The Importance of Being Earnest Questions

Act I
1. What does Algernon mean when he says, “I keep science for Life”? He believe when he’s playing the piano, don’t need
the precision of sciences, he prefer does things with love and to be wrong to do things with rigor of sciences and don’t
feel nothing.

2. How does he later connect this idea to Lane preparing the cucumber sandwiches for Lady Bracknell? Connects ideas
by having him ask for sandwiches and take some for himself, knowing that they aren’t his and that he isn’t doing things
well, with a rigor, but he doesn’t care, he prefers to savor things (or the moment) to worry about the future
consequences

3. What do we learn about Algernon’s relationship with his servant Lane from their conversation about marriage? Is a
relationship of respect from her, and a little humiliating from him, but treats her in a very polite way

4. In the world of the play, how do expectations related to “moral responsibility” relate to social class differences? Why
is this humorous? because it is considered that depending on the social class to which the person belongs so it will be his
behavior; someone of upper class always has to be very polite, a person of lower class usually does not have moral
responsibilities, for which nothing is expected of her; feels so humoristic because it is what was believed in old times,
but taken to a superlative degree

5. Algernon says, “-every essence of romance is uncertainty. If ever I get married, I’ll certainly try to forget the fact.”
How does this statement critique Victorian attitudes toward marriage? in Victorian times it was assumed that love was
something wonderful, but marriage was annoying, since there were social regulations that had to be fulfilled, so that
part criticizes the idea that was had of love, that it is an adventure as long as one does not commit oneself at all to that
person, when in reality it depends on the person with whom one wants to be the way in which the relationship is
conducted

6. “Oh! it is absurd to have a hard-and-fast rule about what one should read and what one shouldn’t. More than half of
modern culture depends on what one shouldn’t read.”.\ What is Wilde saying about modern culture? that modern
culture there are books of popular culture that incorrectly instruct the youth on different aspects; in the age of reason,
there are still books that lose it by the simple fact of selling more and not proposing something that really instructs the
reader

7. Why does Jack establish two different identities for himself—one for the country and another for the city? he creates
two identities because one uses it when he is in society, with people from his own socio-economic strata, when he goes
to the city, he tries to be different, invents or another identity so as not to deal with the moral responsibilities of being
him so that he can be what he really wants to be

8. Why does Jack initially lie about his relationship to Cecily? What does his decision to lie say about his attitude toward
Algernon? he could not trust him because of his reputation, which was that he is not responsible and could use that
information against him

9. What is a “Bunburyist”? Why does Algernon find it necessary to be one? a person who creates a false identity to be
able to do activities without having the fear of being in the public eye because he poses as someone totally different
from what he really is. he found it necessary to be a bunburyist because of his stratus, he could not go down to the city
to be with normal people, of the common, for he would be crossed out somehow, having a false identity, he could do
whatever he wanted without fear of being judged

10. Why does Algernon consider a woman who flirts with her husband in public scandalous? What do we learn about
Victorian ideals of decorum from this statement? He considered that that was like putting clean clothes to dry to the
public, it was a pity for him. it may be noted that signs of affection in public in Victorian times were taken as something
scandalous, many years had to pass so that they did not look bad, hardly in the 21st century is not considered as the loss
of modesty

11. In what ways do Algernon and Jack’s views about love and marriage differ? Use specific lines from the script to
support your ideas. Algernon considered that love was something very beautiful, but that when marriage ends, that the
emotion of romance without ties is the best thing in life “It is very romantic to be in love. But there is nothing romantic
about a definite proposal.” Jack looked at love as something more accessible, that even married you could enjoy but
that sometimes, people who lose the sense of passion can get divorced “The Divorce Court was specially invented for
people whose memories are so curiously constituted.”

