66 Questions
What is the relationship between Jack Worthing and Cecily Cardew?
Guardian and granddaughter
What role does Jack Worthing play in Hertfordshire?
Major landowner and justice of the peace
Who is 'Ernest' in Jack's life?
His alibi
What is Jack's alias when he goes to London?
Ernest
Who is Gwendolen Fairfax to Jack Worthing?
His love interest
Why does Algernon suspect that Jack may be leading a double life?
He discovered an inscription addressed to 'Uncle Jack' from 'little Cecily'
Why are Cecily and Gwendolen shocked when Jack reveals Ernest is fictional?
Because they thought Ernest was their brother.
What is the reason Algernon gives for pretending to be Cecily's guardian's brother?
To get closer to Cecily.
How does Lady Bracknell find out about Gwendolen's engagement to Jack?
From the maid.
Why does Lady Bracknell become genuinely interested in Cecily?
Because of her inheritance.
Why does Jack refuse to give consent to Cecily's marriage with Algernon?
Because Cecily is not of legal age.
Why is Miss Prism accused of leaving her sister's house with a baby?
She lost the baby due to absentmindedness.
Who is Jack revealed to be in relation to Algernon?
His older brother.
What significant revelation does Miss Prism make about a manuscript and a baby?
She misplaced the manuscript and the baby in a railway station.
Why does Jack initially press Miss Prism for more details about the bag?
To verify if it was the same bag she used before
What term does the author use to refer to a person who leads a double life in the text?
Bunburyist
Why does Jack confess to Algernon about his fictional brother in Act 1?
To get rid of Cecily's interest in the fictional brother
What specific characteristic of the name 'Ernest' does Gwendolen find appealing when considering a marriage partner?
It inspires absolute confidence
Why does Lady Bracknell forbid the match between Jack and Gwendolen?
Because Jack has no family background
In Act 2, why does Algernon pose as Jack's brother Ernest at Jack's country estate?
To deceive Cecily
What action does Cecily take upon discovering Algernon pretending to be Jack's brother?
She plays along with the charade
Why is there a 'war of manners' during the tea party between Gwendolen and Cecily?
Due to a misunderstanding about guardianship
What term does Jack use to describe a person who leads a double life?
Bunburyist
In the play, why does Jack confess to Algernon that his name isn't really Ernest?
Because he was caught with a cigarette case
Why does Lady Bracknell forbid the match between Jack and Gwendolen?
Due to Jack's lack of background information
What is the reason behind Algernon posing as Jack's brother Ernest at the country estate?
To marry Cecily
What characteristic of the name 'Ernest' do both Gwendolen and Cecily find appealing?
It inspires absolute confidence
In the play, what event leads to a confrontation between Gwendolen and Cecily during their tea party?
They discover they are both engaged to 'Ernest'
What action does Algernon contemplate taking in Act 2 to align with Cecily's romantic fantasies?
Changing his name to Ernest
Why does Jack consider killing off his fictional brother in the play?
To end the deception
'Bunbury' is associated with which character in the play?
'Bunbury' is Algernon's imaginary friend
'Ernest' serves as an important plot device in the play, primarily for what reason?
'Ernest' allows characters to escape social constraints
What is Jack Worthing's main role in Hertfordshire?
Justice of the peace and major landowner
Why does Jack pretend to have an irresponsible brother named Ernest?
To have an excuse to leave Hertfordshire
What is the significance of the inscription inside Jack's cigarette case addressed to 'Uncle Jack'?
It indicates Jack's relation to a mysterious 'Cecily'
Who does Algernon suspect Jack is when he finds the inscription inside Jack's cigarette case?
Ernest
Which character in the play is unaware of Jack's double life as Ernest?
Cecily Cardew
Where does Jack use the alias 'Ernest'?
London
What allows Jack to disappear for days at a time?
'Ernest,' his imaginary brother
Why are Cecily and Gwendolen shocked and furious when Jack admits that Ernest is fictional?
They realize they are engaged to the same person.
Why does Lady Bracknell demand to know what is going on in Act 3?
To find out about Cecily's wealth.
What revelation prompts Lady Bracknell to become genuinely interested in Cecily?
Cecily's inheritance.
Why does Jack refuse to give consent for Cecily to marry Algernon initially?
He is protective of Cecily's wealth.
How does Lady Bracknell try to manipulate the situation regarding Cecily and Algernon's marriage?
By suggesting they wait until Cecily is thirty-five.
What causes the confusion regarding Jack's parentage?
Miss Prism's carelessness with a baby.
Why does Jack exclaim 'Mother!' when the situation regarding his parentage is sorted out?
He discovers he is Miss Prism's son.
Why does Lady Bracknell ask for Miss Prism to be sent for?
To interrogate her about the missing baby.
What prompts Jack to go offstage and return with a handbag?
Miss Prism mentions the handbag.
What aspect of Victorian society does Oscar Wilde mock in The Importance of Being Earnest?
Deception and hypocrisy
How does Algernon react to his butler Lane's deception regarding wine consumption?
With indifference and nonchalance
What do the characters in The Importance of Being Earnest prioritize over the truth?
Appearances
What satirical tools does Wilde use in the play to reflect the superficiality of Victorian society?
