Due Wednesday, November 27th - "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde - Act III
Overview and Directions:
If you have not done so, please compose and post the previous blog response for Acts I and II.
Finish reading the play.
Watch the London production of Act III from 2015, below. It will give you a taste of the live performance and pacing.
For this post, please choose 1-2 of your favorite quotations from the play and discuss, in detail, why you love the lines and/or exchanges. Be sure to make connections to the themes addressed in the previous blog: Aestheticism, religion, education, marriage, relationships, social standing, or any combination of the aforementioned.
Have fun with this post. When you return, we will begin a creative writing assignment in the spirit of Oscar Wilde. I look forward to your responses.
I really liked when Algernon said, "Oh! No! Bunbury doesn’t live here. Bunbury is somewhere else at present. In fact, Bunbury is dead." It is another one of Algy's many dishonest acts and once again another display of Oscar Wilde's brilliant humor. His skill of making the dialogue and plot very funny was what made him very famous in representing the theme of aestheticism. Rather than focusing on creating an interesting plot(which he still accomplished with this play)Wilde really emphasized satire, humor, and overall impression of his own social views.
My favorite lines in the story connect to each other since it tells the story very quick the first line I like is, “I have always pretended to have a younger brother of the name of Ernest, who lives in the Albany, and gets into the most dreadful scrapes.” since it shows how he even says he lies about being honest and how he doesn't really have a brother, but he doesn't lie about this he lies about a lot in his life. Then it takes a turn when he asked aunt augusta “Then the question had better be cleared up at once. Aunt Augusta, a moment. At the time when Miss Prism left me in the hand-bag, had I been christened already?” since by doing this he found out his father was Earnest Moncrief and that he is Algernon's brother and he said to gwendolyn his soon to be wife that his name is earnest and that he has a brother. The reasons I like those lines is because it tells so much about the story and how Oscar Wilde showed how ridiculous and crazy the story was.
kate lyons “Jack? . . . No, there is very little music in the name Jack, if any at all, indeed. It doesn't thrill.” Gwendolen assures Ernest Worthing that she loves his safe, solid name. Unaware that she addresses John Worthington also known as Jack, she disparages the names based on her stereotypes. Her characterizations of Johns and Jacks as homebodies creates a humorous contrast with the fictional Ernest who sees himself as a reprobate man about town. Her attitude creates a comic quandary for Jack while satirizing romantic ideals. Jack: Well, yes, I must admit I smoke. Lady Bracknell: I am glad to hear it. A man should always have an occupation of some kind. There are far too many idle men in London as it is. How does Wilde comment on marriage? What are his views? This whole exchange that they have proves there is no love on marriage at this time, it is all based on social class and money.
Lady Bracknell: May I ask if it is in this house that your invalid friend Mr. Bunbury resides? Algernon: [Stammering.] Oh! No! Bunbury doesn’t live here. Bunbury is somewhere else at present. In fact, Bunbury is dead. Lady Bracknell: Dead! When did Mr. Bunbury die? His death must have been extremely sudden. Algernon: [Airily.] Oh! I killed Bunbury this afternoon. I mean poor Bunbury died this afternoon. Lady Bracknell: What did he die of? Algernon: Bunbury? Oh, he was quite exploded. Lady Bracknell: Exploded! Was he the victim of a revolutionary outrage? I was not aware that Mr. Bunbury was interested in social legislation. If so, he is well punished for his morbidity. Algernon: My dear Aunt Augusta, I mean he was found out! The doctors found out that Bunbury could not live, that is what I mean—so Bunbury died. Lady Bracknell: He seems to have had great confidence in the opinion of his physicians. I am glad, however, that he made up his mind at the last to some definite course of action, and acted under proper medical advice.
This whole exchange between Alge and Lady Bracknell shows just how quick Alge can somewhat be and how Lady Bracknell wholeheartedly believes everything he says. Really anything Lady Bracknell says when learning new information is always funny, like when she learns that Cecily has 135,000 pounds in her funds.