12. Based on Lady Bracknell and Algernon’s first exchange, what do we learn about Lady Bracknell’s character? What
role do you predict she’ll play in the story? She doesn’t care about anyone but herself, considering herself to be the
center of the universe and therefore has an egocentric tendency, it could be announced that she will play an
antagonistic role

13. What kind of relationship do you think Lady Bracknell has with her husband? It seemed that she simply uses him,
perhaps she is still married to her husband because of a matter related to money and social status. They look distant

14. How do we know Algernon and Jack are close friends? Can you think of a similar exchange you’ve had with a good
friend? they often tease each other at times, and as good friends do, they do not always agree on their ideas but always
respect and support them

15. What evidence from the script tells us that the setting for the play is late-Victorian England? The way in which
relationships and marriage are treated. Exposure about the mansions and their huge sizes. The manner in which
marriages were arranged, the future husband arranging marriage with the woman’s parents

16. How does Lady Bracknell’s question about whether Jack was born in the “purple of commerce” or “the ranks of the
aristocracy” reflect on the social structure of the upper class in Victorian England? It shows the different social strata
that existed, that a person with money but no surname backed them (without a powerful family) is seen as inferior or of
lesser quality than others. Sometimes, the family of high social prestige could reach bankruptcy and even his name was
of weight in society, but the rich person but without wealthy family continued to feel bad

17. Explain the absurdity of Jack’s “romantic origin.” It doesn’t have a romantic origin as such, it’s like a little story told
by Gwendolen’s mother to her and she seems fascinated, there’s not much to add

18. Why does Lady Bracknell not consider Jack an eligible husband for Gwendolen? because even though he may have
money, he doesn’t have a family to back him up, and for the Victorian era in which they live, that’s not something
conceivable as logical, an important woman has to marry someone of renown and not just someone with money

19. Why does Jack find it necessary to “kill” his brother Ernest? because he was tired of living a double life where he
wasn’t really honest with anyone, plus he found Gwendolen, fell in love with her and had the intentions to marry her
which led to that change.

20. Which character do you think most represents the voice of the playwright? Why? Provide evidence to support your
claim. the playwright could be considered to be jack, although everyone speaks with very refined language, but Jack uses
it most of the time and is more eloquent than normal. For example: “Oh, that is all right. Cecily is not a silly romantic girl,
I am glad to say. She has got a capital appetite, goes long walks, and pays no attention at all to her lessons.” “There's a
sensible, intellectual girl! the only girl I ever cared for in my life…”

21. Identify moments in Act I when Wilde utilizes irony as a comedic device. ALGERNON. “That is quite a different
matter. She is my aunt. [Takes plate from below.] Have some bread and butter. The bread and butter is for Gwendolen.
Gwendolen is devoted to bread and butter.” JACK “And very good bread and butter it is too.” ALGERNON. “Well, my
dear fellow, you need not eat as if you were going to eat it all. You behave as if you were married to her already. You are
not married to her already, and I don't think you ever will be.”

Act II
1. What does Cecily mean when she describes her Uncle Jack as being “very serious”? How does her definition of
seriousness differ from Miss Prism? In what ways might their ages affect their views on the subject? When she says that
Jack is very serious, she means that Jack is not a joker type, he seems demure, formal, without being extravagant and
with very clear ideas of what to do. The definition differs in that for Miss Prism, seriousness is not what she mentions,
since Miss Prism sees Jack as a formal, responsible person, who does not like games; instead to Cecily that seems boring,
because he thinks that a person should always want to have fun the way she has fun, and since Jack doesn’t share those
ideas, that makes him boring. Ages greatly affect the change of perspective since a young person has a lot of energy and
does not see the consequences of his actions, does not think of tomorrow but simply to enjoy the day; a person of more
mature age, as Miss Prism, sees life as quieter, where you have to measure yourself in actions, you should always
consider the consequences in the future and not simply the emotion of the moment

23 In Act I, Jack says, “Cecily is not a silly, romantic girl.” Do you think his description is accurate? Why or why not? I
think it is not correct, because the comments made about the diary and things related to them, suggest that she is a
little girl with high romantic fantasies, who dreams of magical romantic situations, a unique first kiss, a magical prince
charming and a girl who is not silly and romantic, usually has more focused thoughts, know that those things are just
fantasies and leave them like that, but Cecily sees it as something feasible

3. What can you infer about Miss Prism when she corrects Dr. Chasuble upon being called “Egeria” and reminds him that
her name is Laetitia? Dr. Chasuble was trying to conquer Miss Prism, he called her "Egeria" in honor of the nymph of
Greek mythology and all the commnotations to which she was ruled, to her correct it can give two interpretations, that
she had no idea of the flirtation, or that she knew nothing of the nymph

4. What new perspectives do Miss Prism and Dr. Chasuble bring to the play? Show a classic flirtation of the Victorian era,
where the man tried to seduce the woman by means of eloquent phrases and deep knowledge of things interesting for
her, but that look strange for many people of the time or boring, if you want to interpret

5. What is Miss Prism’s attitude toward the practices of the Primitive Church? What does her attitude reveal about her
relationship with Dr. Chasuble? she considers that they are wrong since they limit marriage, which she is in favor of, and
that celibacy is very difficult to take care of, since she always has temptations. She is shown accepting for marriage, in
turn showing a romantic interest towards Dr. Chasuble

6. Compare and contrast Miss Prism and Lady Bracknell. What factors have shaped their values? Both have hints of
insensitivity, Miss Prism showing him the moment he puts Jack in a bag when he was just a baby, Lady Bracknell shows
her insensitivity to the moment of incomprehension towards the pain that Jack felt for having lost his parents. They
differ in that Lady Bracknell feels nothing romantic towards anyone, not so Miss Prism with Dr. Both are contrary in that
Lady Bracknell is married and has a high position, Miss Prism no, she is single, of a low condition and compensates
having a high vocabulary and a lot of knowledge

7. What is Miss Prism referring to when she says, “I have often spoken to the poorer classes on the subject
[christenings]. But they don’t seem to know what thrift is”? What does her comment reveal about her attitudes toward
the lower class? she values them as less, sees them as something miserable, since she considers that they are unable to
control their own resources

8. What is the significance of a christening? Why are people often christened at birth? It is to give babies a "Christian"
name at the time of baptism. It is done since they are small since, it is the way that people will have to name them, if a
name was not given, it could only be known by surnames, the brothers would not know who he was referring to, that is
why they were given a name, something that remains to date, but with infinite variations of names, of languages,
sometimes different from the one spoken where they were born
9. Responding to Jack’s comment about him being overdressed, Algernon says, “If I am occasionally a little over-dressed,
I make up for it by being always immensely overeducated.” Algernon’s character might be described as a “dandy”--a
person for whom appearance is of the upmost importance. How does Algernon’s comment reflect Wilde’s views on
aesthetics? that a person’s dress and manner of being is important, the aesthetics that someone can provide towards
another is relevant since that can give a status, sometimes false, towards others and position it well

10. In what ways is Cecily’s personality different from Gwendolen’s? They differed in that one, Gwendolen, lives in the
city, with a little luxuries and more affluent, and the other, Cecily, lives in the countryside, one has a fantasy mentality
while the other has a socialist empowerment mentality.

11. Why does Cecily say she was engaged to “Ernest” (Algernon) before she ever met him in person? Because she might
have wanted it and that’s why she invited a story where he declared himself, knowing she declared herself, at one point
she started to write letters to herself but as if Ernest had written them

12. How does Cecily’s diary mirror Jack’s brother and Algernon’s invalid friend? Reflects how everyone is living a double
life

13. What is humorous about Algernon’s line “Half of the chaps who get into the Bankruptcy Court are called Algernon”?
The dramatic irony in the scene is that the name Algernon’s is Ernest. And it turns out that he tries to convince her that
Algernon in a very nice name

14. Why do Gwendolen and Cecily want to marry an “Ernest”? He is a very nice guy, produces some tingling in them,
gives them total confidence and he takes pity on the women that her husband is not called Ernest

15. What is Wilde’s view towards formal education? Wilde could be considered to see it as something bad, he shows a
negative consideration as it implies that the school limits people, that does not allow freedom of emotions and only
control

16) Why do Cecily and Gwendolen keep diaries? What’s the purpose of a diary for young women during this time? Keep
them since they might consider it nice to continue to express their fantasies and their ideas of life

17. How does Gwendolen’s assessment of her father’s status within his family stand in contrast to conventional Victorian
notions of gender? Gwendolen’s assessment of her father’s state is very different from the "normal" life of the Victorian
era, since at that time man always had to be the leader or the head, which is not the case with him

18. How does the scene between Cecily and Gwendolen exemplify the Comedy of Manners genre?

19. After Jack and Algernon’s lies are revealed, how does Wilde use triviality to keep the play from becoming too
“serious”?

