Class Assignment
Summary of Important of Being Earnest :
Oscar Fingal O'Fflahertie Wills Wilde[a] (16 October 1854 – 30 November 1900) was an Irish author, poet, and playwright. After writing in different literary styles throughout the 1880s, he became one of the most popular and influential dramatists in London in the early 1890s.[3] He contributed to the Aestheticism movement of the period and is regarded by most literary commentators as the greatest playwright of the Victorian era.[4] Wilde is best remembered for his Gothic novel The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890), his epigrams, plays, and bedtime stories for children, as well as his criminal conviction in 1895 for gross indecency for homosexual acts.(Click here for a detailed biography
About the play:
The Importance of Being Earnest, a Trivial Comedy for Serious People is a play by Oscar Wilde,the last of his four drawing-room plays, following Lady Windermere's Fan (1892), A Woman Of no Importance (1893) and An Ideal Husband (1895). First performed on 14 February 1895 at theSt James's Theatre in London, it is a farcical comedy depicting the tangled affairs of two young man about town who lead double lives to evade unwanted social obligations, both assuming the name Ernest while wooing the two young women of their affections.
Summary of play:
Jack Worthing is a respected man in Hertfordshire, where he takes care of 18-year-old Cecily Cardew, whose grandfather found and adopted Jack when he was a baby. Jack has important responsibilities, owning land, being a judge, and employing many people. For years, he's made up a story about having a troublemaking brother named Ernest, who supposedly gets into bad situations, so Jack can leave and do what he wants. But the truth is, there is no Ernest - Jhhack just uses that name when he goes to London to have fun, which is probably the same kind of fun he pretends to disapprove of!
Jack is in love with Gwendolen, who is the cousin of his best friend Algernon. One day,Algernon finds a clue that makes him think Jack might be hiding something. He discovers a message in Jack's cigarette case from someone named Cecily, who calls Jack "Uncle Jack". This makes Algernon wonder if Jack is leading a secret life.
Algernon thinks it's normal for people to have secret lives, and he even has a name for it:"Bunburyist". He got this idea from a fake friend he made up, named Bunbury, who is always supposedly sick. Whenever Algernon wants to avoid something boring, he says he needs to visit Bunbury, who is "dying". It's just an excuse!So, Algernon thinks Jack might be a "Bunburyist"too, and he's curious to learn more about Jack's secret life.At the beginning of Act 1, Jack drops in unexpectedly on Algernon and announces that heintends to propose to Gwendolen. Algernon confronts him with the cigarette case and forces himto come clean, demanding to know who “Jack” and “Cecily” are. Jack confesses that his nameisn’t really Ernest and that Cecily is his ward, a responsibility imposed on him by his adoptivefather’s will. Jack also tells Algernon about his fictional brother. Jack says he’s been thinking ofkilling off this fake brother, since Cecily has been showing too active an interest in him. Without meaning to, Jack describes Cecily in terms that catch Algernon’s attention and make him even more interested in her than he is already.
Gwendolen and her mother, Lady Bracknell, arrive, which gives Jack an opportunity to propose to Gwendolen. Jack is delighted to discover that Gwendolen returns his affections, but he is alarmed to learn that Gwendolen is fixated on the name Ernest, which she says “inspires absolute confidence.” Gwendolen makes clear that she would not consider marrying a man who was not named Ernest.Lady Bracknell wants to know if Jack is a good match for her daughter Gwendolen, so she ask him about his family. Jack tells her that he doesn't know who his parents are because he was adopted. He explains that he was found as a baby in a handbag at a train station! Lady Bracknell shocked and thinks this is a scandal. She decides that Jack is not good enough for her daughter and leaves the house in a hurry.In Act 2, Algernon visits Jack's country home, pretending to be Jack's brother Ernest. But Jack has already decided to stop using the fake "Ernest" story and shows up acting sad, saying That ernest has died in Paris. He's angry to find Algernon there, pretending to be Ernest, but can't say anything because he's been lying too! If he tells the truth, his own secrets will come out.
