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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. Before Lady Windemere exits at the end of Act 1, she:

2. Lady Windemere believes that every "good" woman in London would:

3. What excuse did the Duchess use to get her husband out of town when she suspected he was having an affair?

4. Augustus is:

5. Who plans to be married to Mrs. Erlynne?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Lady Windemere describe her feelings now that she is at Darlington's house?

2. Why does Mrs. Erlynne ask Windemere for money?

3. Why does Darlington pretend to be "bad?"

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

5. What does Mrs. Erlynne learn about her first husband through Lady Windemere?

6. Why is Mrs. Erlynne so upset about her daughter's letter?

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

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

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

10. Why does Windemere say he wishes Mrs. Erlynne would have revealed her secret?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters in Wilde's play might be defined as selfless and selfish at different times. Write an essay in which you:

1) Define any character as essentially selfless or selfish in the play, 2) Determine Wilde's message about selfless and selfish behavior in the play, or 3) Compare and contrast any two characters in the play, identifying one as selfish and the other as selfless. Be sure to use the text to support your argument.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Write an essay in which you explore the nature of relationships in Wilde's play. Consider one of the following topics:

1) How do current couples compare in behavior and expectation to the couples in Wilde's play?

OR

2) Have marriage relationships and expectations changed since Wilde's play was first published? Why or Why not?

OR

3) How does the play reflect "present" attitudes about relationships between men and women in general?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 800 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample