Lady Bracknell: “I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone. The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever. If it did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Square.” 


Analyse the quotation (word and sentence level) and explain how humour is created. How does Wilde explore Victorian attitudes in through the character of Lady B.



Wilde shows Victorian attitudes through Lady Bracknell's character by the way she speaks and views society.
'Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever' This suggests that Wilde  is mocking the Victorian attitude towards education. It is irony that Lady Bracknell uses the word fortuan 

How does Wilde convey Jack's attitudes towards Algernon?

The language choices Wilde uses to convey Jack's attitudes towards Algernon vary throughout the play.

In the play 'The Importance of Being Ernest'  Jacks quarrels a lot with Algernon. In Act 1 Scene 1 they argue over the muffins which both Jack and Algernon had taken were eaten 'How can you sit there, calmly eating muffins when we are in this horrible trouble, I can’t make out. You seem to me to be perfectly heartless' The squabble with each other just like brothers do. Wilde inserts the scene with muffins to bring humour to the play. The fact that they are arguing over muffins which is quite a trivial matter while the 'loves of there lives' are angry with them. Wilde shows that Jack dislike the idea of Algernon being in his home because he will eat all of his food.

Scene 9 Analysis

Why does she break the mirror?
Blanche breaks the mirror because she doesn't want to look in the mirror and see her ageing face. She  want to keep up the illusion that she is young and is wanted by everyone. Her happiest point in life was when she was 16 and with Allan. Now when she looks int the mirror, all she can see is her failure, she wasted her life

What are his motives for raping her?
Stanley raped her because he wanted to undermine her, he wanted her to feel weak. He did it to prove that he is a man. It is almost like he is doing exactly as Blanche described him as when she said 'Maybe he'll strike you or maybe grunt and kiss you, That is if kisses have been discovered yet' This is like foreshadowing of Stanley raping her

Stella's conversation with Eunice

 After Stanley reveals Blanches past

Stella: EUNICE, EUNICE YOU UP THERE

(Running up the stairs towards Eunice's apartment)

Eunice: Stella? What's all the hollering about?

Stella: Oh thank god your here, I really need talk to you

Eunice: Of course, Come in, Come in. Sit. I'll fetch you a glass of lemonade

(Walking towards the kitchen)

Stella: Oh Eunice (sobs), Stanley just told me the most horrible things about Blanche. She's lied to me, she's lied to all of us.

Eunice: Stella what has Blanche done?

Stella: Well you know about Hotel Flamingo, well Blanche has been giving it a bad name, can you believe that.

Eunice: Are you sure you can believe Stanley?

Stella: I don't know, but would he really lie about this, I'd better get back, Blanche is in the bathroom and Stanley is getting agitated.

Blanche's Diary

Dear Diary,
                   Today has been a long day, I just had my date with Mitch, I'm not sure what to make of it. I don't think Mitch has ever been on a date with a girl like me let alone with anyone else, the way he acted. He was completely oblivious to my advances. Mind you, he's not like the boys I used to date back in Laurel. But I guess that is a good thing, I can really be real with him. I can forget everything when I'm with him, but I worry about what Stanley has been telling him. He hates me and I don't think he wants me anywhere near Mitch, but that isn't his decision. Mitch needs me, like I need him and that's all that matters 

I trust him, he won't leave me, I told him about Alan.. about how I killed him. It felt so good to get if of my chest and to know that Mitch accepts me the way I am shows that there is a god out there. Though i am smarter than him, oh what a laugh, miss out on an opportunity ha ' Voulez vous coucher avec moi se soir'

Oh I hope everything goes well

Au Revoir Blanche

Writing Task

Write the scene between Stanley and Stella as they had breakfast.

Stanley: You know i didn't mean it right?

Stella: What?

Stanley:When I hit you, I didn't mean to, I was drunk and ... please forgive me

Stella: I know Stanley and I forgive you, What do you think Blanche will say?

Stanley: Why do you care what she thinks?

Stella: Well it's just the way she reacted last night, I guess she must be terrified, I'll talk to her once she comes down and we can sort this out.

