Which line from Act II of The Importance of Being Earnest is a paradox?

O "Child, you know how anxious your guardian is that you should improve yourself in every way."

"I certainly wouldn't let Jack buy my outfit. He has no taste in neckties at all."

"Oh! It is strange he never mentioned to me that he had a ward. How secretive of him!

"Well, one must be serious about something, if one wants to have any amusement in life."

Question

English

Magdalena Dudley

31 January, 14:59

Which line from Act II of The Importance of Being Earnest is a paradox?

O "Child, you know how anxious your guardian is that you should improve yourself in every way."

"I certainly wouldn't let Jack buy my outfit. He has no taste in neckties at all."

"Oh! It is strange he never mentioned to me that he had a ward. How secretive of him!

"Well, one must be serious about something, if one wants to have any amusement in life."

+5

Answers (2)

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Shea Thomas · Answer 1

A paradox contradicts itself so therefore it would have to be "Well, one must be serious about something, if one wants to have any amusement in life."

Braylon Crane · Answer 2

The Importance of Being Earnest is a play written by Oscar Wilde, and it develops a world where the protagonists escape from the real world and their tasks by addopting different personalities.

A paradox is defined as a statement that contradicts itself. Letter D accomplishes it since at the beginning it seems to talk about something "serious" and how this can lead to "amusement in life." The adjective "serious" means not cheerful, while the noun amusement refers to something enjoyable. So, if the first one is necessary to reach second one, the statement contradicts itself, turning into a paradox.