The text of this Norton Critical Edition of Oscar Wildes 1895 comedic tour de force is the established threeact version accompanied by explanatory annotations. ... » 

The text of this Norton Critical Edition of Oscar Wildes 1895 comedic tour de force is the established threeact version accompanied by explanatory annotations. The Importance Of Being Earnest was originally written in four acts but Wilde shortened it to three at the urging of George Alexander the owner of the St. James Theatre and the first actor to play Jack Worthing. The excised portions of the play are included in an appendix. Backgrounds includes essays on Wilde and the 1890s by prominent cultural critics Joseph Donohue Regenia Gagnier and Karl Beckson. Reviews and Reactions presents four contemporary responses to The Importance of Being Earnest by William Archer H. F George Bernard Shaw and H.G. Wells. Seven wideranging recent interpretations likely so promote lively classroom discussions have been selected. Contributors Craft Michael Patrick Gillespie Peter Raby Richard Haslam and Eva Theinpont. A Chronology and Selected Bibliography are also included. The text of this Norton Critical Edition of Oscar Wildes 1895 comedic tour de force is the established threeact version accompanied by explanatory annotations. The Importance Of Being Earnest was originally written in four acts but Wilde shortened it to three at the urging of George Alexander the owner of the St. James Theatre and the first actor to play Jack Worthing. The excised portions of the play are included in an appendix. Backgrounds includes essays on Wilde and the 1890s by prominent cultural critics Joseph Donohue Regenia Gagnier and Karl Beckson. Reviews and Reactions presents four contemporary responses to The Importance of Being Earnest by William Archer H. F George Bernard Shaw and H.G. Wells. Seven wideranging recent interpretations likely so promote lively classroom discussions have been selected. Contributors Craft Michael Patrick Gillespie Peter Raby Richard Haslam and Eva Theinpont. A Chronology and Selected Bibliography are also included. «