View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What detail does Lady Windemere point out about the fan that is her birthday present?

2. What would make life simpler, in Lady Windemere's opinion?

3. Lord Windemere claims that Lady Windemere's refusal to accept Mrs. Erlynne will:

4. What does Lady Windemere believe about her mother?

5. Augustus is:

Short Essay Questions

1. What do all the men assume about Mrs. Erlynne's presence in Darlington's rooms?

2. Why is Mrs. Erlynne so upset about her daughter's letter?

3. How does Lady Windemere describe her feelings now that she is at Darlington's house?

4. What suggestion does the Duchess have for Lady Windemere's problem with her husband?

5. What does the Windemere's conversation about men and women reveal about Lady Windemere's opinion of men?

6. Why do the men appear to admire Mrs. Erlynne?

7. How would Lady Windemere create a scandal for her husband?

8. Why does the Duchess claim to feel totally secure at the Windemeres' house?

9. Why has Lord Augustus asked Lord Windemere about Mrs. Erlynne?

10. What repayment can Lady Windemere offer Mrs. Erlynne for her sacrifice of the previous evening?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider Lord Darlington's statement that "[he] can resist anything but temptation." Write an essay in which you explore:

1) the statement's significance to the characterization of Lord Darlington

2) The statement's effect on Lady Windemere and her later actions

3) The statement's relevance to the events of the message of the play.

Essay Topic 2

Consider the role gossip plays in the development of plot in Lady Windemere's Fan. Then write an essay in which you:

1) Discuss the significance of gossip to the events of the four acts, 2) Explore Wilde's message about gossip, referring to specific incidents in the play, or 3) Identify three examples of gossip in the play that directly relate to the development of the plot.

Essay Topic 3

Consider the motif of loyalty explored in the play. Write an essay in which you:

1) Define at least three characters as loyal or disloyal, 2) Explore Wilde's message about loyalty in the play, or 3) Explore one character's actions and describe them as either loyal or disloyal.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 775 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample