The Importance of Being Earnest: A Reconstructive Critical Edition
Act I: Interview Scene, Lady Bracknell and Jack
Well, yes, I must admit I smoke.
I am glad to hear it. A man should always have an occupation of some kind. There are far too many idle men in London as it is. How old are you?
Twenty-nine.
A very good age to be married at. I have always been of opinion that a man who desires to get married should either know everything or nothing. Which do you know?
I know nothing, Lady Bracknell.
I am pleased to hear it. I do not approve of anything that tampers with
natural ignorance. Ignorance is like a delicate
exotic fruit; touch it, and the bloom is gone.
The whole theory of modern education is radically
unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatever. What is your income?
yes, I] yes - I LC · old] old LC · Twenty-nine.] Twenty nine! LC · nothing.] nothing? LC · touch it,] touch it LC |
AD = Arents-Dolan typescript AF = Arents-Frohman typescript HD = Harvard-Dickens typescript LC = Lord Chamberlain's typescript (licensing copy) |