The Importance of Being Earnest Film Study

 

“Act I” (through Jack’s departure for the country)

 

  1. Notice the dress of the characters.  What do their clothes say about their class, status, personality, etc?

 

 

 

 

  1. We have already discussed how characters speak about marriage.  What do their actions (hand gestures, facial expressions, etc) when they speak about it tell you?

 

 

 

  1. How do the characters physically react to the witty statements of others?  Do they change their expressions?  Do they simply go with the flow?

 

 

 

  1. How are the women shown to have the upper hand?

 

 

 

 

“Act II” (through the women discovering the secrets of the “Ernests”)

 

  1. Further explore the differences between metropole and periphery as shown in the film.

 

 

 

 

  1. What is the attitude towards religion in this section of the film?  What evidence can you find to support your claims?

 

 

 

 

  1. Compare Lane, Merriman, and Miss Prism as comic and liminal characters.  How would the story be different without them?

 

 

 

 

  1. Describe how the body language of both Gwendolen and Cecily change as they make their discovery.  In what ways do they still uphold “proper” societal behavior?

“Act III” (to the end!)

 

  1. How do the actors enhance the humor through comic timing?

 

 

 

 

  1. How does the speech pattern of Lady Bracknell differ from those of other characters?

 

 

 

 

  1. A “well-made play” is said to contain a “time bomb” from the past that changes everything.  What is the time bomb in The Importance of Being Earnest?  How is it portrayed in the film?  Is this how you would have portrayed it?