Read the excerpt from act i of the importance of being earnest. algernon. [languidly.] i don’t know that i am much interested in your family life, lane. lane. no, sir; it is not a very interesting subject. i never think of it myself. algernon. very natural, i am sure. that will do, lane, you. lane. you, sir. [lane goes out.] algernon. lane’s views on marriage seem somewhat lax. really, if the lower orders don’t set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them? they seem, as a class, to have absolutely no sense of moral responsibility. how does wilde use this conversation to poke fun at the class divisions of his day? algernon holds his servant to an unreasonable standard because he expects the lower classes to be good examples for the upper class. algernon excuses his servant after lane provides refreshments, and the two men chat about marriage and family life. lane defends marriage while algernon jokes about it. lane lectures algernon about his disrespectful attitude.

Algernon holds his servant to an unreasonable standard because he expects the lower classes to be good examples for the upper class.

In the excerpt Algernon says, "if the lower orders don't set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them? They seem as a class, to have absolutely no sense of moral responsibility." In the quote, Algernon shows that he is expecting Lane, who is of a lower class, to show him how he is supposed to live. He is clearly stating that the lower class should have a high set of morals to which the upper class can use as an example of how to live.

1. the details that would clarify the authors purpose for writing would be after the "haley collected used soccer jersey and sent them to guatemalan children." part, he would say, "and you can also donate today to save ". so far in the text, you can see no such thing. if, near the end the author persuades you to donate to guatemalans, then you know that the author's reason to write is to persuade you.

2. what details would make the text more engaging is to see the guatemalan children's reaction to getting free jerseys.

3. the details that convey the author's attitude would be an opinion by the author, for example, if he said, "haley was a very nice girl " or, you can find the attitude by finding parts of haley's personality that he highlights. you can strengthen your tones by using more descriptive words, and simplify long sentences as much as you can.

you're welcome ; p

5

explanation: 4