The research we did helped me in several ways. First of all I can understand the culture and etiquette in the play better then i would have other wise. Like the way Algernon and Jack fight in the end of act two. Instead of yelling the keep mostly calm and target their aggression at other things, like muffins. Also it helps me understand the humor better, there are many things i don't know but know I can see Victorian jokes and puns just a little better.
If I had not done research i would also be confused as to the way Algernon and Jack ask for their brides hands in marriage. In both cases they haven't known the women very long, no more then months which is almost unheard of now a days. But in the Victorian Era women would marry young, and possibly many times. Once married their lives became more interesting, they could get schooling and flirt with more men. All and all I'm appreciate the research we did much more now that I've started ready The Importance of Being Ernest.
