Question

How can Lady Bracknell asking Miss Cardew (Cecily) if she is "at all connected with any of the larger railway stations in London” be seen as a reflection of Victorian social codes? Knowing that Jack was found as a baby in a railway station, she is excited that Cecily may also be connected to a railway family because it suggests wealth. Since she already knows about Jack’s background, she is angry that Algernon may marry someone who is not as educated as he is. Knowing that Jack was found as a baby in a railway station, she is concerned that Algernon wants to marry someone who may be of a lower social ranking. Since she already knows about Jack’s background, she is curious to know about Cecily’s because it is considered mannerly to show interest in others.

Answer 1

Answer:

Knowing that Jack was found as a baby in a railway station, she is concerned that Algernon wants to marry someone who may be of a lower social ranking.

Explanation:

Lady Bracknell is used in this book as a device to criticize many of the social conventions that were common during Victorian times. In this example, Lady Bracknell is aware of the fact that Jack was found as a baby in a railway station. This is considered a red flag in Victorian society, as it means that there is no way of knowing what Jack's background is and what family he comes from. However, instead of dismissing the question of his background, Lady Bracknell decides to explore it in a different way. Her extreme concern when it comes to social status results in a comical interaction.

Answer 2

Knowing that Jack was found as a baby in a railway station, she is concerned that Algernon wants to marry someone who may be of a lower social ranking.