Veiled insults and polite wit
What forms the basis of the major conflict in The Importance of Being Earnest?
Deceptions and hypocrisies
In the opening scene of the play, what is revealed about Algernon's reaction to Lane's deceit?
He reacts with indifference
What does Wilde achieve by using deception and hypocrisy as tools for his characters in the play?
Emphasizing societal superficiality
'A Trivial Comedy for Serious People' as a subtitle for The Importance of Being Earnest hints at Wilde's view on:
'Trivial' comedy for 'serious' people
'Deceit' is characterized in the play as something that is:
'Expected and acceptable'
'The Importance of Being Earnest' is primarily a satire on the society's emphasis on:
'Deception over truth'
What deceptive practice does Algernon engage in, as mentioned in the text?
Bunburying, caring for a fictional friend
How does Wilde mock Victorian views and customs of courtship during the rising action of the play?
By highlighting women's independence in choosing partners
What revelation about Jack's parentage occurs at the climax of the play?
He is an orphan found at a railway station
What is the significance of Lady Bracknell's reaction towards Cecily upon discovering her wealth?
She becomes genuinely interested in Cecily
How are Jack and Algernon forced to confront their deception at the climax of the play?
By admitting they are not truly named Ernest
'Bunburying' is a term used in the play to describe what?
Pretending to care for an invalid friend
'The Importance of Being Earnest' criticizes Victorian society by emphasizing the prevalence of what?
Deception and hypocrisy
What does Gwendolen's hypocrisy involve in her interactions with Jack?
Claiming devotion while considering marrying another man
Study Notes
Characters and Their Relationships
- Jack Worthing: Protagonist, guardian to Cecily Cardew, and a pillar of the community in Hertfordshire.
- Cecily Cardew: Jack's ward, 18 years old, and granddaughter of the late Thomas Cardew.
- Algernon Moncrieff: Jack's friend, cousin of Gwendolen Fairfax, and a "Bunburyist" who leads a double life.
- Gwendolen Fairfax: Cousin of Algernon, in love with Jack, and fixated on the name Ernest.
- Lady Bracknell: Gwendolen's mother, who disapproves of Jack as a suitor for her daughter.
- Miss Prism: Cecily's governess, who reveals a significant secret at the end of the play.
- Dr. Chasuble: The local rector.
Plot
- Jack leads a double life, pretending to have an irresponsible brother named Ernest in order to escape his responsibilities.
- Algernon discovers Jack's secret and forces him to confess, revealing Cecily as his ward.
- Jack proposes to Gwendolen, but she is fixated on the name Ernest and refuses to marry anyone without it.
- Algernon falls in love with Cecily, who has invented an elaborate romance with "Uncle Jack's brother Ernest".
- The story unfolds as the characters' deceptions and hypocrisy are revealed, leading to a resolution that exposes the truth.
Themes
- Deception and hypocrisy: The characters' reliance on lies and deception to achieve their goals.
- Appearance vs. Reality: The characters' obsession with appearances and social norms, while ignoring the truth.
- Satire of Victorian society: The play mocks the cultural and social conventions of the time.
Key Events
- Algernon discovers Jack's cigarette case with an inscription from "little Cecily".
- Jack confesses his double life to Algernon.
- Lady Bracknell interviews Jack, disapproving of his lack of family background.
- Algernon poses as Jack's brother Ernest, causing chaos at Jack's country estate.
- The two women, Gwendolen and Cecily, discover each other's engagements to Ernest and confront Jack and Algernon.
- Miss Prism's secret is revealed, and Jack discovers his true identity.
Symbolism
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The handbag: Represents the lost baby, which holds significance to Jack's true identity.
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The name Ernest: Symbolizes authenticity and respectability, while also revealing the characters' superficiality.### Oscar Wilde's Critique of Victorian Society
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In his play, Wilde satirizes the upper class's use of civility and customs to hide their immoral behavior.
Deception and Hypocrisy
- Jack and Algernon engage in deceit to create a false impression, with Jack lying about his name and Algernon practicing "Bunburying" to escape to the country.
- Gwendolen's hypocrisy is exposed as she claims to be devoted to Jack while considering marrying someone else.
- Algernon's courtship of Cecily is built on a lie, as she believes he is Jack's fictitious brother, Ernest.
Subversion of Victorian Tropes
- Wilde turns the traditional Victorian view of marriage and courtship on its head, showing men having little say in the matter.
- Cecily decides she is engaged to Ernest before meeting him, contradicting the idea that men take charge in matters of marriage.
Climax and Resolution
- Jack and Algernon's deception is exposed, revealing their hypocrisy.
- Lady Bracknell's reaction to Cecily's wealth highlights the shallow nature of Victorian society.
- Jack's true identity is revealed, and he is indeed Algernon's brother, named Ernest after his father.
Themes and Critique
- Despite the comedic tone, Wilde's play critiques the rampant deception and hypocrisy in Victorian society.
- The play suggests that the upper class's aristocratic ideal is questionable and that their morality is superficial.
- The happy resolution of the play's conflicts implies that Wilde's criticism of Victorian society is tempered by the use of comedy.
Explore the character of Jack Worthing, the protagonist of 'The Importance of Being Earnest'. Learn about his background, responsibilities, and dual identity in this classic play by Oscar Wilde.
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