20. Briefly explain two ways the play is either reflective of the Victorian culture or shows the influence of Restoration comedy. Respond in complete sentences.Include SPECIFIC examples and details from the play in your responses for support!

21. Identify and explain how symbolism is used in the play. Respond in complete sentences. You may discuss the symbolism of food as it was described in the lessons.Include SPECIFIC examples and details from the play in your responses for support!

22. Give an example of how Oscar Wilde uses irony to achieve social commentary in the play. You can discuss the irony of the title. Respond in complete sentences.

23. The Importance of Being Earnest presents characters who live for one thing and one thing only—to do whatever will bring them pleasure. What message does the play get across regarding the pursuit of pleasure? Is the message positive or negative? Give specific examples from the play to explain your response.

How can we help you with these questions? What is it that you don't understand?

The Play don't make sense and these questions i don't know how to answer them..., the play is called The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde..

http://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=importance+of+being+earnest&*

Surely, you'll find some help in at least one of these search results. Just make sure you don't copy and paste anything, or you'll be setting yourself up for plagiarism. Write your answers in your own words.

What do you mean, "The play don't make sense"? Have you read it? The characters talk to each other. What do they say to each other and why?

What do they say to ea h other and why??... Well because they're having a conversation what do you mean why about what do they say to each other..

20. In The Importance of Being Earnest, there are two ways in which the play reflects Victorian culture and shows the influence of Restoration comedy. Firstly, the play reflects the Victorian culture through its portrayal of strict social norms and expectations. In Victorian society, there were clear rules and etiquette that had to be followed, which is evident in the play through the characters' obsession with appearances and manners. For example, Algernon's sarcastic remark, "I never saw a woman so dazed and crushed by etiquette," showcases the rigid expectations placed upon women in Victorian society.

Secondly, the play shows the influence of Restoration comedy through its witty dialogue and use of mistaken identity. Restoration comedy was known for its clever wordplay and farcical elements, which can be seen in the play when the characters assume false identities to pursue their romantic interests. For instance, Jack pretends to be his fictional brother Ernest in order to win over Gwendolen, leading to humorous misunderstandings and complications.

21. Symbolism is used in The Importance of Being Earnest to convey deeper meanings and themes. One example of symbolism is the use of food throughout the play. In Victorian culture, meals were seen as a social ritual that emphasized status and refinement. Wilde uses food as a symbol to highlight the characters' superficiality and obsession with appearances.

For instance, the cucumber sandwiches served in Act I symbolize the shallowness of high society. Lady Bracknell's dismissal of the cucumber sandwiches as "the bread and butter of the upper classes" reinforces the idea that the characters prioritize trivialities over genuine substance. This symbolism ties into the play's criticism of Victorian society's obsession with status and social conventions.

22. Oscar Wilde uses irony to achieve social commentary in The Importance of Being Earnest. One prime example of irony is the title itself. The play satirizes the concept of "earnestness," which was highly valued in Victorian society. The title suggests that the play will explore the virtues of being earnest and serious, but in reality, it mocks the characters who pretend to be serious while engaging in deceitful and trivial pursuits.

Wilde uses this irony to comment on the shallow nature of Victorian society and the hypocrisy of its values. By presenting the characters as dishonest and self-serving, Wilde criticizes the obsession with appearances and the pretense of moral seriousness.

23. The play conveys a negative message regarding the pursuit of pleasure. The characters in The Importance of Being Earnest are solely focused on seeking pleasure and self-indulgence, which leads to a disregard for moral responsibilities and genuine human connections. This is exemplified through Algernon's humorous declaration, "I am sick to death of cleverness. Everybody is clever nowadays," suggesting that intellectual pursuits are deemed less important than the pursuit of pleasure.

Furthermore, the play exposes the consequences of such single-minded pursuit, with characters facing social disapproval and personal consequences for their self-centered actions. For instance, Algernon's pursuit of pleasure leads to his exposure as a liar and the strain it puts on his relationship with Cecily. In this way, the play suggests that the relentless pursuit of pleasure ultimately leads to emptiness and unhappiness.