"Earnest" LRJ #3 (Act II)

Ian Decker
Ms. Johnson
10 IB/ Per 5
5/10/09

Wit: "Miss Prism has just been complaining of a slight headache. I think it would do her so much good to have a short stroll with you in the park, Dr. Chausable" (Wilde, Pg 143)

"Algernon: This world is good enough for my, cousin Cecily. Cecily: Yes, but are you good enough for it?" (Wide, Pg 147)

Satire: "I am not in favor of this modern mania for turning bad people into good people at a moment's notice" (Wilde Pg. 142)

"Men should be careful; this very celibacy leads weaker vessels astray" (Wilde, Pg. 148)

Farce: "You would have to choose between this world, the next world, and Australia" (Wilde Pg. 146)

"Might I have a button-hole first? I never have an appetite unless I have a button hole first" (Wilde, Pg. 147)

Wilde does not use as much wit or farce in order to make a comment on the Victorian Society, but rather he uses (as is it's definition) satire in order to criticize parts of the society of his time and day. Wilde uses that first satirical quote in order to say that he does not like the ability of the media to make people automatically good in the public eye by showering them with enough good comments that their bad qualities are all buried underneath. The second satirical quote says that he doesn't like the dwindling amount of people that choose to become married. He says that even though married men are less attractive to women, the more mature women will go for the men with "experience".