Influenza Quote by Oscar Wilde
““JACK: Apoplexy will do perfectly well, Lots of people die of apoplexy, quite suddenly, don't they? ALGERNON: Yes, but it's hereditary, my dear fellow. It's a sort of thing that runs in families. JACK: Good heavens! Then I certainly won't choose that. What can I say? ALGERNON: Oh! Say influenza. JACK Oh, no! that wouldn't sound probable at all. Far too many people have had it.””
About This Quote
Source Play: The Importance of Being Earnest, 1895
Characters humorously discuss choosing a disease as an excuse, highlighting absurdity of social conventions.
In simple terms: They joke about picking a disease to avoid responsibility.
Key Takeaway
Question the logic behind social excuses.
Themes
humor
social critique
absurdity
Mood
witty
critical
Type
satirical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- social gatherings
- political satire
- personal justification
- public speaking
Key Concepts
Victorian society
euphemism
avoidance tactics
Questions to Reflect On
- What excuses do we use today?
- How does humor reveal societal pressures?
A Different Perspective
The joke may downplay real health concerns.
