The Importance of Being Earnest Commentary

Natalie Mironov
Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB, Hr 4
20 May 2009

"The Importance of Being Earnest"

"MISS PRISM: Lady Bracknell, I admit with shame that

I do not know. I only wish I did. The plain facts of the

case are these. On the morning of the day you mention,

a day that is forever branded on my memory, I pre-

pared as usual to take the baby out in its perambulator.

I had also with me a somewhat old but capacious hand-

bag in which I had intended to place the manuscript of

a work of fiction that I had written during my few

unoccupied hours. In a moment of mental abstraction,

for which I never can forgive myself, I deposited the

manuscript in the bassinette, and placed the baby in

the hand-bag." (Wilde 185)

This section of "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde is about when Miss Prism confuses a baby with her manuscript. She mistakenly puts the baby in her handbag instead of the manuscript. The author's purpose in this passage is to be humorous and entertaining. This is achieved through the use of imagery, connotation, and farce.

Imagery is used to describe the surroundings and the typical actions that were to take place. Miss Prism says she "prepared as usual to take the baby out in its perambulator" (Wilde 185). This is funny because of the irony. The reader knows what really happened and how Miss Prism actually put the baby in an "old but capacious handbag" (Wilde 185). This presents another image of the handbag. It is humorous because of how outrageous a picture it provides of a baby in a large, extravagant handbag.

Similarly, connotation is used to provide entertainment. Miss Prism calls that day one "that is forever branded on my memory" (Wilde 185). The word branded implies that it is unforgettable, which is humorous because she forgot about the baby, confusing it with a manuscript and then leaving it in ia handbag at the train station. The word shame, when Miss Prism said, "I admit with shame" (Wilde 185), has strong connotation symbolizing embarassment and remorse which is funny because it seems like she made no effort to fix her mistake after it happened.

Finally, Wilde uses farce as a final way to ensure the humor in this passage. Miss Prism said, "In a moment of mental abstraction, for which I never can forgive myself, I deposited the manuscript in the bassinette, and placed the baby in the hand-bag" (Wilde 185). This mistaken identity is so improbable that it is comical and extremely entertaining.

In these ways Wilde makes this section humorous and enjoyable for the reader. This was accomplished through his use of imagery, connotation, and farce.

Atsumori Commentary

Natalie Mironov
Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB, Hr 4
5 May 2009

Twice, three times he strikes; then, still saddled,
In close fight they twine; roll headlong together
Among the surf of the shore.
So Atsumori ffell and was slain, but now the wheel of Fate
Has turned and brought him back.
"There is my enemy," he cries, and would strike,
But the other is grown gentle
And calling on Buddha's name
Has obtained salvation for his foe;
So that they shall be reborn together
On one lotus seat
"No, Rensei is not my enemy.
Pray for me again, oh pray for me again."
(Motokiyo 228-240)

This passage is from the play "Atsumori" by Seami Motokiyo. It is about how the priest, Rensei, killed Atsumori, "but now the wheel of Fate/ Has turned and brought him back" (Motokiyo 231-232). Through this the author is trying to portray the themes of peace and forgiveness. Motokiyo achieves this through the use of imagery, dialogue, and allusion.

The use of imagery of Rensei murdering Atsumori and the bad deeds that were committed strengthens the ideals of peace and forgiveness. "Twice, three times he strikes; then, still sddled/In close fight they twine; roll headlong together/ Among the surf of the shore./ So Atsumori fell and was slain" (Motokiyo 228-231). This is showing the passion and hatred put into the fight and is used to demonstrate how if Atsumori is able to forgive Rensei for something as terrible as killing him, people should be able to forgive each other for lesser things.

Dialogue is used to demonstrate the ability to look past the mistakes of another person and to make peace with one another. At first Atsumori declares, "There is my enemy" (Motokiyo 233) when he sees Rensei, but later says, "No, Rensei is not my enemy" (Motokiyo 239). This shows how he was able to forgive and forget after he saw that Rensei had changed and "grown gentle" (Motokiyo 234). This promotes a tranquil atmosphere and peace between people.

Lastly, allusion to Buddhism and Buddhist ideals is very prominent in this passage. It says, "But the other is grown gentle/ And calling on Buddha's name/ Has obtained salvation for his foe" (Motokiyo 234-236). This is alluding to Buddha and nirvana, because by obtaining salvation Rensei is being forgiven for his sins and by not being ignorant and realizing his ways were wrong he is one step closer to achieving nirvana. In the play it also says, "So that they shall be reborn together/ On one lotus seat" (Motokiyo 237-238). This quote refers to the cycle of being reborn, known as samsara. Through samsara one is supposed to be peaceful and do good deeds until they achieve nirvana. The image of being reborn on a lotus is especially strong because the lotus is sacred to Buddhists, so putting it together with samsara is a very calm, beautiful thing. Also, to achieve nirvana one must be forgiving and focus on the present rather than dwell on events of the past and in that way is achieving the author's purpose.


