1. 3/25/14 Bellwork: On page 94 of your INB, write about 3-5 sentences about the following question - What does it mean to “Do the right thing?” Agenda: Bellwork Notes on Earnest page 95 REMINDERS – Journals for ACT 1 and 2 of EARNEST are DUE tomorrow.

2. The Importance of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

3. The Importance of Being Earnest Written in 1895 A Comedy in 3 Acts Is a satire Immediate hit when first performed Criticizes Victorian moral and social values Bridges Victorian period/literature with Modern Uses wit, puns, exaggeration, and wordplay to create humor

4. Main Characters John Worthing, aka “Jack”, aka “Earnest” Algernon Montcrief, Jack’s friend Lane, the butler for Algernon Rev. Chausible, the preacher in the country Lady Bracknell, mother of Gwendolyn Gwendolyn, wants to marry a man named “Earnest” Cecily, Jack’s ward Miss Prism, Cecily’s governess

5. Settings Time: Around 1890 Place(s): London (“the City”) Jack’s House in the Country (a very large estate) The village church

6. Settings Jack’s Country House

7. Settings Jack’s Drawing Room

8. Settings Lady Bracknell’s mansion in London

9. Victorian Period Named for Queen Victoria of England Was Queen from 1837-1901 Followed the reign of “Mad” King George The culture was very moral and serious Women were expected to be the “angel in the house” - to take care of their husband and family

10. Queen Victoria Became Queen as a young girl Married Albert, Prince Consort and adored him After he died, she wore black for the rest of her life Had 9 children Created a culture that valued family and stability

11. Victorian Period Manners were supremely important English society was divided into classes The Upper-class was well-educated, came from a rich and respected family (“old money”), and having good manners mattered more than anything else Considered bad manners to flaunt wealth

12. Victorian Period Young women were always chaperoned until they were married Women’s clothing covered them from neck to ankle; clothes had to be modest In the upper classes, people with a bad reputation were outcasts no matter how much money they had Good manners were extremely important

13. Victorian Fashion For the Gentlemen

14. Victorian Fashion For the Ladies

15. Victorian Period People did not just “drop in” to visit - they made formal appointments Refreshments were expected when visitors came to “call” (visit) - usually tea and cake or tiny, elegant cucumber sandwiches Men were expected to be well-educated Women were expected to marry well

16. Oscar Wilde - Author Born in Ireland; lived in England and abroad Attended Trinity College in Ireland and Oxford University in England Very witty and funny Believed in the value of “art for art’s sake” - art (literature) should not be concerned with political issues Wrote several plays, but only one novel Novel: The Picture of Dorian Gray

17. Oscar Wilde With other writers and artists, rebelled against the prim, moral, religious culture of Victorian England Was known to be wild, flamboyant, witty Although homosexual, married and had children Being homosexual was illegal, and he served time in prison for it

18. Oscar Wilde Handsome Loved clothes Could be quite dramatic Completely unique

19. Oscar Wilde Came from upper-class family Brilliant writer Loved to shock people “Bad Boy” of his time - The ‘Lil Wayne’ of his day (but well-educated)

20. Oscar Wilde Never allowed to see his family again Spent the remainder of his life in Paris Died alone and poor in Paris

21. Literary Vocabulary Comedy - light-hearted literature with humor and a happy ending Satire - literary writing that makes fun of or criticizes the faults of people or groups. Purpose is to point out flaws Wit - using words to be clever and funny with language Pun - a play on words

22. Literary Vocabulary Protagonist - the main character Foil - the character who contrasts the main character (the foil “reflects” the traits of the main character) Blocking figure - A character, often old and cranky, who interferes with the romantic desires or the other main characters and provides comic action

23. Importance of Being Earnest The title of the play is a pun. To be “earnest” means to be serious, and the main character (John/Jack) uses the name “Earnest” when he is in the city “Bunburying” is using an alias to “get away with” avoiding social obligatioins