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A Student’s Companion toA Student’s Companion toA Student’s Companion to The Importance The Importance The Importance of Being Earnestof Being Earnestof Being Earnest

by Abigail E. Schoolfieldby Abigail E. Schoolfieldby Abigail E. Schoolfield

The Importance of Being Earnest / The Importance of Being Earnest /

Introduction to The Importance of Being Earnest

O SCAR WILDE’S actual name at birth was Oscar Fingall O’Flahertie Wills Wilde—a mouthful by any standard.

Wilde wrote several poems, the most famous being “The Ballad of Reading Gaol,” many plays, but only one novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray.

The play that you will be reading, The Importance of Being Earnest, has received mixed reviews. George Bernard Shaw stated that the play “amused me, of course; but unless comedy touches me as well as amuses me, it leaves me with a sense of having wasted my evening.” However, the play is arguably not a comedy, but a farce. If this is so, then a farce is not supposed to “touch” us. The whole idea of the farce is supposed to be absurd in that the silliness in the play must seem to impact the characters in a serious way. In fact, life is viewed as very trivial. When asked what philosophy the play espoused, Wilde expressed, “we should treat all the trivial things of life seriously, and all the serious things of life with sincere and studied triviality.”

The central male characters are bent upon flouting social mores, but the best that we can say about Jack and Algernon is that the one is guilty of laziness and other of gluttony. Yet lying seems to be the primary structure of the play. Jack creates a fictional brother who is an outcast so that he can go to the city from time to time. As for Algernon, he has an imaginative fellow who is called Bunbury, a poor invalid. In addition to these lies, Jack masquerades as Ernest in Act I and Algernon becomes Ernest in Act II. But because of these lies, Jack discovers his true self.

In spite of the façade of wanting to revel in pleasure and wickedness, both men truly desire to find wives. The absurdity is increased when we learn that both Gwendolen and Cecily have rather imaginative diaries. Both of these women want husbands, but under the condition that the man they will marry must have the name of Ernest. Gwendolen believes that the name Ernest represents stability and security, while Cecily associates the name with Jack’s misfit “brother.”

The Importance of Being Earnest is unique not only as making fun of society, but arguably of drama during Wilde’s lifetime as well. ROBERT W. WATSON

The Importance of Being Earnest / 2 2 / The Importance of Being Earnest / 2

The Importance of Being Earnest Lesson One

1.1 Vocabulary

forte n. vulgar adj. conduce v. tedious adj. 1.2 Vocabulary Exercise: Circle the word that does not belong with the other words in the same line.

1. forte skill aptitude stockade

2. vulgar common stylish boorish

3. conduce contribute leads charge

4. tedious adroit tiresome boring 1.3 Reading Assignment: The Importance of Being Earnest, pp. 1-8 1.4 Recall Questions 1. When he tells Algernon that he was once married, how does Lane say it happened?

2. When Jack comes to see Algernon, where does he say he has been?

3. What does Jack say one does in the city and in the country?

4. For whom is Algernon preparing sandwiches?

5. Why does Algernon believe his aunt will not approve of Jack’s being at his house?

6. Why has Jack come to town from the country?

7. What token of Jack’s does Algernon have that reveals the existence of Cecily?

8. Who does Jack say Cecily is?

9. What does Cecily call Jack in the cigarette case and how does that let Algernon know Jack is lying?

The Importance of Being Earnest / 3 The Importance of Being Earnest / 3

10. Why is Jack called “Ernest” in the city and “Jack” in the country?

11. Whom does Jack admit Cecily really is?

12. What is the name of Algernon’s fictional invalid friend?

13. What reasons does Algernon give for wanting to dine with Jack instead of his aunt?

14. What does Algernon make Jack promise him in return for giving Jack time alone with Gwendolen?

1.5 Critical Thinking

Are Jack and Algernon contented with their lives? Why or why not?

Explain how deceptions are important at the beginning of this play.


The Importance of Being Earnest Lesson Two

2.1 Vocabulary

expurgation n. metaphysical adj. recumbent adj. profligate adj. 2.2 Vocabulary Exercise

1. By noontime, the workers in the hot fields were thankful for a respite by assuming a _____________________ position under the nearest tree.

2. The explanation for why Candi was late to class was so ____________________ that the teacher was uncertain what the tardy student meant.

3. John’s grandfather worked for the government censurers during World War II; Mr. Marshall directed the _________________ of offensive material from books before publication.

4. My ____________________ brother wasted his inheritance by betting at the race track. 2.3 Reading Assignment: The Importance of Being Earnest, pp. 8-19 2.4 Recall Questions 1. What reason does Algernon give Lady Bracknell for not being able to dine with her?

