"The Importance of Being Earnest," by Oscar Wilde, is a comedic play that is set in London, England during Victorian times. ... She starts off asking Jack if he smokes, Jack replies "Well, yes, I must admit I smoke." ... There are far too many idle men in London as it is." ... Jack responds, "I know nothing." ... After that, Jack confesses the he was abandonded by his parents and left in a handbag; Lady Bracknell refuses to let Gwendolen marry Jack. ...

• Word Count: 1981
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

We see this type of humour at work, for instance in Algernon's pontifications on marriage, Jack announces he has come to ask Gwendolyn to marry him; Algernon responds, "I thought you had come up for pleasure? ... Sheridan, son of a poor Dublin actor, used his wit to fight his way into this London elite. ... Pearson, Hesketh, The Life of Oscar Wilde, London, Methuen and co Ltd, 1952. ... Colin Counsell, London: Nick Hern Books, 1998. ... Kenneth McLeish, London: Nick Hern Books, 1998. ...

• Word Count: 1627
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School