. (This class) was beginning to cede power to (another rising class).
What is the aristocracy and the middle class?
“Algernon, I forbid you to be ___. I will not hear of such excesses. Lord Bracknell would be highly displeased if he learned that that was the way in which you wasted your time and money.” (Lady Bracknell, Act 3)
What is baptized?
An inversion that changes conventional word order for emphasis or poetic effect. Ex: “...a terrible thing for a man to discover that he’s been telling the truth all his life”
What is an anastrophe?
The device and speaker:
"The truth is rarely pure and never simple" (Act 1)
What is an epigram/aphorism, and who is Algernon?
“This suspense is terrible. I hope it will last.” (Act 3)
Who is Cecily?
The name of the square in London where Jack has a townhouse.
What is Belgrave Square?
“To be born, or at any rate bred, in a hand-bag, whether it had handles or not, seems to me to display a contempt for the ordinary decencies of family life that reminds one of the worst excesses of the ___." (Lady Bracknell, Act 1)
What is the French Revolution?
A figure of speech or phrase that has two meanings (one obvious, one less). It relies on the use of ambiguity or a play on words to create humour or evoke multiple interpretations to create a playful and witty tone.
What is a double entendre?
The 3 devices in:
When Jack nervously professes his admiration for Gwendolyn, she replies, “Even before I met you I was far from indifferent to you.”
What is verbal irony (unexpected), paradox (contradicts logic), hyperbolic (exaggerating feelings)?
“The home seems to me to be the proper sphere for the man. And certainly once a man begins to neglect his domestic duties, he becomes painfully effeminate, does he not?” (Act 2)
Who is Gwendolen?
The upper-class anxiety during the late Victorian era is epitomized in Lady Bracknell, whose main goal is to preserve her family's elite status. She is pleased when Jack explains that he is a supporter of this party.
What is Liberal Unionist?
“There is something in that name that seems to inspire absolute ___. I pity any poor married woman whose husband is not called Ernest.”
What is confidence?