The Importance of Being Earnest follows the lives of two young men, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, who adopt fictional identities to escape social obligations.
Reading and Writing Workshop: The Importance of Being Earnest & Dramatic Motifs
Primary Text:
Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest (1895)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/844
Session 1: Satire of Social Norms in Comedy
Main Reading:
The Importance of Being Earnest, Act I
Motif Focus:
Molière, The Misanthrope (1666)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/6923
Discussion/Writing Prompt:
Compare how Wilde and Molière use humor and irony to critique the hypocrisy of high society. Write a satirical dialogue set in a modern context that exposes a current societal norm.
Session 2: Mistaken Identity and Duality
Main Reading:
The Importance of Being Earnest, Act II
Motif Focus:
William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night (1602)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1526
Discussion/Writing Prompt:
How does mistaken identity create both humor and tension in both plays? Write a scene where two characters accidentally swap roles, leading to a misunderstanding.
Session 3: Romantic Entanglements and Marriage
Main Reading:
The Importance of Being Earnest, Act III
Motif Focus:
Sheridan, The School for Scandal (1777)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14361
Discussion/Writing Prompt:
Explore how both Wilde and Sheridan mock the institution of marriage and romantic ideals. Create a comedic monologue where a character reveals their cynical views on marriage.
Session 4: Secrets and Revelation
Main Reading:
The Importance of Being Earnest, entire play review
Motif Focus:
Henrik Ibsen, A Doll's House (1879)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2542
Discussion/Writing Prompt:
Contrast Wilde’s comic resolution with Ibsen’s serious ending. How do secrets drive the plot? Write a short story where a key secret is revealed at the climax, changing everything.
Session 5: Social Masks and Public vs. Private Selves
Main Reading:
The Importance of Being Earnest, character analysis (Jack and Algernon)
Motif Focus:
Ben Jonson, Volpone (1606)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2238
Discussion/Writing Prompt:
Examine how characters wear “masks” to deceive others or survive socially. Create two characters with contrasting public and private selves and write a dialogue that reveals this duality.
Session 6: Final Project – Modern Satirical One-Act
Assignment:
Students will create their own short, satirical one-act play that incorporates at least two of the motifs studied: satire, mistaken identity, romantic entanglement, secrets, or duality.
Inspiration:
Oscar Wilde’s wit, Shakespeare’s farce, Molière’s critique, or Sheridan’s comedy of manners.
Primary Text:
Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest (1895)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/844
Session 1: Satire of Social Norms in Comedy
Main Reading:
The Importance of Being Earnest, Act I
Motif Focus:
- Satire and social critique (Victorian values, marriage, and status)
Molière, The Misanthrope (1666)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/6923
Discussion/Writing Prompt:
Compare how Wilde and Molière use humor and irony to critique the hypocrisy of high society. Write a satirical dialogue set in a modern context that exposes a current societal norm.
Session 2: Mistaken Identity and Duality
Main Reading:
The Importance of Being Earnest, Act II
Motif Focus:
- Mistaken identity and alter egos (e.g., "Ernest" and "Bunburying")
William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night (1602)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1526
Discussion/Writing Prompt:
How does mistaken identity create both humor and tension in both plays? Write a scene where two characters accidentally swap roles, leading to a misunderstanding.
Session 3: Romantic Entanglements and Marriage
Main Reading:
The Importance of Being Earnest, Act III
Motif Focus:
- Courtship, marriage, and romantic conventions
Sheridan, The School for Scandal (1777)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14361
Discussion/Writing Prompt:
Explore how both Wilde and Sheridan mock the institution of marriage and romantic ideals. Create a comedic monologue where a character reveals their cynical views on marriage.
Session 4: Secrets and Revelation
Main Reading:
The Importance of Being Earnest, entire play review
Motif Focus:
- Hidden truths, revelation, and resolution
Henrik Ibsen, A Doll's House (1879)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2542
Discussion/Writing Prompt:
Contrast Wilde’s comic resolution with Ibsen’s serious ending. How do secrets drive the plot? Write a short story where a key secret is revealed at the climax, changing everything.
Session 5: Social Masks and Public vs. Private Selves
Main Reading:
The Importance of Being Earnest, character analysis (Jack and Algernon)
Motif Focus:
- Public personas versus private desires
Ben Jonson, Volpone (1606)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2238
Discussion/Writing Prompt:
Examine how characters wear “masks” to deceive others or survive socially. Create two characters with contrasting public and private selves and write a dialogue that reveals this duality.
Session 6: Final Project – Modern Satirical One-Act
Assignment:
Students will create their own short, satirical one-act play that incorporates at least two of the motifs studied: satire, mistaken identity, romantic entanglement, secrets, or duality.
Inspiration:
Oscar Wilde’s wit, Shakespeare’s farce, Molière’s critique, or Sheridan’s comedy of manners.