The Importance of Being Earnest: Advanced York Notes

Introduction

How to study a play, Reading The Importance of Being Earnest

A note on the text

Overview

Synopsis

Act I

Summary, Commentary, Glossary

Act II

Summary, Commentary, Glossary

Act III

Summary, Commentary, Glossary

Extended commentary 1

Text 1 – Algy discovers that Jack is leading a double life: Act I (pp. 256–8), Extended commentary

Extended commentary 2

Text 2 – Gwendolen and Cecily fight it out for the love of Ernest: Act II (pp. 292–4), Extended commentary

Extended commentary 3

Text 3 – Lady Bracknell Discovers Jack's Unorthodox Background: Act I (pp. 267–9), Extended commentary

Characterisation

Overview, Lane, Algernon Moncrieff, Jack Worthing, Lady Bracknell, Gwendolen Fairfax, Miss Prism, Cecily Cardew, Canon Chasuble, Merriman, Oscar Wilde's use of characterisation

Plot

Language and style

Staging

Reception and early critical views

Reviews, Critical history

Contemporary approaches

Structuralist readings, Historicist readings, Queer theory and gay criticism

Oscar Wilde's life and works

Historical background

Literary background

General influences, Immediate influences

Chronology

Literary terms