Structures in Poetry and Drama: Question 8 Read the following excerpt from The Importance of Being Earnest, by
Oscar Wilde.
Lady Bracknell. Good afternoon, dear Algernon, I hope you are
behaving very well.
Algernon. I'm feeling very well, Aunt Augusta.
Lady Bracknell. That's not quite the same thing. In fact the two things
rarely go together. [Sees Jack and bows to him with icy coldness.]
Algernon. [To Gwendolen.] Dear me, you are smart!
Gwendolen. I am always smart! Am I not, Mr. Worthing?
Jack. You're quite perfect, Miss Fairfax.
Gwendolen. Oh! I hope I am not that. It would leave no room for
developments, and I intend to develop in many directions. [Gwendolen
and Jack sit down together in the corner.]
How does the author use stage directions to contribute to the meaning of
the text?