Question

The main effect of the pun in the excerpt is that it

confuses the reader.
creates a funny moment.
creates a serious moment.
explains something to the reader.

Jack. My dear Algy, you talk exactly as if you were a dentist. It is very vulgar to talk like a dentist when one isn’t a dentist. It produces a false impression.

Answer 1

B.) it creates a funny moment

Answer 2

Answer: The right answer is: It creates a funny moment.

Explanation: In this excerpt from Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, Jack/Ernest is replying to Algernon's request: "Come, old boy, you had much better have the thing out at once." Algernon wants to find out why Jack is also Ernest, but he is trying to downplay the issue by expressing himself in such humorous way. Jack's reply is also humorous, thus contributing to the overall sarcastic and funny tone of the conversation.