Oscar Wilde
English
The play opens in Algernon Moncrieff's flat in London, where his manservant Lane is preparing for guests. Algernon is expecting his friend Ernest Worthing and his aunt, Lady Bracknell, along with her daughter Gwendolen Fairfax. Algernon has been eating the cucumber sandwiches intended for Lady Bracknell, and he has discovered that Ernest's cigarette case, which he claims is his, is inscribed 'From little Cecily, with her fondest love to her dear Uncle Jack.' This revelation leads to a confrontation where Jack (whose real name is John) confesses that he uses the identity 'Ernest' when in town to visit Gwendolen, whom he wishes to marry. In the country, however, he is known as Jack and is the guardian of a young lady named Cecily Cardew. Algernon reveals that he, too, has a double life; he invents an invalid friend named Bunbury, whom he visits in the country whenever he wishes to avoid social obligations in the city. Jack proposes to Gwendolen, who accepts him, but only because his name is Ernest, as she has always dreamed of marrying someone with that name. Lady Bracknell arrives and, upon learning that Jack was found as a baby in a handbag at Victoria Station and has no parents, forbids the engagement. Meanwhile, Algernon, having learned Jack's country address, travels to the Manor House in Hertfordshire to meet Cecily. He pretends to be Ernest Worthing, Jack's wicked brother, and charms Cecily, who is fascinated by the idea of a wicked relative. Cecily reveals that she has already fallen in love with 'Ernest' and that they have been engaged for three months, having even exchanged rings and letters (which she wrote herself, role-playing as Ernest). When Gwendolen unexpectedly arrives, a confrontation ensues as both women discover they are engaged to 'Ernest.' Jack arrives at the Manor House, dressed in mourning, announcing that his brother Ernest has died in Paris. This news is soon revealed to be false when Algernon appears, still posing as Ernest. The two women, initially furious, are then confused when they learn Jack's real name is John and Algernon's is not Ernest. Their confusion deepens when Miss Prism, Cecily's governess, arrives. Lady Bracknell recognizes Miss Prism as the governess who, twenty-eight years prior, lost Jack (then a baby) by accidentally leaving him in a handbag at Victoria Station. It is revealed that Jack is, in fact, Ernest John, the son of Lady Bracknell's deceased sister and thus Algernon's elder brother. This means his name truly is Ernest. Jack is overjoyed, Gwendolen is ecstatic, and Algernon is relieved. Miss Prism and Dr. Chasuble, the local rector, also find their own happiness, revealing a past connection. The play concludes with all the couples united, and Jack embracing his true identity, realizing the importance of being earnest.
