And the importance of HOMONYMS
An introduction

Homonym: one of two or more words spelled
and pronounced alike but different in
meaning—Examples?
◦ Quail (bird; to recoil)

Homophone: one of two or more words
pronounced alike but different in meaning or
derivation or spelling—Examples?
◦ To (verb form: infinitive…to do), too (also), two
(number)

EARNEST
VS.
ERNEST

After reading the background on Wilde,
complete the summary activity on page 3 of
your packet by correcting the misused
homophones!

Now, review the second half of page 3;
complete the left side of the anticipation
guide carefully and with thought



Arthur
Elizabeth
Victoria

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a serious and intent mental state <a proposal
made in earnest>
a considerable or impressive degree or
amount <the sap started running in earnest>

A male name

The importance of being in a serious mental
state or impressive degree.

The importance of being the man named
Ernest


Meaning
Purpose


Anyone name Ernest or Earnest?
Who is here?
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John Worthing, J.P.
Algernon Moncrieff
Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D.
Merriman, Butler
Lane, Manservant
Lady Bracknell
Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax
Cecily Cardew
Miss Prism, Governess

satirizes the manners and affectations of a
social class
◦ Irony
◦ farce

often represented by stock characters
(stereotypes)
◦ What are stereotypes of the Victorian age *think
Pride and Prejudice*

the plot < witty and often bawdy dialogue
◦ Conflict
◦ Motif
Epigram
Pun


Upper class; elite; socialites
In the Victorian Era
◦ Valued: history, heritage, lineage and the continuity of
their family line.
◦ Believed:
 born to rule through divine right
 Noblesse Oblige the Elite's duty to take care of society
◦ Hoped: to continue tradition and the status quo
 primogeniture (first born son inherits everything)
◦ Enjoyed a life of luxury and leisure
 Owned most everything around
◦ By the late Victorian period—the middle class was only
beginning to be recognized

satirizes the manners and affectations of a
social class
◦ High society—ridiculed
◦ Irony—opposite of what is said is actually meant
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“Lived a gloriously notorious eccentric and
decadent life until his tragic demise…”
Built his literary career to a substantial point
until he was ostracized from society due to
his imprisonment for “gross indecency” and
sentenced to 2 years hard labor.
His imprisonment broke him—he never
finished another play or novel and died
penniless; shunned by all but his closest
friends
Why write a comedy of manners?