Passage Audio
This excerpt is from the beginning of Act Il of English
playwright Oscar Wilde's best-known drama of the
nineteenth century. Jack Worthing is guardian to Cecily.
who calls him "Uncle Jack" though the two are not related
Cecily's governess, Miss Prism, is attempting to impress
upon Cecily the need to focus on her studies
from The Importance
of Being Earnest
by Oscar Wilde
Scene
[Garden at the Manor House. A flight of grey stone steps
leads up to the house. The garden, an old-fashioned one
full of roses. Time of year, July. Basket chairs, and a table
covered with books are set under a large yow-treo]
(MISS PRISM discovered seated at the table. CECILY is at the
back watering flowers]
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On pages 2-3 of the Passage, reread the
underlined part of the play. How does this
discussion between Miss Prism and Cecily help
develop the theme of the play?
It shows that older people are sometimes too busy
in their own lives to help young people.
It establishes that studying foreign languages is a
worthwhile pursuit.
It shows that people sometimes assume they know
what is best for others.
It establishes that responsibilities can make a
person unhappy.