Question

read the excerpt from act i of the importance of being earnest. algernon. well, we might trot round to the empire at ten? jack. oh, no! i cant bear looking at things. it is so silly. algernon. well, what shall we do? jack. nothing! algernon. it is awfully hard work doing nothing. however, i dont mind hard work where there is no definite object of any kind. what effect does the paradox in this excerpt have on the reader? it causes the reader to think about the multiple meanings of the word bear in the play. it causes the reader to think about how doing nothing should be easy, but in fact can be quite hard. it causes the reader to realize that doing nothing is never hard work and that algernon is wrong. it causes the reader to realize that jack thinks doing something is always better than doing nothing.

Explanation:

The paradox "It is awfully hard work doing nothing" makes the reader ponder the counter - intuitive idea that an activity seemingly easy (doing nothing) can actually be difficult. It challenges the common perception that doing nothing should be effortless.

Answer:

It causes the reader to think about how doing nothing should be easy, but in fact can be quite hard.