KEY TO THE ACTIVITIES

Key to the exercises ACT I page 19 exercise 1

1. upper-class ambience
page 7 2. is playing the piano
NAME: Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills 3. servant
Wilde 4. light and superficial
DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH: 16 October
1854 in Dublin, Ireland page 55
DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH: 30 1. EARNEST means serious, sincere,
November 1900 in Paris, France determined.
HIS PERSONALITY: eccentric, stylish, ERNEST is a man’s name
witty, intelligent, interested in the
pursuit of beauty page 56
HIS ONLY NOVEL: The Picture of Dorian 2. Comedy of Manners
Gray 3. Yes, the words trivial and serious are
OTHER PROSE WORKS: The Happy practically opposites; serious people
Prince and other Tales, The House of are not interested in trivial things.
Pomegranates, Intentions
HIS PLAYS: The Importance of Being page 57 exercise 1
Earnest, Salome, Lady Windermere’s a. with wonderful expression
Fan, A Woman of No Importance, b. rarely of a first-rate brand
An Ideal Husband c. in London/Hertfordshire
HIS MASTERPIECE: The Importance of d. Jack
Being Earnest e. Lady Bracknell
HIS LEGAL PROBLEM: accused of f. bread and butter
homosexual behaviour g. ‘From little Cecily with her fondest
HIS LAST WORKS: De Profundis, The love.’
Ballad of Reading Gaol h. Mr Ernest Worthing
page 10 page 58 exercise 3
1. True a. True b. False c. False
2. True d. True e. True f. False

The Importance 3. False - English audiences were

disrespectful
4. False - They liked low-quality
g. True

page 59 exercise 1

of Being Earnest melodrama and farce

5. True
6. False - Things got better for the
a. Lady Bracknell
c. Algernon
e. Gwendolen
b. Lane
d. Jack
f. Bunbury
English theatre
7. False - It was artistically uneventful page 60 exercise 2
8. True
a. subservient, humble
page 13 b. distant, detached
c. straightforward, in love
1. c 2. a 3. b
d. self-centred, self-assured
4. c 5. b 6. a
e. frivolous, superficial
7. b 8. c
f. unhealthy, weak

II 2
 KEY TO THE ACTIVITIES
page 61 exercise 3
They are both witty; they both tell lies
with great ease; they are both
Bunburyists.
Jack is romantic, straightforward and
not cynical.
page 61 exercise 4
aristocratic / proud / narrow-minded /
rigidity / education / danger
He is saying that education in the
Victorian Age was very conservative
and did not encourage liberal thinking.
The purpose of education was to
indoctrinate with certain rigid ideas,
that did not allow innovative thought.
page 61 exercise 5
arrogant-absurd-disdainful-snobbish-
materialistic
page 61 exercise 6
Gwendolen is superficial, frivolous and
absurd.
Understanding the plot
page 62 exercise 1
A the piano playing
B Cucumber sandwiches for Lady
Bracknell
C bottles of champagne that were
consumed
D married households
E marriage and Lane’s household
page 62 exercise 2
He judges them as being without a
sense of moral responsibility and of
little use.
page 62 exercise 3
in the country/excessively boring
3 4
page 62 exercise 4
to propose to Gwendolen
page 62 exercise 5
girls never marry the men they flirt with
page 63 exercise 6
a. His real name is Ernest
b. Mr Thomas Cardew adopted him
when he was a little boy
c. Miss Cecily Cardew is Mr Thomas
Cardew’s grand-daughter; Jack is
her guardian
d. Miss Prism is Miss Cecily Cardew’s
admirable governess
page 63 exercise 7
Jack / Ernest / Algernon / Bunbury
page 63 exercise 8
to have an excuse to get away from
the routine of social duties
page 63 exercise 9
because marriage would be tedious
without Bunburying, and in married life
three is company and two is none.
page 63 exercise 10
Cecily is a little too interested in Ernest
page 64 exercise 11
a. The conversation is quite comical
because Lady Bracknell’s comments
are the exact opposite of what one
would expect after a visit to a
widow.
b. Algernon’s presence is important
because he is part of her seating
arrangement plan, which she
doesn’t want to spoil.
c. Since Algernon is not interested in
dining with his aunt, he pulls out his
usual excuse: Bunbury, the invalid
friend.
