SOCIAL COMMENTARY PROJECT OF CHOICE

Each person or pair will complete a project, which explores ideals of the

Victorian Era, elements of social commentary in The Importance of Being

Earnest or the idea of art as social commentary, or social commentary as art.

You may choose do demonstrate this exploration in many different ways. All projects must be presented in class and

must include a visual of some sort in order to receive credit.

REQUIREMENTS

-3-4 page essay exploring Victorian ideals as presented in IOBE, or looking at elements of social commentary in IOBE

-Entertainment news style video in which you explore the lives of the characters in IOBE, and the social commentary

Wilde presents in the play

-Create “Fakebook” profiles for 2 or more characters from IOBE, and show interactions between the characters.

-Create a Twitter conversation (simitator.com or faketweetbuilder.com) between the main characters of

IOBE in which they carry out important scenes from the play via Twitter. #bunbury #fakeernest

#sugarisnolongerfashionable

PROJECT SUGGESTIONS

-Choose an element of culture of the Victorian era to explore and present to us through a prezi, powerpoint or

video.

-Create a “character map” based on a main character from the play.

-Write and act out (live or through video) your own social commentary play which presents a satire of modern day

culture.

These are just ideas. You are welcome to come up with another way to meet the requirements of the project.

All new project concepts must be approved by me.

CONTINUED

THE STRANGEST TRADITION OF THE VICTORIAN ERA:

POST-MORTEM PHOTOGRAPHY

After the invention of daguerrotype, (first widely used photographic process) the memorializing habits of people have changed: they've chosen the cheap, higher quality photographs instead of expensive and not so lifelike paintings. Painting dead people was common for centuries, so it's no surprise that, in the Victorian Era, post-mortem photos also came into fashion

INFANTS AND CHILDREN

Because of the high childhood and infant mortality rate, this was a significant way to memorializing lost family

members. In some cases, this was the only photograph that depicted the entire family together.

FAMILY PORTRAITS

As a family member has passed away, this was their final opportunity to include that person in a family photo.

ADULTSFINAL VISUAL DOCUMENTATION

The enbalmed body of John O'Connor, a recluse from Nebraska, two and a half years after his death (Feb. 1916)

BUT HOW DO THESE BODIES STAND?

WHAT DOES THIS TELL USE ABOUT THE CULTURE???