There’s a scene which wasn’t shown in the movie that shows everyone waiting for Jack to come back down from his room:
[Noises heard overhead as if some one was throwing trunks about. Every one looks up.] Cecily: Uncle Jack seems strangely agitated. Chasuble: Your guardian has a very emotional nature. Lady Bracknell: This noise is extremely unpleasant. It sounds as if he was having an argument. I dislike arguments of any kind. They are always vulgar, and often convincing. Chasuble: [Looking up.] It has stopped now. [The noise is redoubled.] Lady Bracknell: I wish he would arrive at some conclusion. Gwendolen: This suspense is terrible. I hope it will last. [Enter Jack with a hand-bag of black leather in his hand.]
I wish they kept this in the movie, it’s actually really funny that no one goes up to see what Jack’s doing. Gwendolen’s last comment is kinda interesting, her saying that the suspense is terrible then hoping that it lasts longer, the humor is quite wonderful.
My favorite line in the play from the importance of being earnest is a quote that stuck out to me was “the truth is rarely pure and never simple.'' I love this quote because I felt this quote had some logic behind it and was the most understandable quote to me in this play. This quote represents truth. Algernon says correctly that truth is never simple, as most of it always requires explanation of the deeper layers, and the purity of truth is always suspect.
My favorite quote from the play "the importance of being earnest" is..
Algernon: You have invented a very useful younger brother called Ernest, in order that you may be able to come up to town as often as you like. I have invented an invaluable permanent invalid called Bunbury, in order that I may be able to go down into the country whenever I choose. Bunbury is perfectly invaluable. If it wasn't for Bunbury's extraordinary bad health, for instance, I wouldn't be able to dine with you at Willis's to-night, for I have been really engaged to Aunt Augusta for more than a week.
Bunbury is Jacks Earnest and they both find out about each others escape people to do whatever they want or get out of family responsibilities like dining with Aunt Augusta and Jack runs away from unpleasant situation to go off and make pleasant ones for him. Both of these characters get caught in their lies but never suffer any real punishment and can get rid of their alter egos.
Lady Bracknell: As a matter of form, Mr. Worthing, I had better ask you if Miss Cardew has any little fortune?
Jack: Oh! about a hundred and thirty thousand pounds in the Funds. That is all. Goodbye, Lady Bracknell. So pleased to have seen you.
Lady Bracknell: [Sitting down again] A moment, Mr. Worthing. A hundred and thirty thousand pounds! And in the Funds! Miss Cardew seems to me a most attractive young lady, now that I look at her. (III.69-71)
In The Importance of Being Earnest, my favorite quote is where Lady Braknell mentions the wealth of Cecily Cardew. Previously, she had trashed her and told Cecily that she couldn't marry her nephew. This all changed quikly when she asked Jack about her fortune. When Jack told her it was 135,000 pounds, Lady Braknell knew Cecily was a good mix for her broke aristocratic nephew, Alegeron. This reminded me of a scene that I enjoy in the princess bride. When the group reached the castle, they asked the gatekeeper for the keys. He said he didn't have any, but when they told Fezzik to rip his arms off, he says, "oh, you mean these gate keys". The two are similar in the way the charcter quikly switched up their stances when faced with a new understanding of the situation.
Algernon: Nothing will induce me to part with Bunbury, and if you ever get married, which seems to me extremely problematic, you will be very glad to know Bunbury. A man who marries without knowing Bunbury has a very tedious time of it. Jack: That is nonsense. If I marry a charming girl like Gwendolen, and she is the only girl I ever saw in my life that I would marry, I certainly won't want to know Bunbury. Algernon: Then your wife will. You don't seem to realise, that in married life three is company and two is none. (I.94-96)
This quote reveals Algernon's opinions on marriage. Bunbury is being used as an excuse for a person to get out of his responsibilities. Algernon believes that couples are not faithful to each other after marriage. But Jack believes that married couples can be perfectly happy together while also being faithful.
Miss Prism: [Calling] Cecily, Cecily! Surely such a utilitarian occupation as the watering of flowers is rather Moulton's duty than yours? Especially at a moment when intellectual pleasures await you. Your German grammar is on the table. (II.1)
Training separates the higher classes from lower ones. Miss Prism demands that Cecily leave modest work to servants while focusing on her lessons. The thought is that the more educated Cecily is, the more she will impress significant men later on and potentially improve her possibilities in marriage. She might wed into a distinguished family and better her present position.
My favorite line was,“In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is a vital thing”. This line made me laugh because it came shortly after neither the women or men wanted to speak and we, the audience, knew what the women were thinking from their whispering conversation but then Miss Fairfax jumps up and begins talking. The quote reveals that even in such a confusing time these women aren’t looking for truthful answers just ones that sound nice. Which is the opposite of what I would want, as I would be persistent on figuring out the truth, but I can see where the appeal for kind words come from. Often when I am stressed I wish sometimes people would lie to me as to not add more to my “plate” but if I were one of them I would not be looking for the sweet sounding responses, but rather, the more reasonable ones. I also found it funny because they Wilde plays around with the concept of love he makes it seem like there is no need for truth within the love just the need for it to look and sound right, no matter what the actual feeling two people receive from one another is. My other favorite exchange was between Algernon and Aunt Augsusta. Aunt Augusta was asking Algernon about Bunbury. Algernon: “The doctors found out that Bunbury could not live, that is what I mean. So Bunubry died.” Aunt Augusta:”He seems to have had great confidence in the opinion of his physicians.” This was one of my favorites because Aunt Augusta always seemed to care the least amount possible about Bunbury while asking about him as much as she could. To hear Algernon kill off his second personality to his aunt, to him, meant that he no longer could escape her dinner invites but to her was not sad or of importance but a question on the trust Bunbury had for others. -Regan Grygiel
One of my favorite lines in the play is from Jack, when he says, "I have always pretended to have a younger brother of the name of Ernest, who lives in Albany, and gets into the most dreadful scrapes." Jack seems to be torn between fulfilling his duty and living pleasurably. Fulfilling his duty seems to be very boring to Jack and he is not at all content with it, he knows there are plenty of other things that he could be doing that would be much more fun. Although he does not want to fulfill his duty, he knows he must but he greatly wants to live with pleasure, hence why he created his younger brother. It is a ploy for him to be able to live a more social and exciting life.
Throughout the play, one of the most memorable quotations for me was when Cecily and Gwendolen discover that they are both set out to marry a man named Ernest. This quotation demonstrates a sense of irony as the real men they are engaged too both display a character with a second life, who happens to have the same name. When the two men are confronted, they act as they have no idea what they are talking about. While this scene is in occurences, the two men reveal their true identities to both women, however, they don’t expect them to come to a positive understanding so quickly. I find this quotation fairly clever for Wilde as this secret that has been lingering for a long time finally comes out in the form of comedy, which is what Wilde does best.
Cecily: [Rather shy and confidingly.] Dearest Gwendolen, there is no reason why I should make a secret of it to you. Our little county newspaper is sure to chronicle the fact next week. Mr. Ernest Worthing and I are engaged to be married. Gwendolen: [Quite politely, rising.] My darling Cecily, I think there must be some slight error. Mr. Ernest Worthing is engaged to me. The announcement will appear in the Morning Post on Saturday at the latest. Cecily: [Very politely, rising.] I am afraid you must be under some misconception. Ernest proposed to me exactly ten minutes ago. [Shows diary.] Gwendolen: [Examines diary through her lorgnettte carefully.] It is certainly very curious, for he asked me to be his wife yesterday afternoon at 5.30. If you would care to verify the incident, pray do so. [Produces diary of her own.] I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train. I am so sorry, dear Cecily, if it is any disappointment to you, but I am afraid I have the prior claim. Cecily: It would distress me more than I can tell you, dear Gwendolen, if it caused you any mental or physical anguish, but I feel bound to point out that since Ernest proposed to you he clearly has changed his mind.
Oscar Wilde is very creative and highly interesting to hear talk because there was just no one like him in this time period. My favorite lines include, "Miss Prism: [Calling] Cecily, Cecily! Surely such a utilitarian occupation as the watering of flowers is rather Moulton's duty than yours? Especially at a moment when intellectual pleasures await you. Your German grammar is on the table" (II.1). This quote explains how different the times were, they had someone to do jobs for them such as watering the plants. Miss Prism is baffled to see Cecily watering the plants when she should be doing her school work, something more important. Instead of thanking her, Miss Prism kind of guilts her. It is also important because it shows you the difference in social classes, being that Cecily should not be doing the dirty work. Another quote that impacted me is "Lady Bracknell: “I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone. The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever. If it did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Square.”. Lady Bracknell explains that although there is stress to get school work done, it has almost lost all it's credibility because the kids are not doing anything with the education. I don't know if I agree, but it could very well be different in England at this time.
I really liked when Algernon said, "Oh! No! Bunbury doesn’t live here. Bunbury is somewhere else at present. In fact, Bunbury is dead." It is another one of Algy's many dishonest acts and once again another display of Oscar Wilde's brilliant humor. This whole exchange between Algernon and Lady Bracknell shows just how quick Algernon can somewhat be and how Lady Bracknell wholeheartedly believes everything he says. Really anything Lady Bracknell says when learning new information is always funny, like when she learns that Cecily has 135,000 pounds in her funds.
Lady Bracknell: May I ask if it is in this house that your invalid friend Mr. Bunbury resides? Algernon: [Stammering.] Oh! No! Bunbury doesn’t live here. Bunbury is somewhere else at present. In fact, Bunbury is dead. Lady Bracknell: Dead! When did Mr. Bunbury die? His death must have been extremely sudden. Algernon: [Airily.] Oh! I killed Bunbury this afternoon. I mean poor Bunbury died this afternoon. Lady Bracknell: What did he die of? Algernon: Bunbury? Oh, he was quite exploded. Lady Bracknell: Exploded! Was he the victim of a revolutionary outrage? I was not aware that Mr. Bunbury was interested in social legislation. If so, he is well punished for his morbidity.
I really liked when Algernon said, "Oh! No! Bunbury doesn’t live here. Bunbury is somewhere else at present. In fact, Bunbury is dead." It is another one of Algy's many dishonest acts and once again another display of Oscar Wilde's brilliant humor. His skill of making the dialogue and plot very funny was what made him very famous in representing the theme of aestheticism. Rather than focusing on creating an interesting plot(which he still accomplished with this play)Wilde really emphasized satire, humor, and overall impression of his own social views.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite lines in the story connect to each other since it tells the story very quick the first line I like is, “I have always pretended to have a younger brother of the name of Ernest, who lives in the Albany, and gets into the most dreadful scrapes.” since it shows how he even says he lies about being honest and how he doesn't really have a brother, but he doesn't lie about this he lies about a lot in his life. Then it takes a turn when he asked aunt augusta “Then the question had better be cleared up at once. Aunt Augusta, a moment. At the time when Miss Prism left me in the hand-bag, had I been christened already?” since by doing this he found out his father was Earnest Moncrief and that he is Algernon's brother and he said to gwendolyn his soon to be wife that his name is earnest and that he has a brother. The reasons I like those lines is because it tells so much about the story and how Oscar Wilde showed how ridiculous and crazy the story was.
ReplyDeletekate lyons
ReplyDelete“Jack? . . . No, there is very little music in the name Jack, if any at all, indeed. It doesn't thrill.” Gwendolen assures Ernest Worthing that she loves his safe, solid name. Unaware that she addresses John Worthington also known as Jack, she disparages the names based on her stereotypes. Her characterizations of Johns and Jacks as homebodies creates a humorous contrast with the fictional Ernest who sees himself as a reprobate man about town. Her attitude creates a comic quandary for Jack while satirizing romantic ideals.
Jack: Well, yes, I must admit I smoke.
Lady Bracknell: I am glad to hear it. A man should always have an occupation of some kind. There are far too many idle men in London as it is.
How does Wilde comment on marriage? What are his views?
This whole exchange that they have proves there is no love on marriage at this time, it is all based on social class and money.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLady Bracknell: May I ask if it is in this house that your invalid friend Mr. Bunbury resides?
ReplyDeleteAlgernon: [Stammering.] Oh! No! Bunbury doesn’t live here. Bunbury is somewhere else at present. In fact, Bunbury is dead.
Lady Bracknell: Dead! When did Mr. Bunbury die? His death must have been extremely sudden.
Algernon: [Airily.] Oh! I killed Bunbury this afternoon. I mean poor Bunbury died this afternoon.
Lady Bracknell: What did he die of?
Algernon: Bunbury? Oh, he was quite exploded.
Lady Bracknell: Exploded! Was he the victim of a revolutionary outrage? I was not aware that Mr. Bunbury was interested in social legislation. If so, he is well punished for his morbidity.
Algernon: My dear Aunt Augusta, I mean he was found out! The doctors found out that Bunbury could not live, that is what I mean—so Bunbury died.
Lady Bracknell: He seems to have had great confidence in the opinion of his physicians. I am glad, however, that he made up his mind at the last to some definite course of action, and acted under proper medical advice.
This whole exchange between Alge and Lady Bracknell shows just how quick Alge can somewhat be and how Lady Bracknell wholeheartedly believes everything he says. Really anything Lady Bracknell says when learning new information is always funny, like when she learns that Cecily has 135,000 pounds in her funds.
There’s a scene which wasn’t shown in the movie that shows everyone waiting for Jack to come back down from his room:
[Noises heard overhead as if some one was throwing trunks about. Every one looks up.]
Cecily: Uncle Jack seems strangely agitated.
Chasuble: Your guardian has a very emotional nature.
Lady Bracknell: This noise is extremely unpleasant. It sounds as if he was having an argument. I dislike arguments of any kind. They are always vulgar, and often convincing.
Chasuble: [Looking up.] It has stopped now. [The noise is redoubled.]
Lady Bracknell: I wish he would arrive at some conclusion.
Gwendolen: This suspense is terrible. I hope it will last. [Enter Jack with a hand-bag of black leather in his hand.]
I wish they kept this in the movie, it’s actually really funny that no one goes up to see what Jack’s doing. Gwendolen’s last comment is kinda interesting, her saying that the suspense is terrible then hoping that it lasts longer, the humor is quite wonderful.
My favorite line in the play from the importance of being earnest is a quote that stuck out to me was “the truth is rarely pure and never simple.'' I love this quote because I felt this quote had some logic behind it and was the most understandable quote to me in this play. This quote represents truth. Algernon says correctly that truth is never simple, as most of it always requires explanation of the deeper layers, and the purity of truth is always suspect.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite quote from the play "the importance of being earnest" is..
ReplyDeleteAlgernon: You have invented a very useful younger brother called Ernest, in order that you may be able to come up to town as often as you like. I have invented an invaluable permanent invalid called Bunbury, in order that I may be able to go down into the country whenever I choose. Bunbury is perfectly invaluable. If it wasn't for Bunbury's extraordinary bad health, for instance, I wouldn't be able to dine with you at Willis's to-night, for I have been really engaged to Aunt Augusta for more than a week.
Bunbury is Jacks Earnest and they both find out about each others escape people to do whatever they want or get out of family responsibilities like dining with Aunt Augusta and Jack runs away from unpleasant situation to go off and make pleasant ones for him. Both of these characters get caught in their lies but never suffer any real punishment and can get rid of their alter egos.
Paige B
Lady Bracknell: As a matter of form, Mr. Worthing, I had better ask you if Miss Cardew has any little fortune?
ReplyDeleteJack: Oh! about a hundred and thirty thousand pounds in the Funds. That is all. Goodbye, Lady Bracknell. So pleased to have seen you.
