What marks the play's resolution in terms of truth and social harmony?

• A. The play ends in tragedy
• B. Uncovering and integrating true lineage restores marriages and social order
• C. Truth is ignored and bonds are broken
• D. Deception continues to reign

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is that the play resolves through revelations about identity and lineage that allow harmony to be restored in social life. By the end, true parentage and rightful connections come to light, making the engagements acceptable within the social world Wilde satirizes. Jack is revealed to be the legitimate heir to the estate thanks to his true birth, which legitimizes his suit to Gwendolen. At the same time, Cecily and Algernon’s engagements are placed on solid footing because the social obstacles linked to status are overcome. With these truths integrated, the marriages proceed and social order is restored, delivering a light, comic closure rather than tragedy or ongoing deception. The other options miss that the resolution hinges on truth aligning with accepted social norms to bring about union and stability.