Our focus text for Instructional Cycle 3 is The Importance of Being Earnest, a drama written by author Oscar Wilde. Throughout the novel, relationships and marriage are satirized as Wilde comments on the frivolity of Victorian society. This is an important concept to understand, as marriage and families are found in all societies; however, the practice of marriage and finding a marriage partner vary significantly from culture to culture, or time period to time period. In many cultures and time periods, the relationship before marriage, who one can marry, and how they can marry depends entirely on the social standing or the family of either party. To understand this difference, you will compose a research paper looking at the courting (or dating) and marriage customs of a time period OR culture of your choosing.
PROMPT OPTION #1: Research dating and marriage traditions in a culture different from your own. What makes these customs unique to that specific culture?
Examples of cultures- Indian, African, Japanese, Native American, etc.
PROMPT OPTION #2: Research dating and marriage traditions in a time period different from your own. What makes these customs unique to that specific time period?
Examples of time periods- Victorian era, Renaissance, etc.
Dating Ritual Examples:
Gender roles in dating (based upon culture and/or time period)
Rules of courtship
Possible time frame between dating to marriage?
What does a “date” look like in a specific culture or time period?
Marriage Ritual Examples:
Engagement customs (rings, blessings, etc.)
Wedding ceremony
Wedding attire
Reception
