Explore the view that Oscar Wilde’s play, The Importance of being Earnest,

is over-reliant on stereotypes for its humorous message.

What does ‘explore’ mean in the context of this question?

Be able to define key words and Assessment Objectives DBe able to explain how they are being used in a sample answer CBe able to justify what band each is at B

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Be able to define key words and Assessment Objectives DBe able to explain how they are being used in a sample answer CBe able to justify what band each is at B

HomeworkIf you do not hand it in on time, I will not mark it! Phone call home first time/ email second time/ contact Tutor 3rd time)

Missing – India, Chloe (but you did email so no phone call home this time)

Exploreinvestigate without preconceptions about the outcome.

Therefore you should not have assumed that Wilde does over-rely on stereotypes.

Be able to define key words and Assessment Objectives DBe able to explain how they are being used in a sample answer CBe able to justify what band each is at B

What methods does Wilde use to convey his ‘humorous message’? In other words, what is funny about the play? Think of the lesson we had where you went round and wrote things in big circles (which you then compiled

quotes for).

Be able to define key words and Assessment Objectives DBe able to explain how they are being used in a sample answer CBe able to justify what band each is at B

Use of contrasting settings – town and country.Stock characters/stereo-types

ParodySatire

Complex plottingSelf-reflective comedy – when the characters themselves draw

attention to the absurdity of the situation.

Well done Kira who clearly did go back over this lesson and referred to most of these. This is what gave her the highest

grade.

Be able to identify the comic aspects of the play DBe able to explain exactly how the play uses these comic devices for effect CBe able to justify opinions and even build on/challenge them. B

Now need to think about how you can structure this essay and what points (backed up by what evidence) can we use?

Be able to identify the comic aspects of the play DBe able to explain exactly how the play uses these comic devices for effect CBe able to justify opinions and even build on/challenge them. B

Start by taking the question’s given method (but don’t assume the evaluation

provided is correct) – stereotypes.

One key point you could make is that the stereotypes work on two levels – satire and

parody. How?

Be able to identify the comic aspects of the play DBe able to explain exactly how the play uses these comic devices for effect CBe able to justify opinions and even build on/challenge them. B

How are stereotypes used and what is the comic message?

Be able to identify the comic aspects of the play DBe able to explain exactly how the play uses these comic devices for effect CBe able to justify opinions and even build on/challenge them. B

Satire of class and gender.

Parodying aspects of melodrama

Be able to identify the comic aspects of the play DBe able to explain exactly how the play uses these comic devices for effect CBe able to justify opinions and even build on/challenge them. B

Satire of class and gender.

Parodying aspects of melodrama

Who satirises what and how (you will need to incorporate historical context)

Some commentary needed on stock characters.But also point out that not just stereotyping generates this humourous message – complex plotting as well. Might also introduce idea of being self-reflective comedy.

What other comic devices are used?

Be able to identify the comic aspects of the play DBe able to explain exactly how the play uses these comic devices for effect CBe able to justify opinions and even build on/challenge them. B

Settings – countryside v. town.

Staging – visual ‘slapstick’ and more subtle humour ….. What can you think of?

Never bother with an introduction (waste of exam time).

Always do a conclusion to draw your argument together.

Overall, Wilde uses several methods… Stereotyping is one of these…. Does he

over-rely on it?

Be able to identify the comic aspects of the play DBe able to explain exactly how the play uses these comic devices for effect CBe able to justify opinions and even build on/challenge them. B

Be able to identify the comic aspects of the play DBe able to explain exactly how the play uses these comic devices for effect CBe able to justify opinions and even build on/challenge them. B

Feed forward is to plan a re-write of this essay so that you experience writing a coherent argument.

This time it can be typed.

Be able to identify the comic aspects of the play DBe able to explain exactly how the play uses these comic devices for effect CBe able to justify opinions and even build on/challenge them. B

By end of lesson want you to have written topic sentences for each paragraph with bullet points underneath of what you will be saying (backed

up by a quotation if possible).Can help each other.