The Importance Of Being Earnest Plot
Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest is a comedic masterpiece, celebrated for its wit, satire, and delightful absurdity. Understanding the plot is key to appreciating its brilliance. This article provides a clear and concise overview, perfect for newcomers to the play or those seeking a refresher.
The Double Lives of Jack and Algernon
The play revolves around two young gentlemen, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, each leading double lives to escape social obligations and pursue romantic interests. Jack, who lives in the countryside as guardian to the young Cecily Cardew, has invented a fictitious younger brother named "Ernest" who lives in London. He uses "Ernest" as an excuse to escape to the city and enjoy a more carefree existence. He is known as Jack in the countryside but presents himself as "Ernest" to Gwendolen Fairfax, a sophisticated city dweller with whom he is deeply in love.
Algernon, Jack's friend and a confirmed bachelor residing in London, has created a fictitious invalid friend named "Bunbury" in the countryside. This "Bunbury" allows him to avoid tedious social engagements in town and escape to the country whenever he desires a break.
The Pursuit of "Ernest"
Both Jack and Algernon are captivated by women who are obsessed with the name "Ernest." Gwendolen Fairfax, Algernon's cousin and the object of Jack's affection, declares that she could only ever love someone named Ernest. This infatuation with the name is a central element of the play's satire, highlighting the superficiality of Victorian society and its emphasis on appearances over substance. Gwendolen proclaims,
"My ideal has always been to love someone of the name of Ernest. There is something in that name that inspires absolute confidence."
Similarly, Cecily Cardew, Jack's ward, has also developed a romantic fantasy about Jack's fictional brother "Ernest." She has imagined him to be a wicked and rebellious character, and she finds this image irresistible. Cecily writes in her diary about her imagined engagement to Ernest, even before she has met him.
Complications and Deceptions
The plot thickens when Algernon, intrigued by Jack's description of Cecily, decides to visit her in the countryside, posing as "Ernest Worthing," Jack's fictional brother. This deception leads to a series of comical misunderstandings and romantic entanglements. Both Gwendolen and Cecily are now simultaneously engaged to "Ernest," although they are, in fact, engaged to Jack and Algernon, respectively.
When Gwendolen arrives at Jack's country estate, she is shocked to discover Cecily. The two women, each believing herself to be engaged to "Ernest Worthing," are initially polite but quickly become rivals, engaging in a passive-aggressive battle of social etiquette. The scene is filled with sharp wit and subtle insults as they attempt to establish their superiority.
The Revelation
The charade begins to unravel when Jack and Algernon arrive. Gwendolen and Cecily demand explanations about the two "Ernest Worthing" figures. The truth is eventually revealed, leading to outrage and disappointment from both women. They feel betrayed and deceived by the men they believed to be "Ernest." Both Jack and Algernon are forced to confess their fabricated identities.
The situation is further complicated by the unexpected arrival of Lady Bracknell, Gwendolen's formidable mother. Lady Bracknell represents the rigid social conventions of Victorian society and is deeply concerned with social status and proper lineage. She vehemently disapproves of Jack's engagement to Gwendolen, primarily because he was found as a baby in a handbag at Victoria Station. His unknown parentage makes him unsuitable in her eyes.
The Resolution and the Truth About "Ernest"
The climax of the play arrives with the revelation of Jack's true identity. Miss Prism, Cecily's governess, recognizes Lady Bracknell. It is revealed that Miss Prism, years ago, had been a governess in Lady Bracknell’s sister’s household and had misplaced a baby. Through a series of coincidences and revelations, it is discovered that Jack is, in fact, Algernon's elder brother and Lady Bracknell’s nephew. Furthermore, his Christian name is not Jack, but Ernest – the very name that Gwendolen and Cecily adore.
This revelation satisfies Lady Bracknell’s requirements for Jack’s social standing, and she finally approves of his marriage to Gwendolen. Algernon, in turn, is granted Lady Bracknell's permission to marry Cecily.
The Significance of the Title
The play's title, The Importance of Being Earnest, is a clever play on words. It refers both to the literal importance that Gwendolen and Cecily place on the name "Ernest" and to the broader theme of earnestness itself. While the characters claim to value honesty and sincerity, their actions are often driven by deception and self-interest. The play satirizes the Victorian obsession with appearances and social conventions, suggesting that true earnestness is often sacrificed in the pursuit of social acceptance.
The name "Ernest" also carries a double meaning. While it sounds like "earnest," the characters are anything but. They manipulate and deceive to get what they want, highlighting the hypocrisy prevalent in the upper classes of Victorian society.
Key Themes and Satire
The Importance of Being Earnest is rich in themes and satirical elements. Some of the most prominent include:
- Social Hypocrisy: The play exposes the hypocrisy and superficiality of Victorian society, where appearances and social status are valued above genuine character.
- Love and Marriage: Wilde satirizes the Victorian ideal of marriage as a social and economic arrangement rather than a union based on love and affection. The characters' obsession with the name "Ernest" highlights the absurdity of basing romantic decisions on superficial criteria.
- Identity and Deception: The characters' use of double lives and fabricated identities underscores the theme of deception and the artificiality of social roles.
- The Importance of Triviality: The play revels in trivial conversations and absurd situations, suggesting that life is ultimately meaningless and that it is better to embrace the frivolous than to take things too seriously. Lady Bracknell's pronouncements, though delivered with utmost seriousness, are often absurd and demonstrate this theme perfectly.
The play's humor arises from the contrast between the characters' serious pronouncements and the ridiculous situations they find themselves in. Wilde's witty dialogue and clever plot twists make The Importance of Being Earnest a timeless and entertaining satire of Victorian society.
Why it Remains Relevant
Despite being set in the late 19th century, The Importance of Being Earnest continues to resonate with audiences today. Its themes of social hypocrisy, the absurdity of social conventions, and the importance of appearances remain relevant in contemporary society. The play's witty dialogue and farcical situations make it a consistently entertaining and thought-provoking theatrical experience. The enduring appeal of the play lies in its ability to make us laugh at ourselves and to question the values and priorities of our own society.
By understanding the intricacies of the plot, newcomers can fully appreciate the brilliance of Wilde's satire and the timeless humor of The Importance of Being Earnest. The play is a testament to Wilde's genius and a lasting contribution to the world of literature.