KEY TO THE ACTIVITIES
d. Her comments are ridiculous,
senseless and confirm her uncaring
nature.
page 64 exercise 12
He begins talking about the weather,
but then he tells Gwendolen that he
loves her and wants to marry her at
once. He then gets down on his knees
and proposes to her.
page 64 exercise 13
Gwendolen’s ideal has always been to
love a man called Ernest.
page 64 exercise 14
Gwendolen doesn’t actually say so at this
point. She immediately says that it is a
metaphysical speculation that has little
reference with real life, but she is
convinced that his name is Ernest.
page 64 exercise 15
Gwendolen says that she wishes Jack
had been more demonstrative with his
admiration in public. She hopes that Jack
will always look at her in a romantic
way, especially when there are other
people present. Gwendolen asks
Algernon to turn his back while she is
saying something very particular to Jack,
which is clearly only a matter of
appearance and form, because
Algernon can hear her anyway.
page 64 exercise 16
Open answer.
page 65 exercise 17
a. he smokes
b. twenty-nine
c. he knows nothing
d. between £7,000 and £8,000 a
year
e. a country house with about 1,500
acres of land, and a townhouse in
Belgrave Square
f. he is a Liberal Unionist
g. he has no parents and no real
family, although he was adopted
by Mr Thomas Cardew
h. he doesn’t really know where he
was born, but only where he was
found
page 65 exercise 18
Jack has no parents; in other words, no
social identity
page 65 exercise 19
eternal devotion
page 65 exercise 20
she wants to communicate with him
page 65 exercise 21
Algernon is interested in Jack’s country
address because he wants to find out
more about his life in the country, and
about Cecily.
Language and themes
page 66 exercise 1
a. marriages b. letter
c. older d. grey
e. old
page 67 exercise 2
a. Algernon interprets morality as
something full of contradictions, to
be taken lightly and used to one’s
pleasure. Jack interprets morality in
a more confining, traditional way.
b. Algernon sees an engagement as
something dull and unromantic,
that he would prefer to avoid. Jack
and Gwendolen, instead, see it as
 KEY TO THE ACTIVITIES
a wonderfully romantic period in
one’s life. Lady Bracknell considers
an engagement as something that
should be decided by the parents
and should come as a surprise to
the girl.
c. Algernon sees marriage as a
tedious, boring institution that
requires the presence of a Bunbury
to make it bearable. Jack and
Gwendolen are in love and look
forward to their marriage. Lady
Bracknell treats marriage like a
business deal, looking for the most
economically advantageous and
socially suitable man for her
daughter, Gwendolen.
d. A proposal of marriage is seen as
very unromantic by Algernon, since
he believes that the essence of
romance is uncertainty. Gwendolen
says that her brother Gerald actually
practises how to propose to a girl!
Jack thinks a proposal is something
important, and proposes in the
traditional, formal way by getting
down on his knees.
e. Jack is a romantic person and
believes in love. Algernon openly
says that ‘the only way to behave
to a woman is to make love to her,
if she is pretty, and to some one
else, if she is plain.’ Gwendolen is
able to fall in love with a name:
Ernest! She is convinced that she is
destined to love someone called
Ernest.
f. It is evident that Algernon and Lady
Bracknell are snobs who consider
the lower classes inferior and
unworthy of an education. Their
attitude was common in the
Victorian Age. Lady Bracknell thinks
an education would be a serious
danger to the upper classes! She
5 6
doesn’t want her daughter to marry
Jack because he has no social
identity. Lane, the manservant, is
the living example of the
relationship between a servant
and his master. Lane, who
belongs to the lower classes, is
subservient and humble.
page 67 exercise 3
b. ‘I am pleased to hear it. I do not
approve of anything that tampers
with natural ignorance.’ (Referred
to whether Jack knows everything
or nothing.)
