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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Lady Markby, what about Sir John has become unbearable?

2. According to Lady Markby, what is fashionable in marriage nowadays?

3. According to Mrs. Cheveley, what do Englishmen always get after a good meal?

4. Why does Mrs. Cheveley say science cannot grapple with the problem of women?

5. In what season does Mrs. Cheveley say people are either hunting for husbands or hiding from them?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why isn't Mabel interested in men who have a future?

2. In Act 3, Part 2, what does Sir Robert say is the real motive behind Mrs. Cheveley blackmailing Sir Robert?

3. What reason does Lady Markby give for the people in the park not looking so fresh?

4. Why does Caversham think he should be the one to choose a wife for Goring?

5. What does Goring want from Sir Robert in return for his getting the letter to Baron Arnheim back?

6. What does Mrs. Cheveley initially do to try to convince Sir Robert to speak in favor of the Argentine Canal?

7. What reason does Mrs. Marchmont give for hating being educated?

8. How does Goring feel about Sir Robert's selling the cabinet secret to gain his success?

9. What does Goring tell Mrs. Cheveley is the drawback of stealing something?

10. Why doesn't Goring want a thoroughly sensible wife?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The central conflict in this play is not between Mrs. Cheveley and Sir Robert or Goring. Identify the central conflict of the play and how Wilde illustrates it in the play. What is the conflict? At what point in the play does Wilde make the conflict clear? How is it brought out and how is it finally resolved?

Essay Topic 2

Lady Chiltern's letter to Goring is worded in a very unclear manner. Why did Wilde word the letter in such a way? What effect does the letter have on the plot?

Essay Topic 3

When Goring finally proposes to Mabel she accepts even though the proposal didn't occur in quite the way she hoped it would. Why do you think Goring's proposal is finally satisfactory with her even though it didn't quite meet her expectations? What does her acceptance of this less than ideal proposal say about her change in attitude toward marriage and all its trappings?

(see the answer keys)

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