THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST: A TRIVIAL COMEDY FOR SERIOUS PEOPLE
"The truth is rarely pure and never simple"
― Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest
The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People is a play by Oscar Wilde is a play first performed in London, 1895.
The story encompasses the themes of popular culture, class conflict, courtship, marriage, and deceit, among others.
The story starts with Ernest Worthing visiting his friend Algernon Moncrieff. Somehow in this visit, Ernest is forced to admit to living a double life and that his real name is Jack.
Jack leads a boring life in the country as a responsible guardian for Cecily, a young ward. He assumes the identity of a seedy younger brother named Earnest to enjoy the urban social life.
Algernon confesses a similar deception: he reveals to have a non-existent invalid friend named Bunbury, whom he can visit whenever he wishes to avoid something.
Jack is in love with Gwendolen Fairfax, Algernon´s cousin. Jack cuts a deal with Algernon to distract Lady Bracknell, Gwendolen´s mother, as Jack proposes to Gwendolen. In return, Jack will dine with Algernon that night so he can avoid dining with his aunt, Lady Bracknell.
The plan worked because Gwendolen is smitten by the name Ernest but Lady Bracknell enters the room and interrupts. Lady Bracknell deemed Jack unworthy of her child upon learning he is an orphan and tells him to find his parents first. Jack, still posing as Earnest, gives his country address to Gwendolen.
Algernon overhears it and takes note.
Algernon announced that he´s visiting Bunbury the next day- but goes to Jack´s address. He went as Earnest. Cecily has been interested in the tales of Earnest, sooner than later, Cecily and Algernon- still posing as Earnest, started flirting.
Algernon´s presence interrupted Jack´s plan to abandon his double life and announcing Earnest´s death.
At that moment, Gwendolen enters and finds the two not earnest men.
What will happen to the;Earnest´s? Will Jack find his parents? How will it end for the couples?
Read this interesting book now and find out the importance of being earnest!