c. ‘Ah, nowadays that is no
guarantee of respectability of
character.’ (Referred to the fact
that Lady Bloxham goes about
very little and is considerably
advanced in years.)
d. ‘To lose one parent, Mr Worthing,
may be regarded as a misfortune;
to lose both looks like
carelessness.’ (Referred to the fact
that Jack has no parents.)
e. ‘I strongly advise you, Mr Worthing,
to try and acquire some relations
as soon as possible, and to make
a definite effort to produce at any
rate one parent, of either sex,
before the season is quite over.’
(Referred to the fact that Jack has
no family or parents.)
page 68 exercise 4
b. ...he happened to have a first-class
ticket for Worthing in his pocket at
the time.
c. ...a somewhat large, black leather
hand-bag, with handles to it – an
ordinary hand-bag in fact.
d. The Brighton line.
e. He can produce the hand-bag at
any moment.
KEY TO THE ACTIVITIES
page 68 exercises 5, 6, 7 page 112 exercise 3
Open answers. chasuble: a loose-fitting garment
without sleeves, worn by some
Christian priests at religious services.
Summary of Act One
prism: a solid geometric figure with a
flat base and parallel upright
page 69
edges.
Moncrieff / luxurious / London / Jack /
country / Ernest / identity / cigarette Miss Prism is a Victorian moralist with
case / ward / invented / Bunbury / very clear-cut ideas. She is very direct in
imaginary / boring / Gwendolen / her ways and can be bitter and
advantage / accepts / Ernest / uncaring. She is very prim.
christened / engagement / hand-bag Rev. Chasuble is the typical, tactful
/ decision / shirt-cuff Victorian clergyman, who is tempted
by worldly things. He is prim and ready
to please.
ACT II page 112 exercise 4
physical appearance: she is young and
page 110 exercise 1 very pretty
a. Merriman age: 18 years old
b. that a wicked person will look just character traits: lively, clever, witty, self-
like everyone else confident, determined, ironic
c. it is important not to keep them
d. has no taste in neckties Understanding the plot
e. a pink rose
page 113 exercise 1
page 111 exercise 3 serious, responsible, of grave
a. True demeanour
b. True
page 113 exercise 2
c. False
d. False because she knows German and
e. True geology
page 113 exercise 3
Getting to know the characters two possible answers
- her closely guarded secrets
page 112 exercise 1 - things that have never happened
a. Merriman
b. Miss Prism page 113 exercise 4
c. Cecily They enjoy each other’s company, and
d. Rev. Chasuble they are attracted to each other. Miss
Prism thinks he should get married.
page 112 exercise 2
Manor House, Woolton
 KEY TO THE ACTIVITIES
page 113 exercise 5
frightened
page 114 exercise 6
until Monday morning
page 114 exercise 7
It was a place where convicts and
other undesirable people were sent to
live.
page 114 exercise 8
She is trying to convince him to get
married.
‘That is obviously the reason why the
Primitive Church has not lasted up to
the present day.’
‘And you do not seem to realise, dear
Doctor, that by persistently remaining
single, a man converts himself into a
permanent public temptation. Men
should be more careful; this very
celibacy leads weaker vessels astray.’
‘No married man is ever attractive
except to his wife.’
‘Maturity can always be depended on.
Ripeness can be trusted.’
page 114 exercise 9
his brother Ernest just died in Paris
page 114 exercise 10
‘What a lesson for him! I trust he will
profit by it.’
‘As a man sows, so shall he reap.’
page 114 exercise 11
He wants to be christened because
Gwendolen can only love a man
called Ernest.
page 115 exercise 12
surprise, anger, embarrassment, fury
7 8
page 115 exercise 13
he wanted to communicate his
intention to lead a better life
page 115 exercise 14
reconcile
page 115 exercise 15
Cecily’s diary: She keeps a diary of her
thoughts and impressions, and
doesn’t want Algernon to look at it,
but she hopes he will order a copy
when it appears in volume form!