2. What is it about Jack that Gwendolen says she loves?

3. When Jack proposes to Gwendolen, what is her answer?

4. Lady Bracknell wants to ask Jack some questions to see if she approves of him. How old is Jack?

5. When she asks him if he knows everything or nothing, what is his answer?

6. Where are Jack’s parents?

7. Who found Jack, and how did he get his last name?

8. Where was Jack found?

9. How does Lady Bracknell feel about Jack’s background, and what does she advise him to do?


10. What does Jack decide to do with his imaginary brother?

11. Why does Jack not want Algernon to meet Cecily?

12. Gwendolen returns to tell Jack what?

13. When will Jack return to the country?

14. What do Jack and Gwendolen plan to do when Jack leaves?


Explain how Lady Bracknell represents a false value system that stresses mere form and an appearance of correctness over substance.


The Importance of Being Earnest Lesson Three

3.1 Vocabulary

vacillate v. quixotic adj. canonical adj. portmanteau n. 3.2 Vocabulary Exercise

1. My biggest fault is my ___________________ disposition; I can never make of my mind about anything.

2. While traveling in Europe, I prefer one large _________________ rather than several smaller suitcases, because I change trains often.

3. In that the Bible is authoritative, the commandments and teachings are not optional, but are _____________________.

4. Paul has the _________________ idea about providing a home for homeless cats; he said that he would accept cats from around the world.

3.3 Reading Assignment: The Importance of Being Earnest, pp. 21-30 3.4 Recall Questions 1. What language is Cecily studying that she dislikes so much?

2. Why does Cecily want Jack’s brother, Ernest, to come visit?

3. Why does Cecily prefer a diary to her memory for recording her secrets?

4. Why was Miss Prism’s novel never published?

5. After Miss Prism and Dr. Chasuble go for a walk, who arrives saying he is Jack’s brother?

6. Why does Algernon say he must go back to town on Monday?

7. Where does Cecily tell Algernon that Jack wants to send him?

8. Why does Jack return to the country early wearing mourning clothes?

9. What does Jack ask Dr. Chasuble to do for him later that day?


10. When Cecily announces that Jack’s brother is there, Jack is so furious that he refuses to shake Algernon’s hand at first. Why does he change his mind?

11. When Algernon and Jack are left alone, Algernon informs Jack that he is staying there for how long?

12. What, according to Jack, is calling Algernon back to town?

13. What does Jack promise Algernon in order to get him to leave?


In today’s reading, what things are trivial that seem to be of a great importance to the different characters?

In your opinion, do people make trivial matters to become controlling in their lives? How?

What are some important matters in life that people tend to trivialize?


The Importance of Being Earnest Lesson Four

4.1 Vocabulary

equanimity n. aristocratic adj. impetuous adj. machination n. 4.2 Vocabulary Exercise

1. Paula puts on such _________________ airs whenever she speaks about her relatives who live in London, even though she would not know a nobleman from a commoner.

2. I marveled at the ___________________ of Jamie who continued reading her book right through the earthquake.

3. The four boys’ ___________________ to take the city’s statute was discovered by Miss Read, the teacher.

4. Teresa is __________________ almost to a fault whenever she is asked to drive the car; but she is less passionate when asked to do the dishes.

4.3 Reading Assignment: The Importance of Being Earnest, pp. 31-42 4.4 Recall Questions 1. When Algernon proposes to Cecily, she tells him they have been engaged for the last three

months. How did they become engaged?

2. Why did Cecily temporarily break off their engagement?

3. What is it about Algernon that Cecily says makes her love him?

4. Where does Algernon go when he leaves Cecily?

5. Who arrives for a visit during Algernon’s absence?

6. When Gwendolen finds out that Cecily is Ernest Worthing’s ward, how does she react and what does she admit she wishes Cecily was like?

7. What proof do the two ladies give each other of their respective engagements to Ernest Worthing?

8. Why does Cecily give Gwendolen the opposite of what she asks for at tea?


9. When Jack and Algernon return, Jack is forced to explain the truth to Cecily and Gwendolen. How do they react?

10. When the ladies leave, Jack wants Algernon to leave. What appointment must Algernon stay for and at what time is the appointment?

11. Why does Jack believe it is more important for him to be christened than Algernon?

12. Why does Algernon disagree?


Explain how Cecily and Gwendolen trivialize marriage and social graces.

Discuss whether Gwendolen is a more believable character than Cecily.


