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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 does Sir Wilfull bow out of his marriage arrangement with Mrs. Millamant?
2. When accused of adultery, what does Mrs. Fainall do?
3. Why does Lady Wishfort dismiss Foible?
4. Why would tabloid reporters be unable to judge the play?
5. What does Mrs. Marwood do to stop the argument between Petulant and Sir Wilfull in Act 3, Scene 3?
Short Essay Questions
1. Does Congreve achieve his purpose with the endless teasing of Sir Wilfull by his half-brother Witwoud and Petulant?
2. Explain Mrs. Fainall's relief at not being found out by her mother.
3. As a play, The Way of the World met with little success. However, critics believe it is one of the best comedies of manners ever written. Why do you think there is such a difference in opinion between audiences and critics?
4. Why do we feel sympathy for Lady Wishfort even though she is vain and is berating a servant at the beginning Act 5, Scene 1?
5. Explain the significance of the document in the black box.
6. Why does Lady Wishfort come to the conclusion that Sir Wilfull will not make a good husband for Mrs. Millamant?
7. Is Mirabell's elaborate plot going to be successful? Explain why or why not?
8. Why is Mrs. Marwood one of the least sympathetic characters in the play?
9. Explain the significance of Sir Wilfull Witwoud's travels.
10. Why is this play considered to be universal instead of simply a Restoration comedy of manners?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Find at least three examples in the play which show how Mirabell feels about Mrs. Millamant. Is his love true? What is true love? Explain your point of view.
Essay Topic 2
Congreve seemed to be critical of Restoration society for various reasons. Find at least three examples in the play that illustrate his criticism. Explain why he thought each one of these points was negative. How would he have changed these failings? Explain your answer in detail.
Essay Topic 3
Why do you think that the audiences of Restoration society did not like the play? Would audiences today be more receptive? Why or why not.
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This section contains 1,026 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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