She copies Algernon’s compliments
in her diary, word for word.
length of their engagement: They
have been engaged for three
months, but the engagement took
place without Algernon’s
knowledge! The engagement was
Cecily’s fantasy since she had never
met her fiancé.
love token: Cecily bought a ring and a
bangle with the true lover’s knot as
love tokens.
love letters: Cecily wrote Algernon’s
love letters and now keeps them in
a box.
name: Cecily’s dream has always been
to love someone whose name is
Ernest.
christening: Algernon decides to be
christened with the name Ernest.
page 116 exercise 16
Cecily loved Ernest/Algernon before
meeting him! Now that she has met
him, her feelings are fully confirmed.
But her love depends on the fact that
his name is Ernest, otherwise her love
would become respect and
admiration.
KEY TO THE ACTIVITIES
page 116 exercise 17 page 117 exercise 25
an elderly philanthropic worker he is enjoying himself immensely
page 116 exercise 18 page 118 exercise 26
hypocritically, politely sits down calmly and eats muffins
The moment they introduce themselves
Gwendolen says that they are going to
Summary of Act Two
be great friends and that she likes Cecily
more than she can say. This behaviour is page 118
hypocritical on Gwendolen’s part. All a. False - Miss Prism is Cecily’s
through their initial conversation, there is governess
a desire on Gwendolen’s part to b. True
dominate the situation. c. False - He says he died in Paris
At the beginning of their ‘friendship’ d. True
Cecily says ‘How nice of you to like me e. False - They immediately get on
so much after we have known each well together
other such a comparatively short time.’ f. True
Cecily feels that Gwendolen wants to g. False - She gives her sugared tea
dominate her and she doesn’t want this. and cake specifically because she
Therefore, Cecily becomes ironic. wanted something else
h. True
page 116 exercise 19
i. True
snobbishness, anger, rivalry, jealousy /
because they think they are both
engaged to the same man. Language and themes
page 116 exercise 20 page 119 exercise 1
discuss life in the country Open answer.
page 117 exercise 21 page 119 exercise 2
Cecily gives Gwendolen tea with sugar, Miss Prism to Rev. Chasuble: ‘A
and a large slice of cake, although she misanthrope I can understand – a
specifically asked for tea without sugar womanthrope, never!’
and bread and butter. Algernon to Jack: ‘Well, I don’t like
your clothes. You look perfectly
page 117 exercise 22 ridiculous in them.’
that he has no brother named Ernest ‘I never saw anybody take so long to
dress, and with such little result.’ Jack to
page 117 exercise 23 Algernon ‘You seem to be perfectly
heartless.’
‘My poor wounded Cecily!’
‘Your vanity is ridiculous, your conduct
‘My sweet wronged Gwendolen!’
an outrage, and your presence in my
page 117 exercise 24 garden utterly absurd.’
men are cowardly
 KEY TO THE ACTIVITIES KEY TO THE ACTIVITIES

page 120 exercise 3 Rev. Chasuble seems to think of the good people at a moment’s notice.’ young and very attractive. She begins
the name Ernest inspires confidence in imminent burial as an occasion to (page 73) to get agitated and becomes more
both women deliver another excellent sermon. - ‘What a lesson for him! I trust he will dominating and pompous. She sounds
both men have a double identity Through Rev. Chasuble, Wilde implies profit by it.’ (page 82) a lot like her mother, Lady Bracknell.
both men want to be christened that a sermon, which should have a When she finds out that Cecily is
both men are Bunburyists specific meaning for a specific Algernon: engaged to Ernest: Gwendolen is
both men lie with great ease occasion, can be used for all types of - ‘I never have any appetite unless I outraged, and becomes aggressive
both men find that there is an obstacle events: christenings, celebrations, have a buttonhole first.’ (page 79) and insulting. She makes known her
in their plans to marry their loved one funerals, etc. - ‘I certainly won’t leave you so long as social superiority. The two ‘friends’
both men defend their real names Christening is presented as something you are in mourning.’ (page 89) become rivals! It is interesting to note
neither Jack nor Cecily have parents to be taken lightly. - ‘Yes, darling, with a little help from that Gwendolen offers more insults, but
in both acts there is a discussion about others.’ (page 93) Cecily wins the verbal battle with her
page 123 exercise 7 calm demeanour and irony.
