1. Oscar Wilde: “The Importance of Being Earnest” Fabio Pesaresi

2. Dramatis Personae Jack Worthing  Ernest Algernon Moncrieff  Banbury Gwendolen Fairfax  lover  cousin

3. Country City Jack (Ernest) (Banbury)Algernon Cecily Gwendolen Miss Prism Lady Bracknell

4. The proposal Jack proposes to Gwendolen She accepts, because she can only love someone whose name is Ernest !!!

5. The interview Lady Bracknell asks Jack about his house, his habits his parents

6. Jack’s origin Mr Thomas Cardew found Jack in a handbag in the cloakroom at Victoria Station

7. ► Miss Prism and Cecily studying ► Miss Prism goes to see Dr Chasuble ► Algernon (Ernest) arrives In the countryside

8. Jack in mourning ► Announces that his brother has died ► Surprised by the presence of Algernon ► Tells him to go away ► Goes to Dr Chasuble to be christened with the name of Ernest

9. The proposal Algernon-Ernest proposes to Cecily who says: “We have been engaged for three months”

10. “I love you because you are so wicked and because I always wanted to marry someone whose name is Ernest !!!” Cecily:

11. ► meets Cecily ► they become friends ► They discover they are both engaged to Ernest Worthing ► They quarrel ► They quarrel with the two men Gwendolen

12. Reconciliation ► The men try to make peace with the two young women ► They announce they are going to be rechristened that afternoon

13. Lady Bracknell ► Forbids marriage between Jack and Gwendolen ► Asks about Cecily and gives consent to marriage with Algernon (she is rich!) ► Jack forbids the marriage

14. Recognition ► Miss Prism was the governess at the house of Lady Bracknell’s sister ► She lost the baby: Jack

15. New situation ► Jack is Algernon’s elder brother ► his real name is…….. Ernest

16. Commentary ► Comedy of manners: complicated plot, full of intrigue ► Nonsensical play ► Satire ► Shallow characters (no depth)

17. ► Wilde creates an entire world, frivolous and light ► Witty language ► Elegant manners

18. Misapplied logic Lady Bracknell: “Let’s go. We have already missed five, if not six, trains. To miss many more might expose us to comment on the platform”

19. Misapplied logic Jack: “I have lost both my parents.” Lady Bracknell: “Both? That seems like carelessness!”

20. Misapplied logic Algernon: “I must take the first train on Monday morning. I have a buisiness appointment I am anxious to miss.” Cecily: “Couldn’t you miss it anywhere but in London?” Algernon: “No: the appointment is in London”

21. Paradox Lady Bracknell: “You have a town house, I hope? A girl with a simple, unspoiled nature like Gwendolen could hardly be expected to live in the country.”

22. Paradox Gwendolen on her father who is not very famous in society: “I think that is quite as it should be. The home seems to me to be the proper sphere for the man.”

23. Sparkling language Algernon, about a recently widowed lady: “I hear her hair has turned quite gold from grief”

24. Sparking language Jack, about Lady Bracknell: “a monster, without being a myth, which is unfair!”

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