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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. Why was "Salome" not performed?

2. What is Oscar Wilde's relationship with Major Nelson?

3. Where does Oscar Wilde go after his first trial?

4. What was Oscar Wilde's daily routine in prison?

5. What happened as a consequence of Oscar Wilde's move to Naples?

Short Essay Questions

1. What disturbing incidents does Oscar Wilde witness before leaving prison?

2. Why does Oscar Wilde refuse to flee from England to Paris?

3. What was the outcome of Oscar Wilde's lawsuit against his lover's father, Lord Queensberry?

4. Were Oscar Wilde and his lover, Lord Alfred Douglas, faithful to each other?

5. How do conditions change for Oscar Wilde when Major Nelson takes over at Reading jail?

6. How does Lord Alfred Douglas try to help Oscar Wilde while Wilde is in prison?

7. What happens to Oscar Wilde's allowance from his mother after he leaves prison?

8. How do Oscar Wilde's aesthetics develop during his time in Paris in 1891?

9. Why did Lord Alfred Douglas' parents refuse to press charges against Oscar Wilde?

10. Describe the conditions under which Oscar Wilde was writing "The Importance of Being Earnest."

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What were the social conditions surrounding homosexuality in Oscar Wilde's times? What did his fellow students feel about homosexuality? What did the school authorities feel? What did society feel? Were there different groups among whom homosexuality was more acceptable?

Essay Topic 2

Oscar Wilde came into prominence as a friend and opponent of James McNeill Whistler. Describe how Oscar Wilde used controversy and debate and personal invective to his own purposes. What does Wilde gain from his contests, with Whistler and other critics, and then with the Marquis of Queensberry--as a person? What does he gain as a public personality?

Essay Topic 3

Oscar Wilde's mother urged him to marry a woman with money. Who else made suggestions as to whom Wilde should marry? Was there ever a time when he considered not marrying? Was Wilde's homosexuality an impediment to his marriage? How did he reconcile his homosexuality and his marriage? How did his wife? What trials or difficulties did Wilde's homosexuality present to Wilde and Constance as their marriage changed over time?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 777 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample