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

Short Answer Questions

1. What word does Lady Windemere use to describe people who have extramarital affairs?

2. What does Mrs. Erlynne tell Lord Windemere about the letter he finds?

3. If Mrs. Erlynne comes to her home, Lady Windemere claims she will:

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

5. Lord Augustus immediately questions Lord Windemere about:

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the relationship between the Duchess and her daughter Agatha.

2. Why did Lord Windemere give Mrs. Erlynne money, according to her?

3. What does Lady Windemere discover about the photograph of herself with her son, and why is it significant?

4. Why might Lady Windemere announce that she is available to all visitors when Parker tells her Darlington has come to call?

5. What is Cecil Graham's attitude about women?

6. How is Mrs. Erlynne able to control Lord Windemere?

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

8. What does Mrs. Erlynne have to say about the fogs of London, and what does she mean?

9. Why does Lord Darlington claim he talks trivially?

10. Why does Lady Windemere warn Darlington about his flattering statements?

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

Which characters exhibit hypocrisy in the play? Write an essay in which you explore hypocrisy on the part of:

1) Lady Windemere, 2) Mrs. Erlynne, or 3) The Duchess of Berwick.

Or, write an essay in which you explore the hypocrisy in any male character's behavior.

Essay Topic 3

Consider what Wilde's characters reveal about society and its hypocrisy in Lady Windemere's Fan. Then write an essay in which you:

1) Identify any three acts of hypocrisy in the play, and connect them to societal norms or expectations, 2) Explore society's apparent attitude toward hypocrisy in the play, and compare it to society's hypocrisy now, or 3) Explain Wilde's emphasis on hypocrisy in the play, and determine how it contributes to his theme.

(see the answer keys)

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