Monday May 17th

 

The Importance of Being Earnest

 

Read Act 3 again

 

A)  Focus on Miss Prism :

 

What was her former job?

    What is her first name?

  Use your own words to explain the story of the bag…

     Can you explain Miss Prism’s reaction when Jack calls her “mother”?

           

 

B)  Focus on the final scene again:

 

What is Jack’s real name? Whose son is he?

    How are Jack and Algernon related?

        Comment on the last line “ I’ve now realized for the first time in my life the vital Importance of Being Earnest”.

 

C)  Going further :

 

a)   Use an English dictionary to find the definition of “anagnorisis”: why does it apply to The Importance of Being Earnest?

 

b)   “What’s in a name”?   Explain the common points and differences between this play and Romeo and Juliet.

 

c)   From an impossible to a possible match: explain why this title could apply to Jack’s story.

 

d)  The play is funny. Sum up the different types of humour.

 

 

e)   Why could the notion of DUPLICITY sum up the play? Explain and give several examples.