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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. Oscar Wilde's mother was a strong supporter of which political cause?

2. Who is Lillie Langtry?

3. When does Oscar Wilde finish "The Duchess of Padua"?

4. Why does Oscar Wilde go to Paris?

5. What trend was creating a scandal at Oxford University in 1875?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Oscar Wilde's contact with Catholicism at Oxford.

2. Where does Oscar Wilde live after returning to Europe from America?

3. Did Oscar Wilde's feelings about outdoor sports change any when he went to Oxford?

4. Which intellectuals became important to Oscar Wilde while he was at Oxford? What were their ideas?

5. Describe Oscar Wilde's marriage to Constance Lloyd.

6. Describe Oscar Wilde's relationship with his mother.

7. What does Oscar Wilde do for work after he gives up lecturing?

8. What did Oscar Wilde do when he lost his University Demyship?

9. How are Oscar Wilde's lectures received in America?

10. What was Oscar Wilde like as a young boy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Oscar Wilde's relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas with Wilde's marriage to Constance Lloyd. Does Wilde conduct both relationships according to the same rules? What were the rules that governed each relationship? In what ways was he true to either partner? In what ways was he honest or dishonest? In what ways did he show love for Constance and Douglas? Were they similar kinds of love? How are they different? Why are they different?

Essay Topic 2

After Oscar Wilde was convicted of homosexuality, his friends urged him to flee to Paris. Why did he not flee? What did he gain by remaining in England and being imprisoned? What did he lose?

Essay Topic 3

More than one of Oscar Wilde's plays was not produced on the stage. What effect do these failures have on his career? How does he compensate for failing to produce the plays? What does he learn from the experiences? Does he benefit in any way from the plays not being produced?

(see the answer keys)

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