Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being
Earnest
How does Oscar Wilde use Algernon's attitude to poke fun
at society's traditional rules of behavior?
Jack. Oh, Gwendolen is as right as a trivet. As far as she is
concerned, we are engaged. Her mother is perfectly
unbearable. Never met such a Gorgon... I don't really
know what a Gorgon is like, but I am quite sure that Lady
Bracknell is one. In any case, she is a monster, without
being a myth, which is rather unfair ... I beg your pardon,
Algy, I suppose I shouldn't talk about your own aunt in that
way before you
Algernon. My dear boy, I love hearing my relations
abused. It is the only thing that makes me put up with them
at all. Relations are simply a tedious pack of people, who
haven't got the remotest knowledge of how to live, nor the
smallest instinct about when to die.
O In traditional society, Algernon would be expected to
defend his aunt. Instead, he speaks freely about his
feelings toward family
O In traditional society, Algernon would be expected to
speak kindly to Jack. Instead, he is harsh in his
response
O Algernon rises to his aunt's defense when Jack
becomes critical of her personality.
Algernon explains that his aunt is difficult, but that
Gwendolen is a favorite cousin.
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