The Importance of Being Earnest Study Questions

1. What is the overall effect of the play's references to death? How is death, as a theme, dealt with in the play? Is Cecily a more realistic character than Gwendolen? Why or why not? Which unionJack's with Gwendolen or Algernon's with Cecilyseems more likely to succeed? Support your answer. Why or how is The Importance of Being Earnest funny? What is the difference between being witty and being funny? Discuss the character of Miss Prism. What kind of person is she and what seems to be her function in the play? Wildes play has two settingsthe city of London and the country. How does he create differences between the two settings? What attitudes toward marriage do Wildes characters explore? How does Wilde create and comment on the differences between the social classes in England as represented by Lady Bracknell and the servants in both settings? What attitudes of the aristocracy can be seen in Lady Bracknell?

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10. What is the definition of farce and how does this play fit this definition? 11. How would you define a dandy? Apply your definition to Algernon and Jack and show how they are dandies.