“This revised Norton Critical Edition of The Importance of Being Earnest exemplifies the usefulness of the series for generations of students. Michael Patrick Gillespie’s introduction captures the sleight of hand that makes the play at once so irresistible to read and yet difficult to teach. His updated selection of background and critical materials is designed to address those difficulties and support a myriad of reader queries. This will become the gold standard for classroom use.” —Colleen Jaurretche, University of California, Los Angeles
“This Second Edition retains the good material from the first edition, especially Gillespie’s preface—a great introduction to Wilde’s life and the play. The new critical essays supplementing the historical views open great approaches to the paradoxes of the play and Wilde himself. This new edition provides a great text and critical material for reading, for enhancing comprehension, and, most importantly, for enjoying The Importance of Being Earnest. It is a great text for teachers, and a perfect primer for students.” —Tim Gallagher, Messmer High School, Milwaukee, WI
The text of this Norton Critical Edition of The Importance of Being Earnest is the established three-act 1895 version. The play was originally produced in four acts. Wilde shortened it to three at the urging of George Alexander, the owner of the St. James Theatre and first actor to play Jack Worthing. The play is accompanied by explanatory annotations and by an appendix of excised portions.