This passage concludes the story and in that way is also the author's purpose for the play as a whole. The themes and literary devices used show a representation of the story because both sides of the issue are present in the passage. Motokiyo's use of imagery, dialogue, and allusion show the importance of peace and forgiveness and how important it is that they are achieved.

As You Like It LRJ #5

Natalie Mironov

Ms. Peifer

English 10 IB, Hr 4

16 March 2009

As You Like It: Act 5

Act Five is when Orlando's main goals of becoming a gentleman and gaining the love of Rosalind are fully achieved. Orlando tells Ganymede, "I can live no longer by thinking" (5.2.53), which means he is no longer able to just pretend Ganymede is Rosalind, he needs Rosalind herself. In response to this Ganymede tells Orlando, "If you do love Rosalind so near the heart as your gesture cries it out, when your brother marries Aliena shall you marry her" (5.2.65-68). This shows that Rosalind finally trusts that Orlando's love is true. As Rosalind she later tells him, "I'll have no husband, if you be not he" (5.4.127), showing that Orlando has finally won over his true love and is able to live happily with her. Before they are married Orlando even says, "That would I, had I kingdoms to give with her" (5.4.10). This means that he would marry her no matter what it took and shows that he is not using her, he truly loves her, and in this way is a gentleman.

Orlando's relationship with Oliver has become strong and he even discusses his upcoming marriage to Aliena with Orlando. Orlando says, "Is 't possible that on so little acquaintance you should like her? That but seeing, you should lover her? And loving, woo? And wooing, she should grant? And will you persever to enjoy her?" (5.2.1-4). This seems a little hypocritcal after Orlando has been wooing Rosalind after falling in love with her immediately, but shows that the bond between the brothers has become strong because they can talk in this way.

As You Like It LRJ #4

Natalie Mironov
Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB, Hr 4
16 March 2009

As You Like It: Act 4

Orlando's main objective in this act is to learn how to win over Rosalind. He asks Ganymede questions, inquiring, "How if the kiss be denied?" (4.1.83), and "Who could be out, being before his beloved mistress?" (4.1.86-87), showing he wants to learn how to better act around her. When he has to leave to eat dinner with the duke he promises to be back by two and Ganymede says, "If you break one jot of your promise or come one minute behind your hour, I will think you the most pathetical break-promise, and the most hollow lover, and the most unworthy of her you call Rosalind that may be chosen out of the gross band of the unfaithful" (4.1.201-206). This shows how important this promise is to Ganymede so Orlando is forced to make a tough decision when he encounters his brother in the forest about to be attacked by a lioness. He debated walking away so that he could keep his promise to Ganymede because Oliver says, "Twice did he turn his back and purposed so, but kindness, nobler ever than revenge, and nature, stronger than his just occasion, made him give battle to the lioness" (4.3.135-137). These qualities in Orlando show how he truly is a gentleman, even without the gentleman's education he desires. It shows his kindness, even to someone who had been as cruel to him as Oliver.

Along with this display of goodness to Oliver, Ganymede asks Orlando questions of marriage, to which Orlando replies that he would love Rosalind "forever and a day" (4.1.152). He also tells Ganymede, "I take some joy to say you are because I would be talking to her" (4.1.94-95), meaning he enjoys pretending Ganymede is Rosalind because it would mean he was able to talk to her everyday. These statements tell of Orlando's true character as devoted and loving, and overall, a gentleman.

Through this all Orlando and Oliver's relationship has changed from one of utter loathing to caring brothers once more. Oliver says that, "In brief, he led me to the gentle duke, who gave me fresh array and entertainment, committing me unto my brother's love" (4.3.151-153). This change proves Orlando to be honorable and forgiving as well.

As You Like It LRJ #3

Natalie Mironov
Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB, Hr 4
15 March 2009

As You Like It: Act 3

By this part of the play, Orlando has become a hopeless romantic, so caught up in love that it is all he can focus on. He uses his setting in the forest to help him express his love for Rosalind. He says, "O Rosalind, these trees shall be my books, and in their barks my thoughts I'll character, that every eye which in this forest looks shall see thy virtue witnessed everywhere" (3.2.5-8). In this way he uses the forest around him to show everyone that passes through, not just Rosalind, how much she means to him.

Although Orlando's overall goal is still to become a gentleman, his current goal has become wooing Rosalind and winning her love. He tells himself he is going to "carve on every tree the fair, the chase, and unexpressive she" (3.2.9-10), meaning he is going to tell everyone of her beauty, her virtue, and how hard it is to express all that she is. Jaques even tells Orlando that "the worst fault you have is to be in love" (3.2.286), to which Orlando replies, "'Tis a fault I will not change for your best virtue" (3.2.287-288). This shows how even though his love is consuming his every action, he would not give it up because it is so meaninful. Although unknowingly, Orlando does begin to achieve this goal when Rosalind, as Ganymede, tells him to "call me Rosalind and come every day to my cote and woo me" (3.2.434-435), but he doesn't know that it's her so he doesn't get the satisfaction from it that he would if he knew it was Rosalind.

