Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)
Discussion Questions:
1978:
1979:
-
Why did Wilde sue the Marquess of Queensberry in 1895?
The Importance of Being Earnest (1895)
2003:
-
What is the play's philosophy?
-
Explain: "In the dandified world of this drama, paying scrupulous
attention to surfaces is an act of the deepest sincerity" (2003).
-
What is the classical definition of comedy?
-
Explain: "The careful observation of outward form is the truest
path toward an ironic authenticity and self-fulfillment" (2003).
-
Explain: "Art is not an imitation of life but a more aesthetically satisfying
restructuring of it" (2003).
-
What is the Theater of the Absurd
?
Act One:
2004:
-
Describe the relationship between Algernon and Lane.
-
Why does Algernon believe that "the lower orders . . . have absolutely
no sense of moral responsibility" (2004).
2005:
-
Why are cucumber sandwiches a "reckless extravagance" (2004)?
-
Explain: "The very essence of romance is uncertainty" (2005).
2007:
-
Why has Jack lied about Cecily?
-
Why has he lied about his name?
2008:
-
What is a Bunburyist?
-
Explain: "The amount of women in London who flirt with their own
husbands is perfectly scandalous. . . . It is simply washing one's
clean linen in public" (2008).
2010:
-
Explain Lane's response to Algernon's complaint about the cucumber sandwiches.
-
Explain Aunt Augusta's claim that "Illness of any kind is hardly a thing
to be encouraged in others" (2010).
2011:
-
Why wouldn't Gwendolen want to marry a man named Jack? (See also 2028).
2012:
-
Explain Lady Bracknell's suggestion that "An engagement should come
on a young girl as a surprise" (2012).
2013:
-
Explain Lady Bracknell's claim that "Ignorance is like a delicate exotic
fruit" (2013).
2015:
-
Why does Lady Bracknell refuse to consent to Jack's engagement to Gwendolen?
-
Explain Jack's claim that "The truth isn't quite the sort of thing that
one tells to a nice sweet refined girl" (2015).
2016:
-
Why does Jack believe that Cecily and Gwendolen will call each other
sister? How is this ironic? (See also 2032).
Act Two:
2019:
-
Who is Egeria? Should Miss Prism know who she is? Explain.
2020:
-
Why is Algernon pretending to be Ernest?
2021:
-
What is the significance of Australia?
2022:
-
Why has Jack returned early from his trip?
2023:
-
Why does Jack want to be christened?
2026:
-
Discussion of Diary can be found on CD (which doesn't exist)
2027:
-
How have "Ernest" and Cecily been engaged before meeting each other?
2028:
-
Why does Cecily want to marry a man named Ernest?
-
Why has Gwendolen arrived?
2029:
-
Explain Gwendolen's views on man's "domestic duties" (see also 2036).
2031:
-
Explain: "Flowers are as common here . . . as people are in London"
(2031).
2032:
-
Why does Gwendolen want Cecily to call her sister?
2034:
-
Why are Jack and Algernon going to be (re)christened?
Act Three:
2035:
-
Explain Gwendolen's remark: "In matters of grave importance, style,
not sincerity is the vital thing" (2035).
2036:
-
Explain Gwendolen's remark about the equality of the sexes.
2038:
-
Why does Jack refuse to consent to Cecily's marrying Algernon?
2042:
-
Why does Jack assume Miss Prism is his mother?
2043:
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