The Importance of Being Earnest Lesson Five

5.1 Vocabulary

effrontery n. mercenary adj. celibacy n. perambulator n. 5.2 Vocabulary Exercise: Circle the word that does not belong with the other words in the same line.

1. effrontery forwardness squalid brashness

2. mercenary cheap bribable buyable

3. celibacy chastity continence alacrity

4. perambulator stroller carriage escalator 5.3 Reading Assignment: The Importance of Being Earnest, pp. 43-54 5.4 Recall Questions 1. What reasons do Jack and Algernon give for lying to Cecily and Gwendolen?

2. What finally makes Cecily and Gwendolen forgive them?

3. Who arrives just as the couples are being reconciled?

4. What does Algernon tell Lady Bracknell has happened to Bunbury?

5. How does Lady Bracknell feel about Cecily and her engagement to Algernon when she hears about Cecily’s background and income?

6. What reason does Jack give Lady Bracknell for refusing his consent to Cecily’s engagement?

7. How old does Cecily have to be before she legally comes of age?

8. What does Jack tell Lady Bracknell she must do before he consents?

9. When Dr. Chasuble arrives, who does he say has been waiting to see him?


10. When Miss Prism arrives, Lady Bracknell demands to know what happened to a baby that Miss Prism had been keeping and lost years ago. What story does Miss Prism tell?

11. It is finally found out how Miss Prism lost her novel that she earlier spoke of writing. How did she lose it?

12. Jack finally figures out how he was lost as a baby, and Lady Bracknell explains his background to him. Who is his mother? Who is his brother?

13. How does Jack find out the name of his father?

14. What does Jack’s real full name turn out to be?


Which of the two marriages will be more successful? Why?

What do the minor characters, Rev. Chasuble and Miss Prism, provide for the play?

The theme of death is referred to in the play. Is death trivialized in the play? Why or why not?


Glossary for The Importance of Being Earnest aristocratic (…-r¹s“t…-kr²t”ik) adj. Relating to a member of a ruling class or of the nobility;

having the tastes, the manners, or other characteristics of the aristocracy canonical (k…-n¼n“¹-k…l) adj. Of, relating to, or required by canon law; of or appearing in the

biblical canon; conforming to orthodox rules, as of procedure celibacy (sμl“…-b…-s¶) n. Abstinence from marriage especially by reason of religious vows; the

condition of being unmarried conduce (k…n-d›s“) v. To contribute or lead to a specific result effrontery (¹-fr¾n“t…-r¶) n. Brazen boldness; presumptuousness equanimity (¶”kw…-n¹m“¹-t¶) n. The quality of being calm and even-tempered; composure expurgation (μk“sp…r-g³”sh…n) n. The removal of erroneous, vulgar, obscene, or otherwise

objectionable material before publication forte (fôrt or fôr“t³”) n. Something in which a person excels impetuous (¹m-pμch“›-…s) adj. Characterized by sudden and forceful energy or emotion;

impulsive and passionate; having or marked by violent force machination (m²k”…-n³“sh…n) n. The act of plotting; a crafty scheme or cunning design for the

accomplishment of a sinister end mercenary (mûr“s…-nμr”¶) adj. Motivated solely by a desire for monetary or material gain; hired

for service in a foreign army metaphysical (mμt”…-f¹z“¹-k…l) adj. Based on speculative or abstract reasoning; highly abstract or

theoretical; abstruse; immaterial; incorporeal perambulator (p…-r²m“by…-l³”t…r) n. A baby carriage portmanteau pôrt-m²n“t½) n. A large leather suitcase that opens into two hinged compartments profligate (pr¼f“l¹-g¹t) adj. Given over to dissipation; dissolute; recklessly wasteful; wildly

extravagant quixotic (kw¹k-s¼t“¹k) adj. Caught up in the romance of noble deeds and the pursuit of

unreachable goals; idealistic without regard to practicality; capricious; impulsive recumbent (r¹-k¾m“b…nt) adj. Lying down, especially in a position of comfort or rest; reclining;

resting; idle tedious (t¶“d¶-…s) adj. Tiresome by reason of length, slowness, or dullness; boring vacillate (v²s“…-l³t”) v. To sway from one side to the other; oscillate; to swing indecisively from

one course of action or opinion to another vulgar (v¾l“g…r) adj. Of or associated with the great masses of people; common; spoken by or

expressed in language spoken by the common people; vernacular; deficient in taste, delicacy, or refinement

The Importance of Being Earnest Vocabulary Quiz

Instructions: Match the word with its definition. A. aristocratic B. canonical C. capacious D. celibacy E. effrontery F. equanimity G. expurgations H. impetuous I. machinations J. mercenary K. metaphysical L. portmanteaus M. profligate N. recumbent O. quixotic P. vacillating 1. _____ wavering, unsteady