Orlando develops a bond with Ganymede, who is really Rosalind, of pretend lovers because Ganymede said to Orlando, "You must call me Rosalind" (3.2.442-443) so that Ganymede can "wash your liver as clean as a sound sheep's heart, that there shall not be one spot of love in 't" (3.2.429-431). In this way Rosalind can test Orlando to see how true his love really is. At this time, Orlando and Jaques have gone from being friendly acquaintances - from when Duke Senior and Jaques aided Orlando and Adam - to despising each other. Jaques says, "Let's meet as little as we can" (3.2.262), and Orlando agrees, saying, "I do desire we be better strangers"' (3.2.263). This shows their distaste for each other due to their differing opinions about Orlando's poems to Rosalind.

As You Like It LRJ #2

Natalie Mironov

Ms. Peifer

English 10 IB, Hr 4

12 March 2009

As You Like It: Act 2

In Act Two, Orlando is a very devoted friend. He is now in the forrest with Adam and is committed to Adam's well being through the entire act. The significance of them being in the forest is that it shows Adam's commitment to take care of Orlando as well. This commitment and the fact that Adam helped Orlando escape from Oliver's plot to kill him strengthened the bond between them and Orlando tells Adam that they will "go along together, and ere we have thy youthful wages spent, we'll light upon some settled low content" (2.3.67-69). Because of this Orlando wants to repay Adam and help him as best he can and this includes when Adam is starving. His goal becomes making sure that Adam survives and this is evident because he says, "If this uncouth forest yield anything savage, I will either be food for it or bring it for food to thee" (2.6.6-7). This quote shows how deep their connection truly is that Orlando is willing to risk his life to save Adam's. Orlando ends up securing food for himself and Adam by threatening Duke Senior and Jacques, who he met in the forest. He tells them, "He dies that touches any of this fruit till I and my affairs are answered" (2.7.103-104). Although this is rude and ungentlemanly, Orlando thought it was necessary to help Adam and when he found out it wasn't he immediately apologized, saying, "Pardon me, I pray you. I thought that all things had been savage here, and therefore put on the countenance of stern commandment" (2.7.111-114).

This display of friendship helps Orlando towards his overall goal of becoming a gentleman. Being a gentleman includes doing honorable things and taking care of one's friends. Orlando achieves this goal and demonstrates that he is a gentleman when he says, "I will bear thee to some shelter, and thou shalt not die for lack of a dinner if there live anything in this desert" (2.6.15-17). This is honorable because it shows he is going to do everything he can to save his friend's life.

Aside from Adam, who Orlando has shown he has a close bond with, he has some relationships that aren't as good. His relationship with his brother Oliver is not as good. He tells the reader that Oliver is "of a diverted blood and bloody brother" (2.3.38), meaning Oliver is violent and they don't even consider each other to be brothers.

As You Like It LRJ #1

Natalie Mironov

Ms. Peifer


English 10 IB, Hr 4


9 March 2009

As You Like It: Act 1

Orlando is the son of Sir Rowland du Bois and the brother of Oliver. In Act One he is living at home on his father's estate which Oliver inherited following Sir Rowland's death. Orlando doesn't enjoy it, saying Oliver "keeps me rustically at home, or, to speak more properly, stays me here at home unkept" (1.1.6-8). This is saying that Oliver keeps him at home in the country, instead of sending him somewhere to be educated, and doesn't properly care for him. Orlando states that "his horses are bred better, for, besides that they are fair with their feeding, they are taught their manage and, to that end, riders dearly hired" (1.1.10-13). In this way he shows how poorly Oliver takes care of him. This treatmant makes Orlando especially desire the gentleman's education his father wanted him to receive and he sets his sights on getting it. To get what he wants, Orlando demands that Oliver "allow me such exercises as may become a gentleman, or give me the poor allotery my father left me by testament" (1.1.70-73). This is the passion for education and importance Orlando places in it. It shows that he wants it badly enough that he would do anything for it or settle for something less, as long as it shows the promise of being able to become educated.

In this act Orlando also shows off his intelligence and bravery because, while Charles is constantly saying that he's going to win, Orlando responds telling him "you mean to mock me after, you should not have mocked me before" (1.2.202-203). This shows that he knows a person can't know the outcome of something before it has happened and must not be to full of themself. When talking about Charles, he also states that, "He is the general challenger, I come but in as others do, to try with him the strength of my youth" (1.2.163-165). This shows that although Orlando doesn't want to be viewed as a coward, he still wouldn't challenge Charles of his own accord because he knows it would be a foolish thing to do.

Although Orlando and Oliver do not like each other or get a long, and Celia mentions that Duke Frederick doesn't care for him, Orlando appears to have a good relationship with all other characters in the play. Celia says, "By this kind of chase I should hate him, for my father hated his father dearly. Yet I hate not Orlando: (1.3.30-33). This shows that he must be a charismatic, likeable person. The reader also sees his charisma in the relationship between him and Rosalind. After just meeting they both have strong feelings for one another and Orlando says, "What passion hangs these weights upon my tongue? I cannot speak to her, yet she urged conference" (1.1.258-259). This shows how lovestruck Orlando is and how strong the bond is between him and Rosalind.