the food served at tea time
Some examples of absurd comments: Chasuble:
page 120 exercise 4 Cecily: - ‘None of us are perfect. I myself am page 124 exercise 10
Open answers. - ‘I know perfectly well that I look peculiarly susceptible to draughts.’ incoherent
quite plain after my German lesson.’ (page 82) When Gwendolen first meets Cecily she
page 121 exercise 5 (page 72) - ‘My sermon on the meaning of the says, ‘...we are going to be great
- ‘You know German, and geology, manna in the wilderness can be friends. I like you already more than I
Country City and things of that kind influence a adapted to almost any occasion.’ can say; My first impressions of people
naive noisy man very much.’ (page 72) (pages 82-3) are never wrong.’ After a short while
quiet transportation - ‘I don’t like novels that end happily. - ‘Sprinkling is all that is necessary, or she says, ‘From the moment I saw you I
peaceful traffic They depress me so much.’ indeed I think advisable. Our distrusted you. I felt that you were false
agriculture factories (page 73) weather is so changeable.’ and deceitful. I am never deceived in
vegetation cement - ‘Well, I know, of course, how (page 84) such matters. My first impressions of
meditation skyscrapers important it is not to keep a business people are invariably right.’
Cecily said the greatest number of
solitude fashion engagement, if one wants to retain
absurdities. page 124 exercise 11
nature pollution any sense of the beauty of life.’
uncontaminated slums (page 78) page 123 exercise 8 ‘Perhaps this might be a favourable
farms business - ‘I don’t think it can be right for you to opportunity for my mentioning who I
Another example is when Cecily and
concerts talk to me like that. Miss Prism never am. My father is Lord Bracknell. You
Gwendolen meet and then think that
says such things to me.’ (page 79) have never heard of papa, I suppose?’
they are engaged to the same man,
No, because she is witty, clever, and - ‘I don’t know how to spell a cough.’ When Cecily talks about a spade,
Ernest.
very adroit with words. She is not the (page 91) Gwendolen says, ‘I am glad to say that
peaceful, placid, innocent country girl. - ‘It’s the excuse I’ve always given for page 123 exercise 9 I have never seen a spade. It is obvious
your leading such a bad life.’ that our social spheres have been
page 122 exercise 6 When Gwendolen first meets Cecily:
(page 92) widely different.’
Although the first part of their
Open answers. - ‘Oh, yes. Dr Chasuble is a most ‘The country always bores me to
conversation is tinged with hypocrisy, a
Dr. Chasuble: ‘...I would hang upon her learned man. He has never written a death.’
general atmosphere of extreme
lips’ single book, so you can imagine ‘Sugar is not fashionable any more.’
politeness pervades. Gwendolen wants
Miss Prism: ‘You are too much alone, how much he knows.’ (page 95) ‘Cake is rarely seen at the best houses
to dominate the situation, however.
dear Dr. Chasuble. You should get nowadays.’
When she finds out that Cecily is Mr
married.’ — ‘Maturity can always be Miss Prism:
Worthing’s ward: Gwendolen is visibly
depended on. Ripeness can be - ‘I am not in favour of this modern
bothered by this fact, because Cecily is
trusted. Young women are green.’ mania for turning bad people into

9 10
 KEY TO THE ACTIVITIES KEY TO THE ACTIVITIES

ACT III ‘Ah! A life crowded with incident, I page 151 exercise 18 Language and themes
see...’ Twenty-eight years ago Miss Prism took a
‘Miss Cardew seems to me a most page 154 exercise 1
Understanding the plot baby out in its pram. By mistake she put
attractive young lady, now that I look the baby in her black handbag, and her b. When Algernon asks Jack about
page 148 exercise 1 at her.’ manuscript in the pram. She then Cecily, Jack initially denies knowing
they feel neglected by their fiancés ‘There are distinct social possibilities in deposited the handbag, with the baby, her.
