And the importance of HOMONYMS

An introduction

Homonym: one of two or more words spelled and pronounced alike but different in meaning—Examples? ◦ Quail (bird; to recoil)

Homophone: one of two or more words pronounced alike but different in meaning or derivation or spelling—Examples?◦ To (verb form: infinitive…to do), too (also), two

(number)

EARNEST VS. ERNEST

Homophone Practice After reading the background on Wilde,

complete the summary activity on page 3 of your packet by correcting the misused homophones!

Now, review the second half of page 3; complete the left side of the anticipation guide carefully and with thought

Arthur Elizabeth Victoria

a serious and intent mental state <a proposal made in earnest>

a considerable or impressive degree or amount <the sap started running in earnest>

A male name

The importance of being in a serious mental state or impressive degree.

The importance of being the man named Ernest

Meaning Purpose

Anyone name Ernest or Earnest? Who is here?

◦ John Worthing, J.P.◦ Algernon Moncrieff◦ Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D.◦ Merriman, Butler◦ Lane, Manservant◦ Lady Bracknell◦ Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax◦ Cecily Cardew◦ Miss Prism, Governess

satirizes the manners and affectations of a social class◦ Irony◦ farce

often represented by stock characters (stereotypes)◦ What are stereotypes of the Victorian age *think

Pride and Prejudice* the plot < witty and often bawdy dialogue

◦ Conflict Epigram◦ Motif Pun

Upper class; elite; socialites In the Victorian Era

◦ Valued: history, heritage, lineage and the continuity of their family line.

◦ Believed: born to rule through divine right Noblesse Oblige the Elite's duty to take care of society

◦ Hoped: to continue tradition and the status quo primogeniture (first born son inherits everything)

◦ Enjoyed a life of luxury and leisure Owned most everything around

◦ By the late Victorian period—the middle class was only beginning to be recognized

satirizes the manners and affectations of a social class◦ High society—ridiculed◦ Irony—opposite of what is said is actually meant

Oscar Wilde “Lived a gloriously notorious eccentric and

decadent life until his tragic demise…” Built his literary career to a substantial

point until he was ostracized from society due to his imprisonment for “gross indecency” and sentenced to 2 years hard labor.

His imprisonment broke him—he never finished another play or novel and died penniless; shunned by all but his closest friends

Why write a comedy of manners?