20. Is it completely absurd for Jack and Algernon to change their names to Ernest in order for Gwendolen and Cecily to
marry them? Can you think of other changes (i.e. religion, occupation, residence) individuals living in contemporary
society might make to be a suitable mate for their intended partner?

Act III
1. What effect does Lady Bracknell’s appearance have on the newly reconciled lovers?

2. How does Jack convince Lady Bracknell that Cecily is a suitable wife for her nephew Algernon?

3. How is Lady Bracknell’s monologue reacting to Cecily’s inheritance a way of Wilde mocking the hypocrisy of Victorian
society?
4. What is ironic about Lady Bracknell saying, “To speak frankly, I am not in favor of long engagements. They give people
the opportunity of finding out each other’s character before marriage, which I think is never advisable”?

5. How does exaggeration contribute to the humor in the discussion of Algernon’s engagement to Cecily?

6. After Jack learns the truth of his birth, he excitedly embraces Miss Prism and comments on the double standards
between men and women. What statement, if any, do you think Wilde is trying to make about gender inequalities?

7. What do we learn about Jack’s birth father?

8. 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.” What is Wilde’s opinion about honesty?

9. What does Lady Bracknell mean when she tells Algernon that he seems “to be displaying signs of triviality”?

10. Rank the characters in order from most to least earnest or moral. What are the standards on which you have based
your rankings?

11. Why does Wilde title the play “The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People”?

1. Why is Jack not allowed to marry Gwendolen?

A. He is already married
B. Her mother does not approve
C. He is her brother

2. What does Algernon find that leads him to believe jack “Ernest” has another life?
A. A letter, addressed to Ernest
B. A handkerchief with the initials “J.W.”
C. A cigarette case with “Uncle Jack” engraved into it

3. Whom does Algernon think should set an example for the upper class?
A. The lower classes
B. The prime-minister
C. The queen

4. Whom does Cecily wish would visit?

A. Gwendolen
B. Miss Prism
C. Ernest

5. Where has Cecily recorded her engagement to Algernon, “Ernest”

A. The local newspaper
B. A letter to her mother
C. Her diary

6. Whom does Algernon leave Cecily to see?

A. Chasuble
B. Lady Bracknell
C. Jack

7. What do Cecily and Gwendolen compare?

A. Engagement rings
B. Diaries
C. Parasols

8. Over what/whom do Jack and Algernon fight at the end of Act II?
A. Who is allowed to be christened “Ernest”
B. Muffins
C. Cecily

9. What surprise guest arrives in Act III?

A. Lady Bracknell
B. Jack’s real mother
C. Gwendolen’s maid

10. How did this surprise guest attain the address?

A. The phone book
B. By following Algernon
C. Gwendolen’s maid

11. Who is Algernon’s imaginary friend?

A. Bernard
B. Billy
C. Bunbury

12. Why does Algernon say he must visit this friend?

A. Because he is frequently ill
B. Because he is lonely
C. Because they are working on a novel together

13. Who is Jack’s real mother?

A. Lady Bracknell
B. Lady Bracknell’s sister
C. Miss Prism

14 Where was Jack discovered as an infant?

A. Victoria Station
B. In a baby carriage
C. On a train

15. What is Jack’s birth name?

A. John Worthing
B. Algernon Worthing
C. Ernest Worthing
 F. She is her servant

F. She is Jack’s ward

T
 1. Why does Lane think it isn’t polite to listen to Algernon’s piano-playing?
 Because Lane is only a servant

 Because Algernon plays so badly

 Because Lane is tone deaf

 Because he knows Algernon is shy about his playing

2. What does Algernon tell Jack he has always suspected him of being?
 A Communist

 A Liberal Unionist

 A Bunburyist

 A Tory

3. What leads Algernon to think Jack is leading a double life?

 A letter

 A diary

 An inscription

 A handkerchief embroidered with strawberries

 4. What does Jack say it is a very ungentlemanly thing to read?
 Gwendolen’s diary

 French drama

 More than half of modern literature

 A private cigarette case

5. At first, Jack tells Algernon that Cecily is his what?

 Sister

 Aunt

 Hair colorist

 Former governess

6. What does Algernon mean when he says that Lady Bracknell rings the doorbell in a
“Wagnerian manner”?
 That she is humming “The Ride of the Valkyrie”

 That she is dressed up like one of the Valkyrie

 That she rings insistently, leaving her finger on the bell for a long time

 That she has a tendency to burst into song

7. Why does Lane claim that there were “no cucumbers at the market”?
 Because he thinks Algernon should go on a high-protein diet

 Because Algernon has eaten all the cucumber sandwiches himself

 Because he wants to get Algernon off the hook

 B and C

8. What does Gwendolen say they live in?

 A pigsty

 An age of ideals

 A house in Shropshire

 An age of surfaces

9. What does Gwendolen say the name Ernest produces?

 Vibrations

 Suspicions

 Absolute confidence

 A and C

10. What is Lady Bracknell’s reaction when Jack admits to her that he smokes?
 Shock

 Disgust

 Approval

 A coughing fit

11. Where did old Mr. Thomas Cardew find Jack as a baby?
 In a cloakroom at a railway station

 Shropshire

 A foundling hospital

 The British Museum

12. What is Lady Bracknell’s objection to Jack as a prospective suitor to Gwendolen?

 His smoking
 His lack of an occupation

 His origins

 His politics

13. What does Algernon begin playing offstage at the conclusion of Jack’s interview with
Lady Bracknell?
 A funeral march

 “The Wedding March”

 “We Are the Champions”

 “The Ride of the Valkyrie”

14. What is Gwendolen’s response to the story of Jack’s origins?

 She is shocked

 She is disgusted

 She thinks it’s romantic

 She thinks it’s a hoot

15. Who does Algernon think ought to set an example for the upper classes?
 The prime minister

 The lower classes

 The queen

 The clergy

16. What does Jack call Lady Bracknell behind her back?
 A Gorgon
 An organ

 A Liberal Unionist

 A Bunburyist

17. Why hasn’t Jack told Gwendolen that he has an excessively pretty young ward?
 Because Gwendolen might be jealous

 Because Gwendolen might want to borrow some of her clothes

 Because Gwendolen’s brother Gerald might want to meet her

 Because Gwendolen herself is extremely unattractive

18. What is the name of Algernon’s imaginary friend?

 Harbury

 Bunbury

 Markby

 Bunberry

19. Where is Jack’s house in the country?

 Shropshire

 Hertfordshire

 Worthing

 Sussex

20. Why is Cecily nervous about meeting Jack’s brother Ernest?

 Because he’s wicked

 Because he’ll find out about their engagement

 Because she’s afraid he’ll look different from other people

 Because she’s afraid he’ll look just like everyone else

21. Where has Cecily recorded her engagement to Jack’s brother Ernest?
 In the

 In the family bible

 In a letter to her mother

 In her diary

22. Why has Cecily broken off her engagement to Algernon?

 She discovered that Jack’s brother is more wicked than she thought

 She discovered that Jack’s brother is less wicked than she thought

 She felt it couldn’t be a really serious engagement otherwise

 She had met someone else

23. Why does Gwendolen never travel without her diary?

 She is trying to come to terms with herself

 She has a poor memory

 She hopes to turn it into a three-volume novel

 One should always have something sensational to read on the train

24. Why does Gwendolen tell Cecily that cake and sugar are no longer fashionable?
 She wants to give her friendly advice

 She thinks Cecily herself could stand to lose a few pounds

 She is on a high-protein diet

 She wants to insult Cecily

25. Why does Cecily put sugar in Gwendolen’s tea?

 She doesn’t hear what Gwendolen said

 She doesn’t understand what Gwendolen said

 She disagrees with what Gwendolen said

 She wants to insult Gwendolen