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Who is the author of “The Importance of Being Earnest”?
Name one other fact you remember about this author!
Oscar Wilde
(+ 1 fact)
What happened to Cecily and Algy's secret engagement?
It was broken off
"My own decision, however, is unalterable” (Jack)
What does unalterable mean? (provide a synonym, explain in the context of the sentence)
unalterable: unchangeable
--> there is no way he will change his decision
What does Lady Bracknell have to do for Jack to consent to Cecily and Algernon’s marriage?
Give consent to Jack's marriage with Gwendolen
"In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing. Mr. Worthing, what explanation can you offer to me for pretending to have a brother?”
Gwendolen speaking to Jack...
after finding out that he doesn’t have a brother, asking for an explanation
When and where is the play set?
London + countryside (Hertfordshire)
late 19th century (Victorian era)
What do Cecily and Gwendolen have in common in terms of their feelings towards men?
They are both attracted by the name "Ernest"
“In a moment of mental abstraction, for which I never can forgive myself, I deposited the manuscript in the bassinet, and placed the baby in the hand-bag” (Miss Prism)
What does mental abstraction mean? (give a synonym, explain in the context of the sentence)
mental abstraction: distraction
Miss Prism got distracted thinking for a moment and put the objects in the wrong spots.
What arrangement did Algernon and Jack make to earn the forgiveness of Cecily and Gwendolen?
Plan to rechristen themselves as Ernest
“That sounds not unsatisfactory. Three addresses always inspire confidence, even in tradesmen. But what proof have I of their authenticity?”
Lady Brackwell
Responding to Jack’s claim that Cecily comes from a wealthy family
How and where did the author die?
After a few years of living through social ostracism, ill health, and financial strain, Wilde died in Paris due to meningitis, at the age of 46.
Why does Cecily say that she and Algy have been engaged for the past three months?
She imagined it/wrote it in diary and made the romance exist when she heard of Ernest as Uncle Jack's "bad brother"
“Algy, you young scoundrel, you will have to treat me with more respect in the future” (Jack)
What does scoundrel mean? (provide a synonym, explain in the context)
scoundrel: (derogatory) rascal, good-for-nothing, a dishonest person
Jack is teasingly saying Algy is a terrible person.
The mention of this character’s name stops Lady Bracknell from leaving Manor House with Gwendolen– which character is it?
Miss Prism
“To speak frankly, I am not in favour of long engagements. They give people the opportunity of finding out each other’s character before marriage, which I think is never advisable”
Lady Brackwell
After approving that Cecily marry Algernon, she tells them they should marry soon
How did events in the author’s personal life affect this play’s success when it first came out?
While the play debuted at the height of Wilde’s fame, Wilde was arrested for “homosexual offenses” and was sentenced to two years of hard labor shortly after the play’s premiere.
The consequent scandal led to a premature cancellation of the play’s run and Wilde’s financial ruin.
Why does Gwendolen say (to Cecily) that she has the "prior claim" over Ernest? (p. 85)
“She approaches; she is nigh” (Chasuble)
What does nigh mean? (provide a synonym, explain in the context of this sentence)
nigh: Close-by, a short distance away
She's almost here!
What does Jack wrongly conclude upon realizing he was the misplaced baby?
He thinks Miss Prism is his mother
“If you are not too long, I will wait here for you all my life”
Gwendolen telling Jack she’ll wait for him while he goes to search for something (the bag)
When and where was the text of The Importance of Being Earnest published?
Following his release from prison, Wilde published the text from Paris, in 1897… it was published “by the author of Lady Windermere’s fan” (his name did not appear on the volume).
Why is it "painful" for Jack to say the truth about not having a brother?
(p. 91) because He's taken the habit of lying/inventing/making things up in order to do whatever he wants... he isn't used to saying the truth... and he's a bit humiliated by the girls!
“The perambulator was discovered at midnight, standing by itself” (Lady Brackwell)
What does perambulator mean? (provide a synonym, explain in context)
perambulator: A carriage, pram, stroller (in which children are carried)
The stroller was abandoned and later discovered elsewhere.
What are two pieces of information that emerge from the revelation that Jack is Lady Bracknell’s nephew?
Jack is Algernon’s brother
Jack’s name is Ernest
Jack is Gwendolen’s cousin
“[...] it is a terrible thing for a man to find out suddenly that all his life he has been speaking nothing but the truth. Can you forgive me?”
Jack, speaking to Gwendolen, after finding out he’s actually called Ernest (and that he does have a brother…)