Read the beginning of The Importance of Being Earnest.Title: The Importance of Being Earnestby Oscar WildeThe Persons in the PlayJohn Worthing, J.P.Algernon MoncrieffRev. Canon Chasuble, D.D.Merriman, ButlerLane, ManservantLady BracknellHon. Gwendolen FairfaxCecily CardewMiss Prism, GovernessFirst ActSCENEMorning-room in Algernon’s flat in Half-Moon Street. The room is luxuriously and artistically furnished. The sound of a piano is heard in the adjoining room.[Lane is arranging afternoon tea on the table, and after the music has ceased, Algernon enters.]Algernon. Did you hear what I was playing, Lane?Lane. I didn’t think it polite to listen, sir.
Answer
A
The setting at the opening of the play makes a comment on the benefits of being married.
B
The names of the characters in the play help Wilde illustrate the differences between social classes.
C
The title is helpful in establishing the play as a comedy of manners because it makes use of witty wordplay.
D
The first line of dialogue in the play helps Wilde emphasize a contrast between city and country life.
Explanation
The title, The Importance of Being Earnest, plays on the word “earnest,” meaning sincere or serious, and the name “Ernest,” which matters to the characters. That witty double meaning signals the clever wordplay typical of a comedy of manners. The opening exchange about whether Lane listened to the piano does not establish a contrast between city and country life.
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