The Importance of Being Earnest
Act I
Pre-Reading- What does “Earnest” mean?
What could the title mean?
1. Describe the setting of Act I.
2. What comment does Lane make about the champagne in married household? What is Algernon’s response to
this?
3. What comments does Algernon make about the lower classes? What is his tone?
4. By what name does Algernon call Jack?
5. Why has Jack come to the city on this occasion?
6. What is Algernon’s opinion on proposals?
7. Why does Algernon think Gwendolen will not marry Jack?
8. What does Jack do when Algernon first asks him about Cecily?
9. What is Jack’s next explanation of who Cecily is?
10. What is inscribed on the cigarette case?
11. What is the real explanation as to who Cecily is?
12. Why is Jack known by one name in town and another in the country?
13. Explain why Algernon’s statement to Jack ironic:
“You are the most earnest-looking person I ever saw in my life”(33).
14. What does Algernon mean when he says:
“The truth is rarely pure and never simple. Modern life would be very tedious if it were” (35).
15. Who is Bunbury? Why did Algernon create this character?
16. What does Jack plan to do to his “brother” if Gwendolen accepts his proposal?
17. Why else does he want to get rid of his “brother”?
18. According to Algernon, a Bunbury could be valuable in a marriage, what do you think he means by this?
19. What is Lady Bracknell’s attitude towards invalids?
20. What is Gwendolen’s complaint about the way Jack acts towards him in public? What does this say about her
personality?
21. What was it about Jack that made Gwendolen realize she was destined to love him? Why is this a problem?
22. What does she say to Jack’s proposal?
23. What is Lady Bracknell’s belief about engagements?
24. What kind of information does Lady Bracknell want to know about Jack?
25. What does Jack reveal about his background?
26. How does Jack describe Cecily? Why wouldn’t he want Algernon to meet her?
28. Why does Gwendolen return?
29. What information does she obtain from Jack? What does Algernon do?
30. At the end of Act I, what can we predict Algernon is planning to do?