The Importance of Being Earnest and Film Version Comparison Paper

Materials for Essay:

Read the following:

View the film version of the play:
- The Importance of Being Earnest (2002).
Take notes on how the film follows, but also diverts from, the original play in terms of its directorial decisions vs. Wilde’s original stage directions.
- What changes do you notice?
- Do you find that they fit the spirit of the original play? In what instances are changes, in your opinion, unnecessary or even deleterious?
- Remember, all authorial AND directorial decisions – including those dealt with in stage directions, both written and filmed – are purposely made; the question you have to ask is to what effect it is done and if that change helps further Wilde’s thematics or hinders them. Obviously this does not have to be either/or, as you may note instances that have multiple impacts.

Essay Direction:

Compose an essay of at least 750 words that compares the written and film versions of The Importance of Being Earnest.

Argue the extent to which changes were made, and what impact such changes have on the reader’s/viewer’s experience. Include in your introduction a thesis statement that sums up your overall argument and previews your main points.
Structure each main body paragraph with a clear and distinct topic sentence (relating to the terms in your thesis) that is followed with analysis of the play and the film to substantiate your claims about the changes.
Conclude your essay by restating, in an engaging way, the main points of your thesis (and corresponding topic sentences) in the same order as presented in the thesis.
Include MLA in-text citations from the written play and the film.
Create a Works Cited entry for every source you have quoted and/or referenced (including the text, the film, and all other sources you used).
You must cite all words or ideas (even if you put them into your own words) that you learned from outside sources. You must cite a source (or sources) in every sentence in which you have relied on an outside source (except for common knowledge). Using words or ideas from outside sources without citing them in-text is plagiarism. Do not plagiarize! Essays containing plagiarism will earn 0 points.