Lady Bracknell: [Sitting down again] A moment, Mr. Worthing. A hundred and thirty thousand pounds! And in the Funds! Miss Cardew seems to me a most attractive young lady, now that I look at her. (III.69-71)
In The Importance of Being Earnest, my favorite quote is where Lady Braknell mentions the wealth of Cecily Cardew. Previously, she had trashed her and told Cecily that she couldn't marry her nephew. This all changed quikly when she asked Jack about her fortune. When Jack told her it was 135,000 pounds, Lady Braknell knew Cecily was a good mix for her broke aristocratic nephew, Alegeron. This reminded me of a scene that I enjoy in the princess bride. When the group reached the castle, they asked the gatekeeper for the keys. He said he didn't have any, but when they told Fezzik to rip his arms off, he says, "oh, you mean these gate keys". The two are similar in the way the charcter quikly switched up their stances when faced with a new understanding of the situation.
ReplyDeleteAlgernon: Nothing will induce me to part with Bunbury, and if you ever get married, which seems to me extremely problematic, you will be very glad to know Bunbury. A man who marries without knowing Bunbury has a very tedious time of it.
Jack: That is nonsense. If I marry a charming girl like Gwendolen, and she is the only girl I ever saw in my life that I would marry, I certainly won't want to know Bunbury.
Algernon: Then your wife will. You don't seem to realise, that in married life three is company and two is none. (I.94-96)
This quote reveals Algernon's opinions on marriage. Bunbury is being used as an excuse for a person to get out of his responsibilities. Algernon believes that couples are not faithful to each other after marriage. But Jack believes that married couples can be perfectly happy together while also being faithful.
Miss Prism: [Calling] Cecily, Cecily! Surely such a utilitarian occupation as the watering of flowers is rather Moulton's duty than yours? Especially at a moment when intellectual pleasures await you. Your German grammar is on the table. (II.1)
Training separates the higher classes from lower ones. Miss Prism demands that Cecily leave modest work to servants while focusing on her lessons. The thought is that the more educated Cecily is, the more she will impress significant men later on and potentially improve her possibilities in marriage. She might wed into a distinguished family and better her present position.
My favorite line was,“In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is a vital thing”. This line made me laugh because it came shortly after neither the women or men wanted to speak and we, the audience, knew what the women were thinking from their whispering conversation but then Miss Fairfax jumps up and begins talking. The quote reveals that even in such a confusing time these women aren’t looking for truthful answers just ones that sound nice. Which is the opposite of what I would want, as I would be persistent on figuring out the truth, but I can see where the appeal for kind words come from. Often when I am stressed I wish sometimes people would lie to me as to not add more to my “plate” but if I were one of them I would not be looking for the sweet sounding responses, but rather, the more reasonable ones. I also found it funny because they Wilde plays around with the concept of love he makes it seem like there is no need for truth within the love just the need for it to look and sound right, no matter what the actual feeling two people receive from one another is.
ReplyDeleteMy other favorite exchange was between Algernon and Aunt Augsusta. Aunt Augusta was asking Algernon about Bunbury.
Algernon: “The doctors found out that Bunbury could not live, that is what I mean. So Bunubry died.”
Aunt Augusta:”He seems to have had great confidence in the opinion of his physicians.”
This was one of my favorites because Aunt Augusta always seemed to care the least amount possible about Bunbury while asking about him as much as she could. To hear Algernon kill off his second personality to his aunt, to him, meant that he no longer could escape her dinner invites but to her was not sad or of importance but a question on the trust Bunbury had for others.
-Regan Grygiel
One of my favorite lines in the play is from Jack, when he says, "I have always pretended to have a younger brother of the name of Ernest, who lives in Albany, and gets into the most dreadful scrapes." Jack seems to be torn between fulfilling his duty and living pleasurably. Fulfilling his duty seems to be very boring to Jack and he is not at all content with it, he knows there are plenty of other things that he could be doing that would be much more fun. Although he does not want to fulfill his duty, he knows he must but he greatly wants to live with pleasure, hence why he created his younger brother. It is a ploy for him to be able to live a more social and exciting life.
ReplyDelete- Nolan Brezinski
DeleteThroughout the play, one of the most memorable quotations for me was when Cecily and Gwendolen discover that they are both set out to marry a man named Ernest. This quotation demonstrates a sense of irony as the real men they are engaged too both display a character with a second life, who happens to have the same name. When the two men are confronted, they act as they have no idea what they are talking about. While this scene is in occurences, the two men reveal their true identities to both women, however, they don’t expect them to come to a positive understanding so quickly. I find this quotation fairly clever for Wilde as this secret that has been lingering for a long time finally comes out in the form of comedy, which is what Wilde does best.
ReplyDeleteCecily: [Rather shy and confidingly.] Dearest Gwendolen, there is no reason why I should make a secret of it to you. Our little county newspaper is sure to chronicle the fact next week. Mr. Ernest Worthing and I are engaged to be married.
Gwendolen: [Quite politely, rising.] My darling Cecily, I think there must be some slight error. Mr. Ernest Worthing is engaged to me. The announcement will appear in the Morning Post on Saturday at the latest.
Cecily: [Very politely, rising.] I am afraid you must be under some misconception. Ernest proposed to me exactly ten minutes ago. [Shows diary.]
Gwendolen: [Examines diary through her lorgnettte carefully.] It is certainly very curious, for he asked me to be his wife yesterday afternoon at 5.30. If you would care to verify the incident, pray do so. [Produces diary of her own.] I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train. I am so sorry, dear Cecily, if it is any disappointment to you, but I am afraid I have the prior claim.
Cecily: It would distress me more than I can tell you, dear Gwendolen, if it caused you any mental or physical anguish, but I feel bound to point out that since Ernest proposed to you he clearly has changed his mind.
Adriana DeSantis
DeleteOscar Wilde is very creative and highly interesting to hear talk because there was just no one like him in this time period. My favorite lines include, "Miss Prism: [Calling] Cecily, Cecily! Surely such a utilitarian occupation as the watering of flowers is rather Moulton's duty than yours? Especially at a moment when intellectual pleasures await you. Your German grammar is on the table" (II.1). This quote explains how different the times were, they had someone to do jobs for them such as watering the plants. Miss Prism is baffled to see Cecily watering the plants when she should be doing her school work, something more important. Instead of thanking her, Miss Prism kind of guilts her. It is also important because it shows you the difference in social classes, being that Cecily should not be doing the dirty work. Another quote that impacted me is "Lady Bracknell: “I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone. The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever. If it did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Square.”. Lady Bracknell explains that although there is stress to get school work done, it has almost lost all it's credibility because the kids are not doing anything with the education. I don't know if I agree, but it could very well be different in England at this time.
ReplyDeleteI really liked when Algernon said, "Oh! No! Bunbury doesn’t live here. Bunbury is somewhere else at present. In fact, Bunbury is dead." It is another one of Algy's many dishonest acts and once again another display of Oscar Wilde's brilliant humor. This whole exchange between Algernon and Lady Bracknell shows just how quick Algernon can somewhat be and how Lady Bracknell wholeheartedly believes everything he says. Really anything Lady Bracknell says when learning new information is always funny, like when she learns that
ReplyDeleteCecily has 135,000 pounds in her funds.
Lady Bracknell: May I ask if it is in this house that your invalid friend Mr. Bunbury resides?
Algernon: [Stammering.] Oh! No! Bunbury doesn’t live here. Bunbury is somewhere else at present. In fact, Bunbury is dead.
Lady Bracknell: Dead! When did Mr. Bunbury die? His death must have been extremely sudden.
Algernon: [Airily.] Oh! I killed Bunbury this afternoon. I mean poor Bunbury died this afternoon.
Lady Bracknell: What did he die of?
Algernon: Bunbury? Oh, he was quite exploded.
Lady Bracknell: Exploded! Was he the victim of a revolutionary outrage? I was not aware that Mr. Bunbury was interested in social legislation. If so, he is well punished for his morbidity.