Analyzing Satire and Character Development in "The Importance of Being Earnest
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Reading Log:
The Importance of Being Earnest
#1: page 5 (bottom)
•
How does Wilde use the
subject of cucumber
sandwiches to reveal the
characters of Jack and Algy?
#2: page 12 (enter Lane)
•
Summarize what you understand
about Jack Worthing calling
himself "Ernest" when he is in
"town" (London) and Algernon
inventing an invalid friend named
"Bunbury.”
#3: pages 20-25
•
How does Lady Bracknell’s
interview with Jack satirize the
mentalities and lifestyles of the
British aristocracy? Cite an
example.
#4: End of ACT I (page31)
•
Cite examples of TWO of the
following tools of satire used
in Act I:
•
Irony
•
Juxtaposition
“All’s fair in love and war.”
•
Understatement
“We have a small problem – all four
engines have stopped.”
•
Paradox
“It’s weird not to be weird.”
#5: page 34
•
Miss Prism defines “fiction” as
when “the good [end] happily, the
bad unhappily.” Do you agree
with her definition? Why or why
not? Provide one example.
#6: pages 37-40
•
Note any line from the conversation
between Cecily and Algernon that you
deem particularly witty or funny.
If
you do NOT find their conversation
funny or witty, please explain WHY
NOT.
#7: page 47
[Enter Merriman]
•
Compare OR contrast Miss
Prism and Lady Bracknell.
What factors have shaped their
values? Cite at least ONE
example.
#8: page 62
•
How does the scene between
Cecily and Gwendolen on
pp. 55-62 exemplify
elements of the Comedy of
Manners?
#9: page 77
•
How is Lady Bracknell’s
monologue reacting to Cecily’s
inheritance a way of Wilde
mocking the hypocrisy of
Victorian society?
#10 – end of play
•
At the end of the play, Jack says to Gwendolen, “...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?” She replies, “I can. For I feel sure that you
are sure to change” (p. 89). What is Wilde’s opinion about
honesty?
Final Entry: #11
•
Write a brief paragraph in answer to the to the following
question: Does this play actually serve as a serious
critique of society, or is it simply a fun, entertaining play?
Please provide textual evidence in your response.
Explore how Oscar Wilde uses humor, satire, and wit to develop characters like Jack and Algernon in "The Importance of Being Earnest." Dive into the clever use of cucumber sandwiches, the creation of false identities, and the ridiculing of British aristocracy to unravel the layers of social commentary woven into this classic play.
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Presentation Transcript
Reading Log: The Importance of Being Earnest
How does Wilde use the subject of cucumber sandwiches to reveal the characters of Jack and Algy? #1: page 5 (bottom)
Summarize what you understand about Jack Worthing calling himself "Ernest" when he is in "town" (London) and Algernon inventing an invalid friend named "Bunbury. #2: page 12 (enter Lane)
How does Lady Bracknells interview with Jack satirize the mentalities and lifestyles of the British aristocracy? Cite an example. #3: pages 20-25
Cite examples of TWO of the following tools of satire used in Act I: Irony Juxtaposition All s fair in love and war. Understatement We have a small problem all four engines have stopped. Paradox It s weird not to be weird. #4: End of ACT I (page31)
Miss Prism defines fiction as when the good [end] happily, the bad unhappily. Do you agree with her definition? Why or why not? Provide one example. #5: page 34
Note any line from the conversation between Cecily and Algernon that you deem particularly witty or funny. If you do NOT find their conversation funny or witty, please explain WHY NOT. #6: pages 37-40
Compare OR contrast Miss Prism and Lady Bracknell. What factors have shaped their values? Cite at least ONE example. #7: page 47 [Enter Merriman]
How does the scene between Cecily and Gwendolen on pp. 55-62 exemplify elements of the Comedy of Manners? #8: page 62
How is Lady Bracknells monologue reacting to Cecily s inheritance a way of Wilde mocking the hypocrisy of Victorian society? #9: page 77
At the end of the play, Jack says to Gwendolen, ...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? She replies, I can. For I feel sure that you are sure to change (p. 89). What is Wilde s opinion about honesty? #10 end of play
Write a brief paragraph in answer to the to the following question: Does this play actually serve as a serious critique of society, or is it simply a fun, entertaining play? Please provide textual evidence in your response. Final Entry: #11
