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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 would make life simpler, in Lady Windemere's opinion?

2. What is occurring at the start of Act 2?

3. What does Lady Windemere decide after her husband exits with Mrs. Erlynne?

4. Why does Lady Windemere claim to be upset with Lord Darlington?

5. Lady Windemere does not approve of Darlington's flattery because she believes he is:

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the Windemere's conversation about men and women reveal about Lady Windemere's opinion of men?

2. Describe the relationship between the Duchess and her daughter Agatha.

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

4. Describe the relationship between Cecil Graham and Lord Augustus.

5. What does Lady Windmere fear at the start of the scene?

6. Why is the Duchess so interested in Lady Agatha's dance card?

7. What does Mrs. Erlynne have to say about the fogs of London, and what does she mean?

8. Why did Lord Windemere give Mrs. Erlynne money, according to her?

9. Why does the Duchess claim to feel totally secure at the Windemeres' house?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider what Wilde's characters reveal about society and its hypocrisy in Lady Windemere's Fan. Then write an essay in which you:

1) Identify any three acts of hypocrisy in the play, and connect them to societal norms or expectations, 2) Explore society's apparent attitude toward hypocrisy in the play, and compare it to society's hypocrisy now, or 3) Explain Wilde's emphasis on hypocrisy in the play, and determine how it contributes to his theme.

Essay Topic 2

Consider the character of Lady Agatha in the play. Write an essay in which you discuss:

1) How Lady Agatha's character is revealed through dialogue, 2) How Lady Agatha's character is revealed through others' responses to her, or 3) How Lady Agatha's character is revealed through her interests as they are referred to by the Duchess of Berwick.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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