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VIII. Discuss the paradoxes.
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a) Read the definitions of a paradox and a pun which are so characteristic of O. Wilde's plays, as "he was a man who was fascinated by paradox and found it to be his most efficient means of communication".
Paradox is a statement that seems to say something opposite to common sense or truth, but which may contain a truth.
e. g. More haste, less speed.
Pun (a play on words) is a humorous use of words which sound the same or of two meanings of the same word.
e. g. The name of the play "The Importance of Being Earnest" is a pun itself where Ernest is a name and earnest is an adjective "serious".
B) Prove that the following statements are paradoxes.
1. "I find that little things are so very difficult to do".(Sir R. Ch.p. 181)
2. "Nothing ages like happiness". (L. G. p. 184)
3. "You have a splendid position, but it is your splendid position that makes you so vulnerable". (Mrs. Chev. p. 193)
4...., now that the House of Commons is trying to become useful, it does a great deal of harm". (L. Mark. p. 178)
5. "I adore political parties. They are the only place left to us where people don't talk politics". (L. G. p. 184)
6. "We have married perfect husbands, and we are well punished for it". (Mrs. March, p. 185)
7. "I love talking about nothing, father. It is the only thing I know anything about". (L. G. p. 184)
C) Analyse the above examples from the point of view of the linguistic basis of a paradox.
IX. Which stylistic devices are used in Act I? (repetition, inversion,comparison, metaphor, irony). Find examples and say what effect is achieved.
X. Give synonyms to or paraphrase the given words and phrases used in the play. Explain their difference.
To alter; to decline; to condemn; astounding; entirely; to drift apart; this moment; to flatter; tedious; speculation; to have a great desire for food; to adore; hazard; to show the influence of too many schools.
XI. Translate into Russian the passage on pp. 192-193 in writing.
Mrs. Cheveley: "My dear Sir Robert, what then?... in favour of this scheme".
XII. "An Ideal Husband" is a comedy of manners, so it is no wonder it is rich in adjectives which describe people, actions, manners, etc. Owing to the plot the play is full of "negative" adjectives.
Pick out 10 such words and say who or what is described.
XIII. Express your opinion.
1. Whose point of view do you share:
Sir Robert: "I am not changed. But circumstances alter things".
Lady Chiltern: "Circumstances should never alter principles!" (p. 200).
2. Do you agree that "Sooner or later we have all to pay for what we do?" (Mrs. Cheveley. p. 193).
XIV. Choose a scene (a dialogue) and act it out. Account for your choice (pair and individual work). Use the functional phrases(Ref. Ex. II).
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XV. What scene may be considered as the climax of Act I?Describe it. Use the functional phrases (Ref. Ex. II).
XVI. Discuss any scene of Act I. Speak about motives of behaviour,reactions, consequences, etc. Use the functional phrases (ref.Ex. II) as well as the list of starters below (pair work).
How do you feel about...; What do you think about...; I wonder why, when, how, etc...; You know what I think about...; What's your opinion about...; What makes you say that...; Do you really mean to say that...; Well, as I see it...; Wouldn't you say that...; There is a point in what you say; Something else I'd like to know is this...; There is just one more point I'd like to make...; In order to give a fairly clear picture...; I couldn't have put it better myself...; That's exactly what I think...; I can't agree more...; I don't guite see the point...; I am not sure I guite agree...; I don't guite see what you mean...; All things considered I must say...; On the one hand..., on the other hand...; Although it's true to say that...; I suppose that's true in a way, but...; Yes, but isn't it also true to say that...; Well, how shall I put it? Well, actually...; I'm not sure what you mean by...; What's your experience?
XVII. Exchange your impressions of Act I. Use some of the above phrases.
XVIII. Give a brief summary of Act I.
Second Act
I. a) Find English equivalents of the following phrases:
отвлекать внимание от (р. 205); поддаться соблазну (р. 208); судить о ком-то по чему-либо (р. 208); быть помолвленным с (р. 210); стоит что-то делать (р. 212); иметь влияние на кого-либо (р. 212); сделать предложение (р. 218); устаревший (р. 219); очень громко (р. 219); быть высокого мнения о (р. 219); одобрять что-либо (р. 223); применять что-либо в отношении кого-либо/чего-либо (р. 227); быть обязанным кому-то чем-то (р. 228); совершить ошибку (р. 230).
B) Recall the sentences in which the phrases are used in Act II.
II. Translate into English.
1. Вы не знаете, что может ожидать вас, если вы не покинете этот дом тотчас же. 2. Вы серьезно считаете, что женщин, совершивших ошибку, никогда нельзя простить? 3. Всегда стоит задать вопрос, но не всегда стоит отвечать на него. 4. Джек должен был отвлечь полицейского, пока я отпирал дверь. 5. Да, все это очень хорошо, но я боюсь, что тетя Августа не одобрит твое присутствие здесь. 6. Пусть ваш муж скажет, чем он обязан своему положению в обществе. 7. Вчера вечером Томми сделал мне предложение в музыкальной комнате. 8. Роберт высокого мнения о мистере Треффорде. Он считает, что его ждет блестящее будущее. 9. Она считает, что раскаяние нынче не в моде. 10. Говорят, она имеет на него влияние. 11. Я помолвлена с мистером Уордингом, мама. 12. Нельзя судить о характере человека по форме его подбородка или по цвету глаз.
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III. Paraphrase using the original words and phrases from Act II.
in a very loud voice; to make a mistake; to have an influence on; to fall to temptation; to tell the whole truth; out of fashion; to like smth.
IV. What new touches does Act II add to the portraits of the four main characters?
A) Write out the words and phrases that describe them in Act II.
B) Discuss the motives of their behaviour. Use the functional phrases (Ref. Act I, Ex. II and XVI) (pair work).
V. a) Read the following piece of "A Literary Exploration of O. Wilde" by Christopher S. Nassaar.
Characters and their Masks
1. When Sir Robert Chiltern first appears, he is described as being nervous and self-conscious. He has every right to be nervous,for his wife sees him as inhumanly flawless, and consequently he has to wear a permanent mask or lose her love. "Oh! What a mask you have been wearing all these years! A horrible painted mask".(Lady Chiltern).
2. Lord Goring hides his heart behind a trivial buttonhole and a nonserious pose. His father continually accuses him of being shallow, but ironically, it is the father who is shallow, for he fails to recognize the reality behind the delightful toy mask his son wears.
3. There is a split between public life and private life. The public world is one of sordid speculations and self-seeking power-hungry creatures, while the private world is beautiful, unsoiled, innocent.Lady Chiltern admits public life into her private world, but she sees it masked without realizing what is behind the mask.
B) Answer the questions.
1. What man is behind Sir Robert's mask?
2. What reality is hidden behind the delightful toy mask of Lord Goring?
3. Who are "self-seeking power-hungry creatures" and what are"sordid speculations" in the play?
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