Characters
Had an imaginary friend.
Who is Algernon
“I hope you have not been leading a double life, pretending to be wicked and being really good all the time.”
Who is Cecily?
According to Cecily, this must happen for an engagement to be considered serious.
What is breaking it off at least once?
Jack creates a fake brother to avoid responsibility, but it causes more problems instead. This is this type of irony.
What is situational irony?
“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”
Who is Algernon?
Where Algernon goes to find Cecily.
What is the country / Jack’s estate?
The food Algernon secretly eats that was meant for Lady Bracknell.
What are cucumber sandwiches?
The repeated focus on food throughout the play is an example of this literary element.
What is motif?
This character is Jack’s young ward who lives in the country.
Who is Cecily Cardew?
(Ward - a child who is taken care of by an adult who is not their parent)
“In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing.”
Who is Gwendolyn?
Where Jack says his brother Ernest died.
What is Paris?
The play makes fun of upper-class society, especially their views on marriage and social status. This is called this literary device.”
What is satire?
“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.”
Who is Algernon?
This character believes being ‘wicked’ makes someone more interesting.
Who is Cecily Cardew?
Creates an entire relationship in her diary before it actually happens.
Who is Cecily Cardew?
The audience knows that Algernon is pretending to be Ernest, but Cecily believes him. This is this type of irony.
What is dramatic irony?
Pretends to be Ernest in the country to impress Cecily.
Who is Algernon?
“To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.”
Who is Lady Bracknell?
The fake invalid friend Algernon uses as an excuse to avoid social obligations.
Who is Bunbury?
This character admits he was found in a handbag at a train station.
Who is Jack Worthing?
This type of statement expresses the author’s message about life in a complete sentence, not just a topic.
What is a thematic statement?