The Importance of Being Earnest Oscar Wilde
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Transcript of The Importance of Being Earnest Oscar Wilde
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The Importance of Being Earnest Oscar Wilde
Introduction
Background
Discussion Starters
Menu
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The Importance of Being Earnest Oscar Wilde
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The Importance of Being Earnest: Introduction
Algernon and Jack may look like proper young Victorian gentlemen.
But each—unknown to the other—
is leading a double life.
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The Importance of Being Earnest: Introduction
Algernon has invented a sickly friend named Bunbury.
When Algernon wants to escape his social obligations in London, he “goes Bunburying.”
That is, he pretends to visit the ailing Bunbury in the country.
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The Importance of Being Earnest: Introduction
Jack’s situation is even more complicated.
A wealthy bachelor, he lives an upright life in the country.
He wants to set a proper example for Cecily, his young ward.
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The Importance of Being Earnest: Introduction
But Jack wants to have some fun too.
So he invents a wild brother named Ernest.
When Jack wants to go to London, he pretends he has to bail Ernest out of trouble.
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The Importance of Being Earnest: Introduction
In London, Jack pretends to be the bad boy Ernest.
Are you confused yet?
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The Importance of Being Earnest: Introduction
Imagine how “Ernest’s” fiancée, Gwendolen, feels when she learns he is really someone else!
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The Importance of Being Earnest: Introduction
Imagine how Cecily feels when she finally meets the charming Ernest,
but he turns out to be Ernest’s—or rather,
Jack’s—friend Algernon!
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The confusion and misunderstandings are all part of the fun.
The Importance of Being Earnest: Introduction
Will Gwendolen marry Jack even though he is not Ernest?
Will Algernon win the hand of the beautiful Cecily?
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The Importance of Being Earnest: Background
“Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about.”
—Oscar Wilde
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Oscar Wilde liked to make fun of upper-class Victorian society.
The Importance of Being Earnest: Background
In this play he pokes fun at
• strict Victorian social rules
• the shallowness of the idle rich
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The Importance of Being Earnest: Background
Wilde also pokes a bit of fun at himself.
Like Wilde, Algernon and Jack are dandies.
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The Importance of Being Earnest: Background
In Victorian times only men could be dandies. An authentic dandy
• enjoyed fine clothes and expensive habits
• spent most of his time socializing
• lived to have fun
• used refined language
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The Importance of Being Earnest: Background
A well-bred Victorian woman, on the other hand, was modest and reserved.
Few kinds of enjoyment were open to her outside the home.
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The Importance of Being Earnest: Background
Moreover, to achieve the fashionable 18- to 20-inch waist,
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The Importance of Being Earnest: Background
her corset often was so tight that she could barely breathe!
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The Importance of Being Earnest: Discussion Starters
Discuss (1)
• What qualities do you look for in friends and loved ones?
• Which of these standards are truly important?
• Which could you let go of for the right person?
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The Importance of Being Earnest: Discussion Starters
Discuss (2)
• What do you do when a social obligation conflicts with what you really want to do?
• Have you ever gotten into a scrape over a seemingly harmless white lie? How did you resolve the situation?