2. _____ acting suddenly or rashly

3. _____ evil schemes; evil plots

4. _____ elite; superior in class; exclusive

5. _____ authorized, recognized; accepted

6. _____ purging or cleansing

7. _____ lying down; reclining, idle

8. _____ even-tempered; calm, composed

9. _____ impudent boldness; shameless audacity

10. _____ able to hold a lot; roomy; spacious

11. _____ a type of suitcase; clothing case for travel

12. _____ recklessly extravagant; shamelessly immoral

13. _____ abstract; beyond the physical

14. _____ excessively romantic; chivalrous

15. _____ working for gain; hired as a soldier

16. _____ unmarried; a vow not to marry

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Answer Keys to The Importance of Being Earnest Vocabuary Exercise, Lesson 1 1. stockade 2. stylish 3. charge 4. adroit Lesson 1 1. He says it happened as a result of a misunderstanding. 2. In the country. 3. In the city one amuses himself; in the country one amuses others. 4. His Aunt Augusta and cousin Gwendolen 5. Because of his flirtation with Gwendolen 6. To propose to Gwendolen 7. His cigarette case 8. His aunt 9. She calls him Uncle Jack; an aunt would not call her nephew uncle 10. In order to get to town from the country, he invented a brother named Earnest 11. A girl who was put in his charge when her father died 12. Bunbury 13. Because he dined with his aunt on Monday, he is sent down with either no ladies or two,

and he would be seated beside Mary Farquhar 14. He make him promise to let him dine with him Vocabuary Exercise, Lesson 2 1. recumbent 2. metaphysical 3. expurgation 4. proflgate Lesson 2 1. His friend, Bunbury, is sick 2. The name he uses, Earnest 3. Yest 4. Twenty-nine 5. He knows nothing 6. His parents are dead 7. Mr. Thomas Cardew found him; he had a train ticket for Worthing, so he made it Jack’s

name 8. In a handbag at a train station 9. She does not think he has a position in society, and advises him to acquire some relations

soon 10. He decides to say he died 11. Because he feels she is too young and pretty for Algernon

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12. She is afraid they will never be married 13. On Monday 14. To communicate daily Vocabuary Exercise, Lesson 3 1. vacillating 2. portmanteau 3. canonical 4. quixotic Lesson 3 1. German 2. She thinks that she and Miss Prism could have a good influence on him 3. Because she says memory holds only things that have never happened 4. Because she lost the manuscript 5. Algernon 6. He says he has a business appointment 7. To Australia 8. He says his brother has died 9. To christen him 10. Cecily tells him she will never forgive him if he refuses 11. For a week 12. His duty as a gentleman 13. He promises to change his mourning clothes Vocabuary Exercise, Lesson 4 1. aristocratic 2. equanimity 3. machination 4. impetuous Lesson 4 1. They were engaged in Cecily’s imagination 2. Cecily felt that it was necessary to make the engagement serious 3. His assumed name, Earnest 4. To see Dr. Chasuble 5. Gwendolen 6. She wishes she was 42 and plain 7. They show their diary entries 8. To be spiteful because of the mutual jealousy over Earnest 9. They are surprised and they go into the house to get away from Jack 10. His christening at a quarter to six 11. Because he has not yet been christened and Algernoon has. 12. He says he has experience being christened, but Jack does not and being christened might

make him ill.

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Vocabuary Exercise, Lesson 5 1. squalid 2. cheap 3. alacrity 4. escalator Lesson 5 1. Algernon says he wanted to meet Cecily; Jack says he wanted to see Gwendolen often 2. They are touched by the gentlemen’s willingness to be christened for their sakes 3. Lady Bracknell 4. He is dead 5. She approves 6. He does not approve of Algernon’s character 7. Thirty-five 8. She must consent to his marriage to Gwendolen 9. Miss Prism 10. Miss Prism was keeping a baby. She accidentally put the baby in her handbag and her novel

in the bassinette 11. She lost it in the mix-up with the baby who was left at the station in a handbag 12. His mother is Lady Braknell’s sister, his brother is Algernon 13. He looks on the army lists 14. Earnest John Moncrieff

The Importance of Being Earnest

1. P 2. H 3. I 4. A 5. B 6. G 7. N 8. F 9. E 10. C 11. L 12. M 13. K 14. O 15. J 16. D

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A Student’s Companion to The Importance of Being …*8159JzX5d/SG6045.pdf6 / The Importance of Being Earnest / 6 The Importance of Being Earnest / 6 The Importance of Being Earnest