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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. What detail does Lady Windemere point out about the fan that is her birthday present?

2. If Mrs. Erlynne comes to her home, Lady Windemere claims she will:

3. Augustus is:

4. Lord Darlington believes people are either:

5. Augustus asks:

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do the men appear to admire Mrs. Erlynne?

2. What does Augustus reveal when he re-enters?

3. Why does Lady Windemere think her husband has arrived at Darlington's?

4. Why does Lady Windemere warn Darlington about his flattering statements?

5. What is Mrs. Erlynne's opinion of the party guests?

6. How would Lady Windemere create a scandal for her husband?

7. Why does Lord Darlington suggest that Lady Windemere may need a friend some day?

8. What do all the men assume about Mrs. Erlynne's presence in Darlington's rooms?

9. Why does Lord Windemere insist that Mrs. Erlynne receive an invitation to the ball?

10. What is the Duchess' attitude about marital infidelity on the part of men?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider the role gossip plays in the development of plot in Lady Windemere's Fan. Then write an essay in which you:

1) Discuss the significance of gossip to the events of the four acts, 2) Explore Wilde's message about gossip, referring to specific incidents in the play, or 3) Identify three examples of gossip in the play that directly relate to the development of the plot.

Essay Topic 2

Consider the development of character's motivations and attitudes over the course of the play. Write an essay in which you explore:

1) Lady Windemere as a dynamic character in the play, 2) Lady Windemere as a static character in the play, or 3) any two contrasting characters in the play, identifying one as static, the other as dynamic.

Essay Topic 3

Consider the motif of loyalty explored in the play. Write an essay in which you:

1) Define at least three characters as loyal or disloyal, 2) Explore Wilde's message about loyalty in the play, or 3) Explore one character's actions and describe them as either loyal or disloyal.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 765 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample