Question

Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest. Jack. [Irritably.] Oh! It always is nearly seven. Algernon. Well, I’m hungry. Jack. I never knew you when you weren’t . . . Algernon. What shall we do after dinner? Go to a theatre? Jack. Oh, no! I loathe listening. Algernon. Well, let us go to the Club? Jack. Oh, no! I hate talking. Algernon. Well, we might trot round to the Empire at ten? Jack. Oh, no! I can’t bear looking at things. It is so silly. Algernon. Well, what shall we do? Jack. Nothing! Algernon. It is awfully hard work doing nothing. However, I don’t mind hard work where there is no definite object of any kind. Which is an example of how Wilde pokes fun at the upper-class lifestyle? Jack has trouble listening and speaking. Jack rejects all of Algernon’s suggestions. Algernon states that he is hungry once again. Algernon says it is hard work to live in this leisurely manner.

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is D: Algernon says it is hard work to live in this leisurely manner.

Explanation:

Answer 2

An example of how Wilde pokes fun at the upper-class lifestyle is "Algernon says it is hard work to live in this leisurely manner".

In The Importance of Being Earnest, Jack and Algernon are described as wealthy gentlemen. Moreover, they come from important families. In this excerpt, Wilde uses Algernon and his belief that doing nothing is hard work to satirize the upper-class; however, Wilde does not seek to make fun of mere individuals but to make fun of this society as a whole. The author's aim throughout the play is to amuse and to make fun of the Victorian upper class.