Stanley: You should. I don't want her in our personal life

Stella: I'm going back to bed, ok

Stanley: Ok, I'll go fix the radio  

Scene 3

 PEEL's of Extracts 1-5

Extract 1

             I think that Stanley is in control in the opening scene of scene 3. He says 'Get off the table Mitch. Nothing belongs on a poker table but cards chips and whisky' This is probably the longest sentence Stanley says throughout the play. It shows that what he says is important and that no one should question it. The fact that Stanley gives Mitch a command shows that he is in charge and does not listen to anyone else. Stanley wants to show all his friends that he is more dominant than the rest and therefore in charge, he does not like Mitch helping his wife and her sister, so he is assertive and does not allow anyone to say anything about it.

Extract 2

             The main topic within the woman's conversation is how Blanche looks. Blanche is a lot like Stanley and likes to dominate the conversation. She is aware of all the men playing poker and wants to make an impression. She asks Stella hows she looks because she is insecure and only takes comfort when people complement her appearance even though she is getting old. 

Blanche throughout the play repeatedly says 'I must go and bathe'. She wants to bathe a lot seems like it could be a biblical illusion to a baptism. She wants to cleanse herself from her past. This refers back to the 'blue piano' that Blanche constantly hears

Extract 3

        

A Scene Between Mitch, Steve and Stanley

Write a scene between Mitch, Steve and Stanley that would fit between Scenes 2 and 3. Consider how they discuss Blanche.

Steve - Who is that?

Stanley - Who? Blanche? oh thats just Stella's sister

Mitch - Well she is very purrty, Is she married??

Steve - Oooooh someone has his eye on a lady

Stanley - Blanche looks like bad news, you could do so much better

Mitch - What do you mean? And i never said i like her

Steve - Right, so you just asked if she was married for the sake of it

Diary Entry For Stella After She has had her Baby

Imagine that while Stella is in hospital after having the baby, she writes an entry in her diary about how she feels about returning home to Stanley and Blanche. Write this diary entry in which Stella expresses her hopes and fears for the future. 

You should give careful consideration to your language choices and style. Write in dramatic form and dialogue suitable for the characters.

Dear Diary,

                    I have just had my baby, I am in the hospital after several days of waiting. I think i'll be able to leave soon. I wonder what is happening back home, Stanley was being very rude to Blanche, I know he is just looking out for our family but she deserves more respect. The way he showed her the train ticket was the last straw i guess, the look on her face was heartbreaking maybe due to all that stress my baby decided it was time to be born.

My baby is a beautiful bouncing baby boy, looks just like Stanley. I don't have name for him yet i'm hoping when Stanley comes to collect me we can discuss this. Maybe we can name him after my father ore Stanley's ...

No we'll decide together, Oh I am so happy words can not describe it. I wish Blanche will be apart of our life but i doubt Stanley would like that much

All that keeps going through my head is the possibility that Blanche could be on the streets alone, I know how she hates to be alone.

Well hopefully this baby will bring us all together

Stella

Writing Task

Blanche is sat on a chair with a cup in hand, looking relived

Stella: Blanche, is that you? What are you doing?

Blanche [shocked]: Oh Stella, my baby, your home. Oh i hope you don't mind that i took a sip of your alcohol it;s just to calm my nerves you see. I hope you don't think of me as a drunkard. Stella for star, my haven't you grown since I saw you last, oh my it has been a while. Gained a bit of weight I see, I have not gained a pound since the day you left Belle Reve. Oh my what am i saying, How are you Stella honey??

Stella: Blanche! You are here! How are you? What are you doing here?

A Streetcar Named Desire - Questions

Why Does Blanche replace the bottle and wash the glass after having a drink?
 Blanche replaces the bottle and washes the glass after having a drink because she does not want Stella to know that she had been drinking her alcohol. Later in the play Blanche says she rarely drinks because she doesn't want her to think she was a alcoholic (or a drunkard as Blanche says).

Pick out the pet names which Blanche has for Stella and explain why Blanche uses them.
 The pet names Blanche uses for Stella are My baby, Stella for Star, Precious Lamb, honey, and Blessed baby. She uses these names to flatter Stella so that she will allow Blanche to stay for however long she need. These names could also show Blanches affection and love for Stella.

