1. The Importance of Being Earnest
Act III

2. Act III – satire
GWENDOLEN. In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing. Mr. Worthing, what explanation can you offer to me for pretending to have a brother? Was it in order that you might have an opportunity of coming up to town to see me as often as possible?
How does this statement further characterize Gwendolen?
If Gwendolen in some ways represents the modern Victorian,
how is Wilde satirizing this persona?
Gwendolen is empty-headed and does not understand what is truly important. Her ideal (of finding a man named Ernest) is a symbol for the
Victorian ideal of pomp and circumstance. Here, a life of appearances
and wealth is presented to the audience as silly.

3. Identify the theme
GWENDOLEN. In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing. Mr. Worthing, what explanation can you offer to me for pretending to have a brother? Was it in order that you might have an opportunity of coming up to town to see me as often as possible?
Manners
Foolishness
And Folly
Love
Critique of Marriage
Dual Identities
Foolishness and folly

4. The Death of a Good Friend Why does Algernon get rid of Bunbury?
ALGERNON. My dear Aunt Augusta, I mean he was found out! The doctors found out that Bunbury could not live, that is what I mean - so Bunbury died.
LADY BRACKNELL. He seems to have had great confidence in the opinion of his physicians. I am glad, however, that he made up his mind at the last to some definite course of action, and acted under proper medical advice

5. Act III - Refresh
What problem does Lady Bracknell have with Jack marrying Gwendolen? What themes are implied?
LADY BRACKNELL. Mr. Worthing, is Miss Cardew at all connected with any of the larger railway stations in London? I merely desire information. Until yesterday I had no idea that there were any families or persons whose origin was a Terminus.
JACK. Miss Cardew is the grand-daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Cardew of 149 Belgrave Square, S.W.; Gervase Park, Dorking, Surrey; and the Sporran, Fifeshire, N.B.
LADY BRACKNELL. That sounds not unsatisfactory. Three addresses always inspire confidence, even in tradesmen. But what proof have I of their authenticity?
JACK. I have carefully preserved the Court Guides of the period. They are open to your inspection, Lady Bracknell.
She does not approve of him on the superficial level that he does not have family connections. The theme is a critique of the institution of how arranged marriages worked at the time.

6. Who or what is Wilde satirizing through Lady Bracknell's lines?
LADY BRACKNELL. [Sitting down again.] A moment, Mr. Worthing. A hundred and thirty thousand pounds! And in the Funds! Miss Cardew seems to me a most attractive young lady, now that I look at her. Few girls of the present day have any really solid qualities, any of the qualities that last, and improve with time.
LADY BRACKNELL. Never speak disrespectfully of Society, Algernon. Only people who can't get into it do that. [To CECILY.] Dear child, of course you know that Algernon has nothing but his debts to depend upon. But I do not approve of mercenary marriages. When I married Lord Bracknell I had no fortune of any kind. But I never dreamed for a moment of allowing that to stand in my way.
Lady Bracknell only approves of Cecily when finding out about her money. She is a hypocrite, because she married into a rich family without having any.

7. What does it turn out is Jack's real identity? What is his real name?
Jack is Lady Bracknell's nephew and Algy's older brother.
He has the same name as his father, Ernest John Moncrieff.
“I’ve now realized for the first time in my life the vital
Importance of Being Earnest.”

8. “The true test of comedy is that it shall awaken thoughtful laughter.”
Essay Question
1993.
“The true test of comedy is that it shall awaken thoughtful laughter.”
(George Meredith)
Choose a novel, play, or long poem in which a scene or character awakens “thoughtful laughter” in the reader. Write an essay in which you show why this laughter is “thoughtful” and how it contributes to the meaning of the work.