Summary No time has elapsed, but in Act III Gwendolen and Cecily are in the morning room of the Manor House, looking out the window at Jack and Algernon and hoping they will come in. If they do, the ladies intend to be cold and heartless. The men do come […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IIISummary and Analysis Act II: Part 2
Summary While Algernon rushes out to make christening arrangements, Cecily writes Ernest’s proposal in her diary. She is interrupted by Merriman announcing The Honorable Gwendolen Fairfax to see Jack; unfortunately, Jack is at the rectory. Cecily asks her in, and they introduce themselves. Gwendolen did not know Jack had a […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Part 2Summary and Analysis Act II: Part 1
Summary Act II is set at Jack Worthing’s country estate where Miss Prism is seated in the garden giving her student, Cecily Cardew, a lesson in German grammar. When Cecily expresses an interest in meeting Jack’s wicked brother, Ernest, Miss Prism repeats Jack’s opinion that his brother has a weak […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Part 1Summary and Analysis Act I: Part 2
Summary Lady Bracknell and her daughter, Gwendolen, arrive. She is expecting her nephew, Algernon, at a dinner party that evening, but Algy explains that he must go see his invalid friend, Bunbury, in the country. However, he promises to make arrangements for the music at her reception on Saturday. They […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act I: Part 2Summary and Analysis Act I: Part 1
Summary The curtain opens on the flat of wealthy Algernon Moncrieff in London’s fashionable West End. While Algernon (Algy, for short) plays the piano, his servant (Lane) is arranging cucumber sandwiches for the impending arrival of Algernon’s aunt (Lady Bracknell) and her daughter (Gwendolen). Mr. Jack Worthing (a friend of […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act I: Part 1Character List
John (Jack) Worthing A young, eligible bachelor about town. In the city he goes by the name Ernest, and in the country he is Jack — a local magistrate of the county with responsibilities. His family pedigree is a mystery, but his seriousness and sincerity are evident. He proposes to […]
Read more Character ListAbout The Importance of Being Earnest
The Importance of Being Earnest opened in the West End of London in February 1894 during an era when many of the religious, social, political, and economic structures were experiencing change — The Victorian Age (the last 25-30 years of the 1800s). The British Empire was at its height and […]
Read more About The Importance of Being EarnestPlay Summary
The play begins in the flat of wealthy Algernon Moncrieff (Algy) in London’s fashionable West End. Algernon’s aunt (Lady Bracknell) and her daughter (Gwendolen Fairfax) are coming for a visit, but Mr. Jack Worthing (a friend of Algy’s) arrives first. Algernon finds it curious that Jack has announced himself as […]
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