What evidence is there that Blanche is concerned about her looks?
Blanche says 'I weigh what i weighed the summer you left Belle Reve' and 'You haven't said a word about my appearance', she evens say 'I still have an awful vanity about my looks even now that my looks are slipping'.

What does this tell you about her character?
 This shows that she is very vain, and wants people to notice her. This also could show that she cares about other peoples opinions of her. She tries to make herself perfect for the benefit of other people and suggests that she is uncomfortable with herself. She strives for perfections and  loves the attention she receives from her looks.

What is Blanche's attitude towards the place where Stella lives?

Blanches attitude to Stella's place is one of shock. She says 'They mustn't have - understood - what number i wanted...' this shows that as soon as she see's Elysian fields and the area that Stella lives in was one that she wasn't expecting. Because Blanche and Stella come from an upper class and was raised on a plantation, Blanche was not expecting her sister to be living in an area so cosmopolitan.

A Streetcar Named Desire

Where and when is the play set?  New Orleans in 1947
What is a streetcar? A tram

What is the music from the period? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTUKHMlbYGA 

What is the social context of the characters? 

Lane's Instruction

TASK

Imagine that Lane has to leave work for a short period and writes his instructions to a

temporary replacement. Write Lane's instructions about how to deal effectively with

Algernon.

Give careful consideration to your language choices, form and style, in order to convey a

sense of Lane's voice and attitudes. 

(45 marks)

Dear Butler,

                     I am writing to inform you that I am leaving for a short period of time to visit an ill relative. During this time away I would like you to take care of Mr Moncreiff. He requires a lot of attention and care for he can not do the simplest things for himself. Follow my instructions carefully and you should have no problem.

Algernon has a friend called Ernest that like to visit a lot. When he enters the room you should leave them to there privacy. The way they banter one would assume that they are brothers. They consume extreme quantities and blames it on the servants so the best thing you can do is just play along.

He also likes to eat. Whether he would admit it or not he can devour several sandwiches which are not prepared for him, he has an extremely large appetite . I had once prepared several cumber sandwiches for when Lady Bracknell arrived for afternoon tea, before however Ernest had arrived and whilst they had there conversation, Algernon had eaten them all. Then when Lady Bracknell had arrived she was quite disappointed that there were no cucumber sandwiches. This is where I had stepped in and said that the market had no cucumbers, even for ready money. This little lies are what you need to do for Mr Moncreiff in his time of need.

Another thing he enjoys doing almost as much as eating is playing the piano. However he may like playing the piano does not mean that he is any good at it. In fact he is dreadful, if he asks how he plays just say 'I didn't think it polite to listen, sir' then say no more. His excuse for his dreadful piano skills is 'I don't play accurately - any one can play accurately - but I play with wonderful expression. As far as the piano is concerned, sentiment is my forte.'

Hopefully I will return soon, but until then I would like to say good luck because working for Mr Moncrieff you will need it

Lane

Resolution

 The play 'The Importance Being Ernest' is resolved when Ms Prism reveals that she left a baby at Victoria train station that belonged to Lady Bracknell's sister. The child inside the hand bag was infant Jack and he could now do all the thing he wanted (marrying Gwendolyn) because he had status.

Jack could now marry Gwendolyn because he now had position, status  and most importantly the name Ernest 'I always told you, Gwendolyn, my name was Ernest didn't I' This suggest that when we find out what his name it brings him status. When he finds out that his has a place in aristocracy he immediately becomes arrogant. This shows that aristocracy brings arrogance and a sense of importance.

When Ms Prism Reveals that she left the handbag at the station with little Jack/Ernest held within you think that the play is resolved. 'Unmarried! I do not deny that is serious blow. But after all who has the right to cast one who has suffered ?' Jack is quick to forgive her because the first thing he thinks about is that he forgives her before his status because he has finally found his mother. This is completely different  to what  he believes later when he finds out that he is part of aristocracy.

Biography

Oscar Wilde Biography 

Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish writer and poet born on 16 October 1854 and died 30 November 1900. In 1964, his father William Wilde was a surgeon who was knighted for his services to medicine and his mother was a writer and literary hostess. Wilde was educated at Trinity College and then Magdalen College, Oxford. While at Oxford, Wilde became involved in the aesthetic movement.

