The+Importance+of+Being+Earnest+ACT+2

1. What impression is created with the location? Is it ironic? 2. What impression do we get of Cecily's 'education'? It might help to consider the character of Miss Prism - look at her definition of 'Fiction' on page 26. 3. What is the purpose of the relationship between Miss Prism and Dr Chasuble? Are the minor characters important? 4. To what extent does the dramatic effect of Act 2 rely upon dramatic irony? 5. How is marriage presented? (Look at Miss Prism's 'bitter' comment on page 33.) 6. What is suggested by Algernon's declaration of 'love' for Cecily on page 37? (Or, indeed, any character's 'love' for any other?) What effect does their conversation on page 38 have? 7. Does Cecily differ in any way from Gwendoline? (Alternatively, does Jack differ from Algy?) 8. How realistic is Cecily's insistence upon the name 'Ernest', especially given Gwendoline's identical insistence in Act 1? Does it matter? 9. Cecily and Gwendoline declare themselves great friends on page 43, implacable enemies on page 47 and sisters in romantic disappointment on page 49. Is it remotely possible that Wilde is making a serious point? 10. From Cecily's diary: (page 40): 'Today I broke off my engagement with Ernest. I feel it is better to do so. The weather still continues charming.' What makes this funny? Consider also page 47: 'To save my poor, innocent, trusting boy from the machinations of any other girl there are no lengths to which I would not go.' 11. Jack, page 49: 'It is very painful for me to be forced to speak the truth.' Is this the play's key aphorism?

=[|Earnest Act 2 Questions]=

=PAPER 2 QUESTION:=

Without deeply-drawn, multi-dimensional characterisation, no play can be successful. Do you agree? Refer to two or three of the plays you have read.
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