English 12 – The Importance of Being Earnest
Wilde’s Epigrams: Establishing His Context and Message
Epigram—a concise, cleverly worded, often paradoxical, saying that contains a general truth or astute
observation
As we read The Importance of Being Earnest in class, please annotate your novel for the assigned vocabulary
words and for Wilde’s use of epigrams. Highlight or underline the line in which each vocabulary word appears.
In looking at Wilde’s wit through his use of epigrams, can you discern his messages or beliefs about various
areas of his society? Which areas of society receive the most attention? Highlight or underline each epigram and
mark it as falling in one of the following five categories: Education, Marriage, Love, Moral Obligation, Social
Status: (E, M, L, M.O., S.S.).
Using the categories below, construct a chart and list the epigrams that belong in each. Before each epigram list
the character who says it. After each epigram write the Act number and page number. After we finish reading
the play, mathematically graph the percentage of epigrams in each category. You may use a simple table or a
pie chart, bar graph, or another mathematical representation to show your findings. You must have a minimum
of 50 epigrams divided amongst the 5 categories. Yes, you may have more. You need at least one epigram in
each category. Some epigrams may address more than one category, but you may use each epigram only once!
After your graph, you should write a paragraph addressing the message Wilde relays to his audience regarding
each category. (THAT’S FIVE PARAGRAPHS—BE SURE TO LABEL EACH PARAGRAPH WITH THE
CATEGORY!) Remember to consider and discuss the literary terms introduced at the beginning of this unit in
each paragraph’s analysis.
You will submit this entire assignment to www.turnitin.com no later than 11:59 PM on Tuesday, May 20th. This
is a hard due date. The late work deduction will apply.
Here is one example of how to get started:
EDUCATION
MARRIAGE
1. ALGERNON: “I
don’t play
accurately—any
one can play
accurately—but I
play with
wonderful
expression” (Act 1,
p. 1).
1. LANE: “I have
often observed that
in married
households the
champagne is
rarely of a firstrate brand” (Act 1,
p. 1).
1. ALGERNON:
“The very essence
of romance is
uncertainty” (Act
1, p. 3)
2.
3.
2.
3.
2.
3.
LOVE
1 MORAL
OBLIGATIONS
1. ALGERNON:
“Really, if the
lower orders don’t
set us a good
example, what on
earth is the use of
them? They seem,
as a class, to have
absolutely no sense
of moral
responsibility” (Act
1, p. 2).
2.
3.
SOCIAL STATUS
1. ALGERNON: “I
believe it is
customary in good
society to take
some slight
refreshment at five
o’clock” (Act 1, p.
2).
2.
3.
Here is an example of a mathematical graph:
Category
Number of Epigrams
Education
Marriage
Love
Moral Obligation
Social Status
TOTALS
7
13
5
10
15
50
Percentage (# of Epigrams in
category divided by total # of
Epigrams listed (minimum is 50))
(7/50 =) 14%
(13/50 = ) 26%
(5/50 =) 10%
(10/50 =) 20%
(15/50 =) 30%
100%
Your mathematical graph may take any form (pie chart, bar graph, etc.) as long as the above information is
included in it.
Write a paragraph discussing Wilde’s message in each category. What point is he making about:
1. Education
2. Marriage
3. Love
4. Moral Obligation
5. Social Status
Consider your mathematical findings when constructing your paragraphs. Does Wilde place emphasis on any
particular category? What message does he have for his audience regarding these five areas? Which literary
terms does he use in the epigrams in each category?
Your Turnitin.com submission will include:
#1. Your graph showing a minimum of 50 epigrams listed in the 5 categories
#2. Your mathematical graph breaking down which categories the epigrams fell in.
#3. FIVE paragraphs – One discussing Wilde’s message for EACH category. LABEL your paragraphs with the
title of each category.
Once again,
You will submit this entire assignment to www.turnitin.com no later than 11:59 PM on Tuesday, May 20th. This
is a hard due date. The late work deduction will apply.
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