Part 1: A Comedy of Manners: The Importance of Being Earnest — Quiz
Question 3 • English Language Arts 12
Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest . Jack: Oh, Gwendolen is as right as a trivet. As far as she is concerned, we are engaged. Her mother is perfectly unbearable. Never met such a Gorgon . . . I don’t really know what a Gorgon is like, but I am quite sure that Lady Bracknell is one. In any case, she is a monster, without being a myth, which is rather unfair . . . I beg your pardon, Algy, I suppose I shouldn’t talk about your own aunt in that way before you. Algernon: My dear boy, I love hearing my relations abused. It is the only thing that makes me put up with them at all. Relations are simply a tedious pack of people, who haven’t got the remotest knowledge of how to live, nor the smallest instinct about when to die. How does Oscar Wilde use Algernon’s attitude to poke fun at society’s traditional rules of behavior?
Answer
A
Algernon rises to his aunt’s defense when Jack becomes critical of her personality.
B
In traditional society, Algernon would be expected to speak kindly to Jack. Instead, he is harsh in his response.
C
Algernon explains that his aunt is difficult, but that Gwendolen is a favorite cousin.
D
In traditional society, Algernon would be expected to defend his aunt. Instead, he speaks freely about his feelings toward family.
Explanation
Algernon says he enjoys hearing his relatives insulted and calls them tedious, rather than defending his aunt. Traditional manners would expect him to protect or speak respectfully about a family member, but he openly expresses the opposite attitude. This contrast pokes fun at society’s rules about proper behavior toward family; choice D describes it.
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.