The Importance of Being Earnest: Plot, Characters, and Themes
The Importance of Being Earnest: Plot Summary
Act 1: London Deceptions
The story begins in London, at Algernon Moncrieff’s house. Jack Worthing visits Algernon, but Algernon calls him ‘Ernest.’ Jack explains that in the countryside, he is known as Jack, but when he comes to London, he pretends to be his imaginary brother, Ernest. This way, he can enjoy city life without damaging his reputation. Gwendolen Fairfax, Algernon’s cousin, arrives with her mother, Lady Bracknell. Jack proposes to Gwendolen, and she happily accepts, but she says she loves him because his name is Ernest—it sounds elegant and important. However, Lady Bracknell refuses the marriage when she learns Jack was found as a baby in a handbag at a train station. She insists that he find some respectable family background before marrying Gwendolen.
Act 2: Countryside Complications
Algernon is curious about Jack’s life in the countryside, so he secretly visits Jack’s house, pretending to be ‘Ernest,’ Jack’s fictional brother. There, he meets Cecily Cardew, Jack’s young and beautiful ward. Cecily has always imagined that Ernest is a romantic and exciting man, so she quickly falls in love with Algernon, thinking he is Jack’s brother. Meanwhile, Jack arrives and is shocked to see Algernon pretending to be Ernest. He decides to ‘kill’ his imaginary brother Ernest by saying he has died. However, things become more complicated when Gwendolen also arrives, looking for Jack.
Act 3: Revelations and Resolutions
Gwendolen and Cecily meet and soon discover they are both engaged to ‘Ernest.’ At first, they argue, but then they realize that both Jack and Algernon have lied. The two men admit their deception but insist they love the women sincerely.
Lady Bracknell arrives and refuses to let Gwendolen marry Jack. However, when she hears that Cecily is very rich, she allows Algernon to marry her. Then, Miss Prism, Cecily’s teacher, reveals that she lost a baby in a handbag many years ago. Jack realizes he is that baby—and he is actually Algernon’s older brother! Even more surprisingly, his real name is Ernest. Now that Jack has a proper family background, Lady Bracknell allows him to marry Gwendolen. In the end, both couples—Jack and Gwendolen, Algernon and Cecily—are happily engaged. Jack finally understands ‘the importance of being earnest’ (honest and serious).
About the Author: Oscar Wilde
- Born in Dublin (1854)
- Born into a wealthy family
- He had children
- Imprisoned for homosexuality
- Wrote the novel: The Picture of Dorian Gray
- Best-known play: The Importance of Being Earnest (premiered in 1895)
- Died in 1900
Social Context and Themes
- Uses characters to criticize society
- Uses absurdity and silliness to create parody
- Takes place in London (late 19th century)
- Appearance and possessions are more important than genuine character or wealth
- The importance of maintaining the ‘right’ impression
- Family background and wealth are more important than the individual
- Crucial to marry into the ‘right’ family
- Hypocrisy of the upper class
- People often lead double lives: public versus private
Key Vocabulary
earnest: serio
servant: criado
vicar: vicario
governess: institutriz
either…or…: o uno o el otro
neither…nor…: ni una cosa ni la otra
both… and…: tanto uno como el otro
to christen: bautizar
christening: bautizo
to be engaged: prometido
to get engaged: prometerse
I’m afraid: tengo miedo / me temo que
card: tarjeta
careful: cuidadoso
careless: descuidado
cloakroom: guardarropa
to belong: pertenecer
to pretend: fingir
trouble: problema
muffin: magdalena
out of date: anticuado
wicked: malvado
pleasure: placer
to shake hands: darse la mano
pram: cochecito
Main Characters
- Jack Worthing: A young country gentleman, known as ‘Ernest’ in London.
- Algernon Moncrieff (Algy): Jack’s London friend.
- Lady Augusta Bracknell: Algernon’s aunt.
- Gwendolen Fairfax: Lady Bracknell’s daughter and Algernon’s cousin.
- Cecily Cardew: Jack’s beautiful eighteen-year-old ward.
- Sir Thomas Cardew: The man who found Jack as an abandoned baby.
- Miss Prism: Cecily Cardew’s governess (unmarried).
- Dr. Chasuble: A vicar secretly in love with Miss Prism.
- Lane: Algernon’s servant.
- Merriman: Jack’s servant.
- Bunbury: Algernon’s imaginary invalid friend, used as an excuse to avoid social obligations.