After he graduated, he moved to London to pursue a literary career. Oscar Wilde wrote fairy stories and a novel called ‘The Picture Of Dorian Gray’ which wasn't a success but his greatest strength was writing plays. His greatest talent was for writing plays, and he produced a string of extremely popular comedies including 'Lady Windermere's Fan' (1892), 'An Ideal Husband (1895)' and 'The Importance of Being Earnest' (1895)

In 1884 he married Constance Lloyd and they had two sons, but in 1891 Wilde began an affair with Lord Alfred Douglas. In April 1895, Wilde sued Alfred's father, the Marquis of Queensberry, for libel, after the Marquis has accused him of being homosexual. Wilde lost and, after details of his private life were revealed during the trial, was arrested and tried for gross indecency. He was sentenced to two years of hard labour. His wife took their children to Switzerland and adopted the name 'Holland'.

Gwendolen Speech About How Important She Is

My name is Gwendolen and I can say without a doubt that I am the most important character in this play. I am never wrong.

This entire play is centred around me, I mean the whole reason why Jack had kept this lie about a brother named Ernest was to stay with me.

My ideal is always been to love someone named Ernest, that name inspires absolute confidence and once dear Algy told me he had a friend names Ernest i knew at that moment i was destined to love him.

I am Lady Bracknell's daughter, a high member in society why wouldn't i be important and without me this entire play crumbles to pieces. I am utter perfection, within society and my appearance. The perfect character.

The only reason why Jack went to look for his parents in the first was so he could marry me, This whole charade is because of me

I Gwendolen Bracknell am THE most important character in this play and don't forget it.

How does Wilde create humour at the expense of his characters Gwendolyn and Cecily?

How does Wilde create humour at the expense of his characters Gwendolyn and Cecily? 

The importance of being Ernest is a play written by Oscar Wilde in the Victorian era.Wilde uses humour between Cecily and Gwendolen by using various devices, linguistic and language features. He often reverses writes the opposite of what society really thinks in his play.

The scene where Gwendolen and Cecily sit down to eat is humour in itself. We as the audience know that Ernest is Jack and Algernon, but they both believe they are talking about the same man. At the beginning of the scene Gwendolen announces that 'I like you already more than I can say. My first impressions of people are never wrong'. This shows that she is self centered and believes everything she says is right however later on in the scene after she finds out that they are both engaged to Ernest says ' From the moment I saw you I distrusted you, I am never deceived in such matters. My first impressions of people are invariably right' which is the exact opposite of what she had said to begin with.

 Another bit of humour in this scene is when Gwendolen talks about her father.'And certainly once a man neglects his domestic duties he becomes painfully effeminate, does he not? This suggests that a man loses his masculinity the moment he leaves the household. This brings humour because the audience know's this is wrong.It is an inversion because people would think that by staying at home you would become 'effeminate' not by 'neglecting his domestic duties'. This could refer to Oscar Wilde's sexuality because he neglected his wife and kids which in this case make him effeminate or 'camp' which can be him subtly hinting to the audience that he was gay.

The fact that Jack plays Ernest in town and Jack in country is quite funny because Algernon who also has an alter ego Bunbury becomes Ernest in the country. When Gwendolen and Cecily meet they both believe they are talking about the same man. The audience finds this funny and it creates alot of drama and humour

Lady Bracknell's Speech to her husband about Jack

How dare he, soiling our precious family name with his presence. Being found in a handbag is simply inexcusable, loosing both his parents. To think that we would allow our precious, unspoilt Gwendolen to marry that man is laughable. He is not down on my list of eligible young men, which is the same list as the dear Duchess of Bolton has. 

Lord Bracknell, i believe if this man had not lost his parents, then he would have been most suited for Gwendolen, but this outrageous lie is has made me realize that we should chose a husband for her whether she likes the man or not.

Another thing, this Mr. Bunbury should make up his mind whether he was going to live or to die, his constant illness is preventing Algernon from meeting any women. Illness of any kind is hardly a thing to be encouraged in others. It would be very nice of him if he should not fall ill again this Saturday.

