TIOBE : Lady Bracknell

Question 1

Societal expectations - the detatchment of the upper classes

“Illness of any kind is hardly a thing to be encouraged in others…”

Answer 1

“health is the primary duty of life.”
- Lady Bracknell Act 1

Question 2

Social traditions and customs - marriage as an institution

“Pardon me, you are not engaged to anyone, when you do become engaged to someone…”

Answer 2

“I, or your father […] will inform you of the fact.”
- Lady bracknell Act 1

Question 3

Detachment of the upper classes

“I am pleased to hear it…”

Answer 3

“I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit, touch it an dthe bloom is gone. The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound.”
- Lady Bracknell

Question 4

Detachment of the upper classes - hedonism

“To lose one parent, Mr Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune ;…”

Answer 4

“to lose both seems like carelessness.”
- Lady Bracknell Act 1

Question 5

Detachment of the upper classes - hedonism

“To be born , or at any rate bred, in a hand-bag…”

Answer 5

“[…] seems to me to display a contempt for the ordinary decencies of family life that reminds one of the worse excesses of the French Revolution.”
- Lady Bracknell Act 1

Question 6

Lady Bracknell…

Answer 6

sweeps out in majestic indignation

Question 7

Detachment of the upper classes - hedonism

“Exploded! Was he the victim of a revolutionary outrage?…”

Answer 7

“I was not aware that Mr.Bunbury was interested in social legislation. If so, he is well punished for his morbidity.”
- Lady Bracknell Act 3

Question 8

Obsession with class and status

“A moment, Mr Worthing. A hundred and thirty thousand pounds” And in the Funds!…”

Answer 8

“Miss Cardew seems to me a most attractive young lady, now that I look at her.”
- Lady Bracknell Act 3

Question 9

Social commentary

“There are distincy social possibilities…”

Answer 9

“in Miss Cardew’s profile.”
- Lady Bracknell Act 3

Trivial concerns about what should make someone respectable or worthy of status

Question 10

“Never speak disrespectfully of socirty, Algernon…”

Answer 10

“only people who can’t get into it do that.”
- Lady Bracknell Act 3

Question 11

Hedonsim

“My nephew, you seem to be…”

Answer 11

“displaying signs of triviality.”
- Lady Bracknell Act 3