Part 2: Literary Devices in The Importance of Being Earnest — Quiz
Question 2 • English Language Arts 12
Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest . Jack: I have lost both my parents. Lady Bracknell: To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness. What effect does the pun have on this scene?
Answer
A
It makes the scene confusing.
B
It makes the scene more humorous.
C
It makes the scene boring.
D
It makes the scene more serious.
Explanation
Lady Bracknell treats Jack’s loss of both parents as if it were a careless mistake, turning a serious fact into a ridiculous judgment. This unexpected contrast creates humor, so the pun makes the scene more humorous.
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