Miss Cardew’s profile.’ in the cloak room at Victoria Station. c. Jack lies to Algernon about his
page 148 exercise 2 address in the country.
page 150 exercise 10 page 151 exercise 19 d. Algernon lies to Aunt Augusta
sense of shame: ‘they did not follow us
at once into the house’ her fortune an old handbag about having to go to visit Bunbury,
repentance: ‘they have been eating an imaginary character.
page 150 exercise 11 page 151 exercise 20 e. Both men lie to their fiancées about
muffins’
forwardness: ‘They’re approaching.’ they give people the opportunity to because he thinks she is his mother their Christian names.
find out each other’s character before f. Jack lies to Cecily and Miss Prism
page 148 exercise 3 marriage page 151 exercise 21 about his imaginary brother, Ernest,
Cecily asks Algernon, ‘Why did you he is the son of Lady Bracknell’s sister, and about his death in Paris
page 150 exercise 12 g. Algernon lies to Cecily about his
pretend to be my guardian’s brother?’ Mrs Moncrieff, and consequently,
Gwendolen asks Jack, ‘Mr. Worthing, He disapproves of his moral character Algernon’s brother. identity.
what explanation can you offer to me and suspects him of being untruthful.
page 152 exercise 22 page 154 exercise 2
for pretending to have a brother?’
page 150 exercise 13 b. marriage / celibacy
with his father’s name
page 148 exercise 4 at 35 c. fiction / reality
their Christian names page 152 exercise 23 d. formality / spontaneity
page 150 exercise 14 e. truth / lies
The Army Lists reveal that Jack’s father
page 149 exercise 5 she feels that at thirty-five Cecily will still was a General and his Christian name f. trivial / serious
a terrible, fearful ordeal be attractive and will have a larger was Ernest. g. lower classes / aristocracy
fortune
page 149 exercise 6 page 152 exercise 24 page 155 exercise 3
page 150 exercise 15 No. Their character traits, behaviour and
attending a lengthy lecture Ernest John
Jack will consent to Algernon’s way of thinking and speaking remain
page 149 exercise 7 marriage with Cecily if Lady Bracknell the same all through the play.
will consent to his marriage with Summary of Act Three
relieved and glad
Gwendolen. page 156 exercise 4
page 152
page 149 exercise 8 They are superficial, ruthless when
page 151 exercise 16 drawing room / angry / reconcile necessary, and determined to get their
because Jack, her guardian, was found christened / arrival / luggage / Bunbury
in Victoria Station she refuses way.
/ Cecily / investigates / fortune /
page 151 exercise 17 guardian / consent / refuses / page 156 exercises 5, 6
page 149 exercise 9
christenings / called off / uneasy / baby
‘Three addresses always inspire Dr. Chasuble: cultivated; picture of Open answers.
/ house / manuscript / distractedly /
confidence,...’ respectability handbag / Victoria Station / rushes / page 156-7 exercise 7
‘A firm of the very highest position in Lady Bracknell: repellent aspect, handbag / handbag / mother / sister’s /
their profession. Indeed I am told that remotely connected with education Introduction pages 20 - 32
Gwendolen / name / eldest / general /
one of the Mr Markby’s is occasionally Complication pages 32 - 109
Jack: esteemed governess, valued couples
to be seen at dinner parties.’ Climax pages 125 - 143
companion
Resolution pages 144 - 146

11 12
 KEY TO THE ACTIVITIES
Theatrical genres (styles)
page 158 exercise 1
Wilde uses exaggerated characters,
typical of farce, such as Lady
Bracknell and Algernon, and ridicules
them by having them say
absurdities. One absurdity Lady
Bracknell says is, ‘Every man should
have an occupation,’ when Jack tells
her that he smokes. Wilde portrays
her as a snobbish, aristocratic
gorgon, who is fundamentally
vulgar. Algernon is another
exaggerated character and Wilde
ridicules his superficiality and
preoccupation with trivialities.
The question of mistaken identities is
an important theme of the play. For
example, Cecily thinks Algernon is
Jack’s brother Ernest.
In the episode of the handbag we
learn the secret of Miss Prism’s past,
an element of melodrama. In this
episode Wilde ridicules the
materialistic Victorian society by
putting the baby in a handbag,
where money is usually kept. We
find another element of melodrama
in the episode of the cigarette case,
which is considered ‘incriminating
evidence’.
All through the play, the characters
repeat themselves, another
technique of farce.
page 158 exercise 2
Jack’s search of identity is a feature
of Absurd Drama.
page 159 exercise 3
Love letters, love tokens and even
engagements are ridiculed in
different ways.
13
page 159 exercise 4
Some satirical examples are:
a. Victorian earnestness: Cecily and
Gwendolen can only love a man
named Ernest. To them the name
Ernest inspires confidence. It
symbolises everything they desire
in a man: sincerity and
seriousness.
As far as being sincere is
concerned, neither Ernest was
earnest at the beginning of the
play!
Earnestness is constantly ridiculed
because everything that is
considered serious is taken lightly,
and everything that is considered
light is taken seriously.
b. Institutions: marriage - Marriage is
seen as a business transaction by
Lady Bracknell. She is solely
interested in financial gain and
social prestige for Gwendolen.
She has the audacity to say, ‘But I
do not approve of mercenary
marriages.’ She never discusses
love when she talks about
marriage.
In Act I Lane talks about
marriage as ‘a misunder-
standing’ between himself and
another person and states that his
family life is not a very interesting
subject.
family - When Gwendolen says,
‘The home seems to me to be
the proper sphere for the man,’
and ‘...once a man begins to
neglect his domestic duties he
becomes painfully effeminate,
does he not?’ she upsets the
Victorian order of the male-
dominated family. In Lady
KEY TO THE ACTIVITIES
Bracknell’s case, it seems that the
husband remains home while she
is out socialising.
church - The church is portrayed
through Rev. Chasuble. Wilde
satirises christening and burial,
which are among the most
important services of the church.
Rev. Chasuble sees the burial
service as an opportunity to
deliver another excellent sermon.
Throughout the play the true
meaning of christening is lost,
since it is taken lightly by all.
c. education: Lady Bracknell’s
comments on education (see
page 42) speak for themselves.
She feels that education would
be a serious danger for the upper
classes. Gwendolen’s comment
on her short-sightedness and on
her mother’s views of education,
(see page 97) satirise education
and learning in the Victorian era.
The conversation between Cecily
and Miss Prism about education is
also quite satirical.
d. morals: Lady Bracknell’s
comment, ‘The weak points in
our age are its want of principle
and its want of profile,’ clearly
shows that something as
superficial as ‘profile’ is given
equal value to something of
moral importance, such as
‘principle.’
Throughout the play, the
characters lie with ease. Lying is
not considered morally wrong.
Wilde shows that Victorian morals
were more a matter of
appearance than anything else.
14
e. wealth: material wealth was very
important in the Victorian Age.
Lady Bracknell’s attitude changes
when she finds out that Cecily is
wealthy. She says, ‘Few girls of
the present day have any really
solid qualities...’ By solid she
means money. When Lady
Bracknell ‘interviews’ Jack in Act
One, she asks him what his
income is and then inquires
about his property.
f. social class: Wilde satirises the
Victorian attitude towards social
class with Algernon’s comment,
‘Really, if the lower orders don’t
set us a good example, what on
earth is the use of them?’ Wilde
continues his satire when Lady
Bracknell doesn’t accept Jack as
Gwendolen’s suitor because he
doesn’t have a social identity.
The satire continues with
Gwendolen’s offensive comments
during her meeting with Cecily in
Act II, which are based on her
social superiority. All through the
play, the words ‘class’ or ‘classes’
are often mentioned and usually
in satirical situations.
page 160 exercise 5
Open answers.
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