Importance of Being Earnest Syllabus

Mon 3/9 “The Garden Party,” by Katherine Mansfield (Story and Its Writer 510-21). Vocab: sordid (516), fray (517). In what ways does this story connect with Emma? In what ways is it different? Introduction to Modernism and brief look at manifestos. Compare / Contrast revisions due.

Tue 3/10 Preface to The Picture of Dorian Gray (Course Packet 82). Find at least one statement in this preface that you agree with, and one that you disagree with (or several that you partly agree and partly disagree with). If this preface is a manifesto of Decadence, what might be some qualities or ideas that define Decadence?

Wed 3/11 The Importance of Being Earnest, Act I. Vocab: expurgation (p. 127), provincial (p. 128), metaphysical (p. 129), gorgon (p. 135). Identify an epigram spoken by one of the characters in Act I, and think about why it’s humorous and/or ironic in the context of this play.

Thu 3/12 Reread Earnest, Act I – do you understand it differently after our discussion yesterday? If so, how? Prepare and present short scenes from Act I (in class).

Fri 3/13 Ms. Bluhm’s last day. English tea. View Act I of Earnest. Last day of 3rd quarter.

Mon 3/16 Earnest, Act II. Vocab: utilitarian (p. 141), vacillating (p. 142), manna (p. 150); What perceived qualities in ‘Ernest’ seem to fascinate Cicely? Why is she interested in him? Why does Algernon’s posing as ‘Ernest’ disrupt Jack’s plan for ‘Ernest’?

Tue 3/17 Earnest, Act III. Vocab: skepticism (p. 174), insuperable (p. 175), mercenary (p. 179), ostentatious (p. 180), heretical (p. 183), capacious (p. 185); Having read the whole play, would you say it’s merely witty and frivolous, or do you see one or more possible “morals”? Assign scenes from Earnest

Wed 3/18 View Acts II & III in film version of The Importance of Being Earnest

Thurs 3/19 Time in class to work on scenes from The Importance of Being Earnest.

Fri 3/20 Book talks and independent reading.

Spring Break—March 23-27

Mon 3/27-Wed 3/29 Prepare and present final scenes from The Importance of Being Earnest