While Jack is changing his mourning clothes, Algernon tells Cecily that he loves her and ask her to marry him. But Cecily already thinks they're engaged! She's been dreaming up a romantic story about them for months, ever since she heard about "Uncle Jack's brother". Algernon is delighted, but then Cecily says she loves the name Ernest because it makes her trust him completely. This makes Algernon a bit worried, because he's pretending to be Ernest!Algernon goes to find the local priest, Dr. Chasuble, to get baptized as Ernest. Meanwhile,Gwendolen shows up unexpectedly to visit Jack. She meets Cecily in the garden, who tries to act like a hostess and orders tea. But both women are confused about each other's relationships With jack and Ernest. Gwendolen thinks Cecily is just a visitor, but Cecily says she's Jack's ward (like an adopted daughter). Cecily also says she's engaged to Ernest, but Gwendolen says that's impossible because she's engaged to Ernest too! The tea party turns into a polite but tenseargument.Jack and Algernon show up during the argument between Gwendolen and Cecily. Both men had planned to get baptized as Ernest that day! But then, the truth comes out: Cecily tells Gwendolen that her fiance real name is Jack, and Gwendolen tells Cecily that her fiance real name is Algernon. Both women want to know where "Ernest" is, since they're both engaged to him! Jack has to admit that he made up the whole "Ernest" story and has no brother. Both women are shocked, angry, and feel deceived. They storm off together, arm in arm.
In Act 3, Cecily and Gwendolen are in the living room, still upset. When Jack and Algorithm in, the women confront them. Cecily asks Algernon why he pretended to be her guardian brother, and he says it was to meet her. Gwendolen asks Jack if he made up a brother to visit herin London, and she thinks he says yes. The women are a bit happier but still worried about the name "Ernest". However, when the men say they'll change their names to Ernest, everything is forgiven! The two couples hug. Just then, Lady Bracknell arrives.Lady Bracknell shows up at the Manor House, having followed Gwendolen from London. She wants to know what's going on and is told again that Gwendolen is engaged to Jack. Lady Bracknell says they can't get married. Then, Algernon says he's engaged to Cecily, so Lady Bracknell starts asking Cecily questions about her family and social status in a rude and condescending way. Jack answers her questions politely but sarcastically, hiding the fact that Cecily has a lot of money until the last minute. When Lady Bracknell finds out, she suddenly becomes interested.Jack tells Lady Bracknell that he won't allow Cecily to marry Algernon because he's her guardian. Lady Bracknell suggests they wait until Cecily is older, but Jack says she won't be legally an adult until she's 35. Lady Bracknell asks Jack to change his mind, but he says it's up to her - if she agrees to his marriage to Gwendolen, he'll let Cecily marry Algernon. But Lady Bracknell refuses. Just as she's about to leave, Dr. Chasuble arrives and mentions Miss Prism,Cecily's governess. Lady Bracknell gets upset and asks to see Miss Prism right away.When Miss Prism arrives, Lady Bracknell accuses her of taking a baby from her sister's house 28 years ago and never coming back. Miss Prism confesses she lost the baby, accidentally leaving itin a handbag in a Cloakroom Victoria train station. Jack asks questions and then runs offstage,returning with the handbag. When Miss Prism confirms it's hers, Jack hugs her and calls her"Mother!" But it turns out Jack isn't her illegitimate child; he's actually the legitimate child Of lady Bracknell's sister, making him Algernon's older brother. Jack was originally named "Ernest john," so he's been telling the truth all along! The couples hug, and even Miss Prism and Dr.Chasuble pair up. Jack finally understands the importance of being honest and authentic, and the play ends with a sense of resolution and new beginnings.
Home Assignment:
Themes of the play :
1).The Nature of Marriage:
In the play, marriage is a big deal. It drives the story forward and is often talked about. The characters, like Algernon and Jack, argue about whether marriage proposals are about business or pleasure. Lady Bracknell has her own strict views on what makes a good marriage, focusing on social status, money, and character. The play pokes fun at how seriously people take marriage,showing different opinions on whether it’s enjoyable or not.
2).The Constraints of Morality:
Morality, or what’s considered right and wrong, is a key topic in the play. The characters often discuss moral standards, but the play isn’t about what’s actually moral. Instead, it makes fun of the strict rules of Victorian society. The title itself is a joke about how the main character is both serious and not serious (Ernest/earnest). The play suggests that being too serious about morals can be hypocritical, and that a bit of irreverence, or not taking things too seriously, might be better.
3). Hypocrisy versus Inventiveness:
The characters in the play often deceive others, but not all lies are equal. Jack creates an elaborate lie about his brother’s death, fooling everyone around him. This makes him hypocritical. On the other hand, Algernon and Cecily create playful stories that don’t harm anyone. They’re more like artists creating their own versions of reality. The play seems to favour these creative lies over Jack’s more serious ones.
4).The Importance of Not Being "Earnest":
The play criticizes the idea of being too serious or sincere (earnestness). Wilde saw traits like seriousness, solemnity, and self-righteousness as flaws in Victorian society. In the play,characters often confuse seriousness with triviality and vice versa. Wilde suggests that those whodon’t take life too seriously, and even indulge in a bit of wickedness, might actually be closer to true virtue and sincerity.