Gwendolen's Diary Entry

Dear Diary,

I am to be married to Ernest Worthing, I will be Mrs Ernest Worthing. To be married to a man with a name that produces vibrations such as Ernest has always been my dream and it is about to come true. His name strikes utter confidence and that is who I'll be married to. However I am afraid that mama will question him to harshly and not accept the proposal, even so I will marry Ernest he is my soul mate. I am destined to be married to a man named Ernest, it was written in the stars.

He started the conversation with the weather, a topic which makes me nervous, I new this was not what he intended to talk about, of course I was right, I'm never wrong. he told me that he loved me and then I revealed my love for him as well. He stated that we must get married at once but he didn't propose to me. When he did i knew my life was complete.Although a strange thing occurred before Ernest proposed to me, he asked if I would still love him, if his name were Jack.

Jack, that name has very little music, and produces absolutely no vibrations. I know several Jack's who are all quit plain, I pity any woman who is married to a man called John for the only safe name is Ernest. A man whom i am marrying. 

I Gwendolen Bracknell will become Mrs Ernest Worthing 

Essay on a converstion between Cecily and Gwendolen

Gwendolen:  Outside the family circle, papa, I am glad to say, is entirely unknown. I think it is quite as it should be. The home seems to me to be the proper sphere for the man. And certainly once a man begins to neglect his domestic duties he becomes painfully effeminate, does he not? And I don't like that. It makes men so very attractive. Cecily, mamma, whose views on education are remarkably strict, has brought me up to be extremely short-sighted; it is part of her system; so do you mind my looking at you through my glasses?

Cecily: Oh! not at all, Gwendolen. I am very fond of being looked at.

Annotate showing K&U or language and literary features as well as context. Cross reference with rest of text to show wider K&U of play.

Gwendolen and Cecily's conversation in Act 2 is centered around family. Oscar Wilde places double meanings within the text that are not immediately noticed until analyzed further. He uses language, literary features and context to show the characters attitudes and ideas. 

In the beginning of the quote Gwendolen starts with a sentence with a complex structure, 'Outside the family circle, papa, I am glad to say, is entirely unknown.' The reason why the sentence is structured this was is because Gwendolen wanted it to be dramatic and have a bigger impact. By but the word 'unknown' last it has become the punch line of the sentence, you don't expect that Lord Bracknell would be unknown. This gives humor to the sentence and refers back to the sub-title 'a trivial play for serious people'. In the Victorian era men are often the ones that are in the public eye whereas the woman stay at home. Oscar Wilde shows his distaste of the 'society rules' by reversing the gender roles.

Oscar Wilde continues this role reversal through Gwendolen by saying 'And certainly once a man neglects his domestic duties he becomes painfully effeminate, does he not? This suggests that a man loses his masculinity the moment he leaves the household. This is an inversion because people would think that by staying at home you would become 'effeminate' not by 'neglecting his domestic duties'. This could refer to Oscar Wilde's sexuality because he neglected his wife and kids which in this case make him effeminate or 'camp' which can be him subtly hinting to the audience that he was gay.

Gwendolen states 'has brought me up to be extremely short sighted; it is part of her system' this suggests that she is very narrow minded and in society with in the city being 'short-sighted' is a clue to whole is part of the aristocracy. The word 'short-sighted' is polysemic because it could mean short sighted or narrow minded. It shows that Gwendolen wants to be like her mother, she has been brought up like her mother 'it is part of her system'. Gwendolen isn't insulting her mother but rather idolizes her and her values. This shows us a lot about Gwendolen's character, she is both a model of elegant fashion and sophistication. Jacks fears are confirmed in this scene because the audience find out that she is almost exactly like her mother except she is more likeable.

Cecily seems to like her self quite a lot when she says 'Oh! not at all, Gwendolen. I am very fond of being looked at' this suggests that she doesn't mind what people think of her and likes the attention. Cecily's character is the polar opposite to Gwendolen, where she is sophisticated and a great representation of society, Cecily is unspoilt and childlike.

In Conclusion Oscar Wilde discreetly shows the characters personality and his personally views on society and aristocracy through various language and literary features. He uses all the characters to portray how he really feels on society and hierarchy. The way in which each sentence has been structured and each word chosen give us a further understanding into the mind of each character and Oscar Wilde.