Question

What does Cecily tell her governess, Miss Prism, that she wishes Jack would allow?

• A. A pet snake
• B. A party in Hertfordshire
• C. A trip to London
• D. A visit from Ernest

Answer 1

Answer:

D. A visit from Ernest

• Cecily tells her governess, Miss Prism, that she wishes Jack would allow his (imaginary) brother Ernest to visit them at the country house.

• She expresses this desire because she finds the idea of Jack’s supposedly wicked brother exciting and intriguing. She tells Miss Prism:

• "I wish Uncle Jack would allow Ernest to come down here sometimes. We might have a good influence over him. I’m sure you certainly would, Miss Prism."

• Cecily has romanticized Ernest, even though he doesn’t actually exist. This wish sets up the comic misunderstanding when Algernon arrives pretending to be Ernest, allowing Cecily’s fantasy to seemingly become reality.