For wilde , being earnest could mean begin false or overlay moralists. Characters like Algernon and Jack invite alter egos to escape the strict expectations of society, showing how people idea of what is decent can be misleading. In the end, the play suggest that people who embrace a little wickedness and doesn't take things too seriously might actually have a better chance at being truly more.
Essay Assignment:
Characters of the play:
1). Jack Worthing(also called Ernest):
Jack is the main character of the play. He was found as a baby in a handbag at a railway station and was adopted by a kind man named Mr. Cardew. Now grown up, Jack is a responsible man who lives in the countryside, where people respect him. He is the guardian of a young girl named Cecily. However, Jack leads a double life. In the city, he pretends to be a man named “Ernest” sohe can enjoy himself without responsibilities. He uses this fake identity to escape from his duties in the countryside. Jack wants to marry a girl named Gwendolen, but she says she can only love someone named Ernest. This causes problems for Jack because he is not honest about who he really is. Wilde uses Jack’s character to show how some people in Victorian society pretended tobe moral and responsible, but they often lied to get what they wanted. In the end, Jack finds out that his real name is actually Ernest, which is a funny twist.
2). Algernon Moncrieff:
Algernon is Jack’s friend and Gwendolen’s cousin. He is funny, clever, and doesn’t take life too seriously. Like Jack, Algernon also creates a fake person named “Bunbury” to avoid boring events and do whatever he wants. Unlike Jack, Algernon is proud of his trick and thinks it’sclever. He enjoys playing with words and often says funny things that don’t make sense at first but are very interesting. Algernon meets Cecily and quickly falls in love with her. He also pretends to be Jack’s fake brother “Ernest” to get closer to her. Algernon’s character shows how people sometimes lie just to have fun or avoid problems. He represents the idea that life can be like a performance or a game.
3). Gwendolen Fairfax:
Gwendolen is a smart and stylish young woman who lives in London. She is the daughter of Lady Bracknell and wants to marry Jack but only because she believes his name is Ernest. She is obsessed with that name and says it sounds trustworthy. This shows how people in Victoria society cared more about names and appearances than real feelings. Gwendolen speaks confidently and acts like a proper lady, but she can also be a little bossy and dramatic. She wants to seem smart and modern, but she doesn’t realize that she is being fooled by Jack. Gwendolen isa mix of seriousness and silliness, which makes her character fun to watch.
4). Cecily Cardew:
Cecily is Jack’s ward (someone he takes care of). She lives in the countryside and is younger andmore innocent than Gwendolen. But she also has a big imagination. She dreams of falling in lovewith someone “wicked,” so when Algernon comes pretending to be Ernest, she quickly decidesshe is in love with him. In fact, Cecily had already written letters to herself and imagined she wasengaged to Ernest even before she met him! She is romantic and creative, and she wants her lifeto feel like a storybook. Cecily’s daydreams and fantasies show that she, too, is not alwayshonest with herself. Wilde uses her character to show that even innocent people can pretend an imagine things to make life more exciting.
5). Lady Bracknell:
Lady Bracknell is Gwendolen’s mother and one of the most powerful and funny characters in the play. She only cares about money, family status, and social rules. She doesn’t let Gwendolen marry Jack because he doesn’t know who his real parents are. She says that being found in a handbag is unacceptable! Lady Bracknell’s opinions are strict and often silly, but she says them in a very serious way. Wilde uses her to make fun of the upper class in Victorian society. She only changes her mind about Jack when she finds out he comes from a rich family. Her character shows how people care more about appearances and reputation than love or kindness.
6). Miss Prism:
Miss Prism is Cecily’s governess (a kind of teacher or caretaker). She believes strongly in rules and good behavior. She wants Cecily to behave properly and doesn’t like the idea of people Like ernest, who seem wild and irresponsible. But Miss Prism is not as perfect as she seems. She secretly likes Dr. Chasuble, the village priest, and often finds excuses to be alone with him. Atthe end of the play, we find out that Miss Prism was the one who accidentally left baby Jack in a handbag at the station many years ago. This shows that even people who act very morally and strictly can make big mistakes. Wilde uses Miss Prism to show that everyone has faults, even if they pretend to be perfect.
Conclusion:
Oscar wilde the important of being Earnest ends on a humorous yet meaningful note , where mistaken identity are finally resolved. Jack discover that he is truly "Ernest" by name and birth, and also Algernon older brother. This revelation brings comic relief while trying together the theme of identity and truth . The conclusion highlights wilde's satire of Victorian society its obsession with appearance, social, status, and marriage. By mixing wit with irony wilde shows that seriousness and triviality are often reversed what seems important is actually ridiculous while what seems trivial is what truly matter.