Summary

The play The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde begins with Algernon Moncrieff receiving the visit of his friend, Jack Worthing, known to Algernon as Ernest. 

Jack tells Algernon that he wants to propose to Gwendolen, Algernon’s cousin, who will visit for tea together with her mother, Lady Bracknell.

Algernon confronts Jack about his cigarette case, which is addressed to Uncle Jack with love from Cecily. Jack tells him that Cecily is his ward, who lives on his country estate and who knows him by the name of Jack. He explains that he made up a fictional brother named Ernest, so he could justify his frequent absences to town.

Algernon tells Jack that he made up a similar story, about an ill friend in the country named Mr. Bunbury. He uses him to excuse himself from social functions that he does not want to attend. When Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen arrive, Algernon tells Lady Bracknell he cannot have dinner at her house because he has to visit Mr. Bunbury who has taken ill again. 

Jack proposes to Gwendolen and she accepts. However, she reveals to him that she loves him mainly because his name is Ernest. Jack resolves to be christened Ernest. However, Lady Bracknell opposes the marriage after learning that Jack was found in a handbag at Victoria Station when he was a baby.

Gwendolen asks Jack for his address in the country, so t...