What best describes the lovers' motivation in the play?

• A. They pursue love while engaging with social ritual and identity games.
• B. They chase wealth without regard for love.
• C. They attempt to escape social expectations by renouncing marriage.
• D. They remain indifferent to love and social expectations.

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is how love in Wilde’s play is inseparable from social performance. The lovers are motivated by a real desire for romance, but their pursuit unfolds inside a web of social rituals, appearances, and identity games. They navigate engagements, class expectations, and even the playful intrigue around names (like the fixation on the name Ernest) as part of their courtship. This shows that their motivation isn’t just about affection in a vacuum; it’s love filtered through the rules, symbols, and performances of Victorian society. The other possibilities miss this blend: wealth isn’t the driving force of the lovers, they aren’t trying to renounce marriage, and they certainly aren’t indifferent to love or to social expectations.