English Literature - Day 14
Today, we will be looking or rather analysing the scene in which Gwenloden meets Cecily. Here is a brief summary of how Gwendolen got along with Cecily during the start, middle and end of their conversation:
Gwendolen saying to Cecily, "I never travel without my diary.
One should always have something sensational to
read in the train."
There is an intriguing scene in Act II, which was on page 33-39, when Cecily met Gwendolen. The purpose of Gwendolen to arrive at Jack's house, was to meet her beloved Earnest. Since Jack wasn't avaliable, Gwendolen had to meet Cecily. And during the start of their conversation, they passed on alot of angelic and saintlike comments, which then turned into amusing, mocking, unpleasant ones.
They started off with a firm handshake, introducing themselves and taking their respective seats, which looked quite formal.
Gwendolen thought that Cecily was that she was a sweet girl. And she was quite confident about it. This was illustrated when Gwendolen said "What a very sweet name!" and "My first impressions of people are never wrong". This proves my point, as it seems like Gwendolen has found her younger sister. She starts talking more casually and informally with Cecily.
As the conversation carries on, they start to know about their cultural backgrounds and family beliefs. All over sudden, the topic changes to Mr. Worthing. Here both the characters are looking at each other quite suspiciously, when they don't know that they had been trapped in a confusion.
The altercation began when Cecily mentioned proudly "I am Mr. Worthing's ward". To which Gwendolen wickedly replies "I cannot help expressing a wish you were — well, just a little older than you seem to be and not quite so very alluring in appearance." This flagitious and sinful thought of Gwendolen seems to show jealously and enviousness towards Cecily, as she is petrified that Earnest might fall in love with his ward.
The tension starts to build up of this play, when Cecily mentions the name "Earnest". They both had said that it is going to be published in the newspaper, and Cecily thought that Gwendolen was mean and harsh, as reffering to this quote "Do you suggest, Miss Fairfax, that I entrapped Ernest into an engagement? How dare you? This is no time for wearing the shallow mask of manners. When I see a spade I call it a spade." This means to say that Cecily used a metaphor to describe Gwendolen being a spade, as she is acting harsh on her.
Cecily and Gwendolen eating tea cakes, bread/butter and tea
They were even mean when they were calmly eating tea cakes, bread/butter and tea. Cecily cunningly adds more lumps of sugar, to save her love from Gwendolen.
Later, Algernon and Jack appear in the scene to admit that they are not "Earnest". Before leaving, they asked about their brother, Earnest. Jack and Algy were ashamed to admit that Earnest was just a made up character, so both the woman quite clear that they were not getting married to anyone.
Cecily and Gwendolen feeling cheated
Feeling cheated and decieved, they left the room together. As referring to this quote "An admirable idea! Mr. Worthing, there is just one question I would like to be permitted to put to you. Where is your brother Ernest? We are both engaged to be married to your brother Ernest, so it is a matter of some importance to us to know where your brother Ernest is at present." To which Jack replies "Gwendolen—Cecily—it is very painful for me to be forced to speak the truth. It is the first time in my life that I have ever been reduced to such a painful position, and I am really quite inexperienced in doing anything of the kind. However, I will tell you quite frankly that I have no brother Ernest. I have no brother at all. I never had a brother in my life, and I certainly have not the smallest intention of ever having one in the future." This means to say that both women felt pity on each other, and become sisterly to each other again.
To sum up, Oscar Wilde creates tension, as it has already reached the most interesting part of the play.
We are learning to analyse how Cecily and Gwendolen first met.
Today, we will be looking or rather analysing the scene in which Gwenloden meets Cecily. Here is a brief summary of how Gwendolen got along with Cecily during the start, middle and end of their conversation:
 |
| Gwendolen saying to Cecily, "I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train." |
They started off with a firm handshake, introducing themselves and taking their respective seats, which looked quite formal.
Gwendolen thought that Cecily was that she was a sweet girl. And she was quite confident about it. This was illustrated when Gwendolen said "What a very sweet name!" and "My first impressions of people are never wrong". This proves my point, as it seems like Gwendolen has found her younger sister. She starts talking more casually and informally with Cecily.
The altercation began when Cecily mentioned proudly "I am Mr. Worthing's ward". To which Gwendolen wickedly replies "I cannot help expressing a wish you were — well, just a little older than you seem to be and not quite so very alluring in appearance." This flagitious and sinful thought of Gwendolen seems to show jealously and enviousness towards Cecily, as she is petrified that Earnest might fall in love with his ward.
The tension starts to build up of this play, when Cecily mentions the name "Earnest". They both had said that it is going to be published in the newspaper, and Cecily thought that Gwendolen was mean and harsh, as reffering to this quote "Do you suggest, Miss Fairfax, that I entrapped Ernest into an engagement? How dare you? This is no time for wearing the shallow mask of manners. When I see a spade I call it a spade." This means to say that Cecily used a metaphor to describe Gwendolen being a spade, as she is acting harsh on her.
 |
| Cecily and Gwendolen eating tea cakes, bread/butter and tea |
They were even mean when they were calmly eating tea cakes, bread/butter and tea. Cecily cunningly adds more lumps of sugar, to save her love from Gwendolen.
Later, Algernon and Jack appear in the scene to admit that they are not "Earnest". Before leaving, they asked about their brother, Earnest. Jack and Algy were ashamed to admit that Earnest was just a made up character, so both the woman quite clear that they were not getting married to anyone.
 |
| Cecily and Gwendolen feeling cheated |
To sum up, Oscar Wilde creates tension, as it has already reached the most interesting part of the play.
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