Who is this?
lives impulsively and loves indulging themselves in fine foods, later we find out they eat as a response to stress
Algernon
This category or genre relies on strategies or devices like repetition, exaggeration, and contrast to make the audience laugh
comedy
The characters Jack and Algernon utilize this strategy to trick others into believing they are someone else and not who they actually are
"Bunburying" or living a double identity
Name the character who said this quote and which theme they are talking about:
"I really don’t see anything romantic in proposing. It
is very romantic to be in love. But there is nothing
romantic about a definite proposal. Why, one may
be accepted. [...] Then the excitement is all over. The very essence of romance is uncertainty. If ever I get married, I’ll certainly try to forget the fact."
Algernon, marriage
The title of the play _The Importance of Being Earnest_ uses this figurative device, which can take place as a homophone or a double meaning
pun
lives a double identity in the city to escape from their boring life in the country and to marry for love
Jack Worthing
This category is a type of comedy that mocks or criticizes a person, a group of people, or a mindset for the express purpose of advocating for change
satire
All major characters in the play _The Importance of Being Earnest_ have opinions about this topic; most characters believe this event or action should be done for love while one character believes it should only be done to uphold the status quo
marriage
"I think it is high time that Mr. Bunbury made up his mind whether he was going to live or to die. This shilly-shallying with the question is absurd. Illness of any kind is hardly a thing to be encouraged in others. Health is the primary duty of life." (meaning that if Bunbury is going to be sick, then he should die and do it quickly and efficiently to be more convenient for others)
Lady Bracknell, social class
An example of a figurative strategy or device: The characters Cecily and Gwendolen fight over a man who isn't real; the audience knows that Ernest is fake, but the women don't.
dramatic irony
likes to pretend that they have been engaged to Ernest and living a daydream through diary entries
Cecily Cardew
This category uses flat, exaggerated characters, improbable plot situations, and slapstick or physical comedy for humorous effect
farce
Lane and Merriman appear to be the only sane characters or "straight men" in the play while the main characters who are well off and are not subservient to anyone believe and do ridiculous things for ridiculous reasons, thus reinforcing which theme?
social class/classism or "The wealthy class have more money than sense"
"We live, as I hope you know, in an age of ideals. The
fact is constantly mentioned in the more expensive
monthly magazines; and my ideal has always been to love someone of the name of Ernest. There is something in that name that inspires absolute
confidence."
Gwendolen; deception vs honesty
This figure of speech repeats specific sounds within words; an example looks like: "I have _invented_ an _invaluable_ _invalid_ called Bunbury"
alliteration
believes that Ernest is a trustworthy name and also believes that anyone named Ernest must be an honest person
Gwendolen
This category makes fun of stereotypical characters because of the ridiculous way they behave or act; also makes fun of ridiculous beliefs (like believing someone who is named Ernest must be an earnest/honest person)
comedy of manners
The playwright uses Miss Prism and Dr. Canon Chasuble to make fun of and criticize these two pillars of Victorian English society
education and religion
Person 1: That is why I want you to
reform me.
Person 2: I’m afraid I’ve no time, this afternoon.
1: Well, would you mind my reforming myself this
afternoon?
2: It is rather Quixotic of you. But I think you should try.
Algernon and Cecily; deception vs honesty
This figure of speech can be used to say something improper
An example looks like: "Were I fortunate enough to be Miss Prism’s pupil, I would _hang upon her lips_.* [Miss Prism glares.] I spoke metaphorically."
innuendo or double entendre
This example demonstrates both the use of an idiom and an innuendo.
has little tolerance for the sick and the poor; believes that marriage should only be done to maintain social status and retain wealth
Lady Bracknell
The playwright/author of the play _The Importance of Being Earnest_ believes in this idea, which means that art should exist for beauty alone, not to prove or advocate for a moral or political purpose
aestheticism
Name one thematic statement or message that is apparent by the end of the play.
(There are three answers to this card.)
"Honesty is the best policy"/"Live true to yourself"
"It is better to marry for love than for money or status"
"It is better to live decadently than to suffer under a false life"
"Never speak disrespectfully of Society, Algernon. Only
people who can’t get into it do that."
Lady Bracknell; social class
When Algernon demands that Jack explain his reason for living a double life, he says "Now produce your
explanation, and pray make it improbable." What kind of device is happening when he says improbable?
malapropism