Illustration of Jack Worthing in a top hat and formal attire, and a concerned expression on his face

The Importance of Being Earnest

by Oscar Wilde

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The Importance of Being Earnest Summary

The Importance of Being Earnest is a play by Oscar Wilde in which friends Jack and Algernon's double-lives interfere with their romantic pursuits.

  • Jack has invented a brother named Ernest, whose identity he assumes while in the city.
  • Jack is courting his friend Algernon's cousin Gwendolen, but her guardian, Lady Bracknell, rejects the match because of Jack's unknown parentage.
  • Algernon visits Jack's estate claiming to be the infamous Ernest in order to court Jack's ward, Cecily.
  • Jack and Algernon's duplicity is revealed, but Cecily and Gwendolen forgive them.
  • Cecily's tutor reveals that Jack is actually Lady Bracknell's long-lost nephew, Ernest, and the couples happily marry.

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Summary

The Importance of Being Earnest is a comedic play written by Oscar Wilde and first performed in 1895. It is a satirical exploration of Victorian norms, manners, and values, particularly focusing on the upper class. The narrative follows two young men, Jack and Algernon, who choose to deceive others to live the lives they desire and avoid their duties. Along the way, they come to realize the importance of being earnest—of being true and intentional in their words.

The play opens in the London flat of Algernon Moncrieff, a wealthy young bachelor. Algernon is expecting the company of his aunt, Lady Bracknell, and cousin, Gwendolen Fairfax, but his friend, "Ernest" Worthing, arrives first. "Ernest" confides in Algernon that he plans to propose to Gwendolen because he loves her. However, Algernon expresses doubts about his friend and wonders about his true identity.

"Ernest" then reveals his real name is Jack Worthing and explains he is the guardian of Cecily Cardew, a wealthy girl in the countryside. Whenever Jack wants to escape his responsibilities and strict manners, he claims to go to London to tend to his misbehaving brother, Ernest. In reality, Jack assumes the identity of Ernest in the city to have fun without tarnishing his reputation. Algernon admits to a similar deception, creating a fictional sick friend named "Bunbury" to avoid unwanted situations.

When Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen arrive, Algernon takes his aunt to a different room to have a conversation with her, while "Ernest" proposes to Gwendolen. Gwendolen happily agrees to Jack's proposal, expressing her long-held desire to marry someone named Ernest and confessing that she adores the name and cannot envision marrying anyone else. Jack decides to officially change his name to Ernest and plans to meet with Dr. Chasuble to schedule a rechristening.

When Lady Bracknell learns of the engagement, she immediately disapproves upon learning that Jack was discovered as a baby in a “handbag” at Victoria Station and does not know his parents. Devastated, Jack decides to "kill off" the character of Ernest. Nevertheless, he shares with Gwendolen the address of his country estate, and Algernon, overhearing, makes note of it to investigate further into his friend's identity.

Soon, Algernon visits Jack's country home in Hertfordshire and pretends to be Jack's brother, Ernest. He meets Cecily and becomes enamored with her, planning to stay until Jack returns and using the opportunity to get closer to Cecily. However, Jack arrives earlier than expected, intending to announce Ernest's “death” in Paris.

When Jack sees Algernon pretending to be Ernest, he realizes he must continue the charade. Cecily is charmed by "Ernest" and reveals her attraction to Jack's adventurous and playful brother based on stories she has heard. Algernon decides to change his name to Ernest, following Jack's lead.

Gwendolen visits Jack's manor and meets Cecily, noticing her “alluring appearance." They realize they are both engaged to Ernest Worthing, and their calm conversation quickly turns chaotic. Jack and Algernon understand the situation and realize they need to confess. Jack admits he pretended to be Ernest in London to see Gwendolen, while Algernon admits he pretended to be Ernest to get to know Cecily better. They agree to be christened Ernest to please their fiancées, who forgive them for their lies.

Suddenly, Lady Bracknell arrives at the estate to inquire about Gwendolen's intentions. Gwendolen boldly declares her plans to marry Jack, but Lady Bracknell adamantly refuses to accept their engagement. She then turns her attention to Cecily, treating her rudely until Cecily reveals her immense inheritance. This revelation sparks Lady Bracknell's interest in the potential match between her nephew and Cecily.

However, Jack, as Cecily's legal guardian, opposes her marriage to Algernon. Lady Bracknell tries to persuade him otherwise, but Jack insists that he will only consent if Lady Bracknell approves of Gwendolen's engagement to him. Angry and feeling manipulated, Lady Bracknell rejects the proposal and attempts to leave with her daughter. However, Dr. Chasuble arrives and intervenes, mentioning the impending christening of both men.

Jack informs Dr. Chasuble that there is no need for their planned christening, prompting Dr. Chasuble to mention his upcoming meeting with Miss Prism, Cecily's governess. Lady Bracknell, upon hearing Miss Prism's name, abruptly stops and insists on seeing her. She reveals that Miss Prism is the same woman who lost Lady Bracknell's baby nephew during a walk 28 years ago.

Miss Prism arrives and apologizes profusely, explaining that she mistakenly left the baby in her handbag, thinking it was her large book, and forgot the handbag at Victoria Station, placing the book in the baby carriage instead. Jack quickly retrieves the handbag he was found in as a baby, which Miss Prism recognizes.

Lady Bracknell then reveals that Jack is the son of her sister, making Algernon his true younger brother. Jack should have been named after his father, Ernest John Moncrieff. The mystery of her nephew's disappearance resolved, Lady Bracknell finally approves of both engagements, to which both the couples celebrate.

Expert Q&A

What are the similarities between "The Importance of Being Earnest" and Wilde's life?

Oscar Wilde's life shares similarities with "The Importance of Being Earnest," particularly in themes of dual identity and deception. Characters like Algernon Moncrieff use fictional personas to lead double lives, mirroring Wilde's own secretive life as a gay man in Victorian England. The play's exploration of "Bunburying"—inventing excuses for secret activities—reflects Wilde's hidden personal life. Additionally, character names and settings subtly reference Wilde's acquaintances and experiences, illustrating his personal connections to the story.

When was The Importance Of Being Earnest written?

Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest was written in 1894 and first performed in 1895.

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