English

Fiona Griffith

2 March, 09:50

Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest.

Jack. Gwendolen, will you marry me? [Goes on his knees.]

Gwendolen. Of course I will, darling. How long you have been about it! I am afraid you have had very little experience in how to propose.

Jack. My own one, I have never loved any one in the world but you.

Gwendolen. Yes, but men often propose for practice. I know my brother Gerald does. All my girl-friends tell me so.

How does this dialogue poke fun at a society that takes marriage too lightly?

Jack is joking about his marriage proposal.

Jack tells Gwendolen that he loves no one else.

Gwendolen is happy that Jack has finally asked her to marry him.

Gwendolen says that her brother proposes to all her friends.