Question

Choose one of the questions below and answer in 3-5 sentences. Extra credit for answering more than one. 1. How are romance and marriage discussed in this section in a way that reveals the social norms of the time and place? 2. Explain why Jack goes by the name Ernest in the city 3. Jack says he is “not a Bunbury's at all.” Is he? What is a Bunburyist? 4. Algernon, upon seeing Gwendolen, says, “Dear me, you are smart!” She responds, “I am always smart!” Why might Wilde have chosen the word smart rather than stylish or fashionable? 5. Gwendolen says she loves Jack/Ernest “passionately.” What is her love based on, from what we actually see so far in the text? 6. Does Gwendolen truly love Jack/Ernest? Explain

From: the importance of being earnest by Oscar Wilde.

Help with one of these please

Answer 1

I'll address question 3: Jack claims he is “not a Bunburyist at all,” which raises an intriguing question about his character. A Bunburyist, in the context of Oscar Wilde's play, refers to someone who creates a fictitious persona or scenario to escape social obligations or to live a double life, as Algernon does with his imaginary friend Bunbury. While Jack insists he is not a Bunburyist, he actually leads a double life by pretending to be "Ernest" in the city, allowing him to break away from his responsibilities and experience freedom. This contradiction illustrates the play’s themes of identity and the comedic absurdity of societal expectations.