Cecily

Jack and Algernon each arrange a christening with Dr. Chasuble so that they can change their names to “Ernest.” The eager willingness of these characters to change their names symbolize the fluid nature of identity in the play. Get the entire The Importance of Being Earnest LitChart as a printable PDF.

This is where Jack chimes in that he will consent to his ward’s marriage to Lady Bracknell’s nephew if Lady Bracknell would consent to his marriage with Gwendolen. This is the only condition by which Jack will consent to his ward’s marriage.

” It is revealed later that Jack was as adopted after being found in a bag after Lady Bracknell interviews him for wanting to marry Gwendolen. Algernon shows up at Jack’s country estate posing as Jack’s brother Ernest. Jack arrives home in deep mourning, full of a story about Ernest having died suddenly in Paris.

Who is the next guest at Jack’s country home? Why is this significant? Lady Bracknall, because everyones together and here comes the “antagonist”. In this act, Gwendolen and Cecily share a tense team and Jack and Algernon argue about their transgressions while eating muffins.

It is revealed that, since he was the baby who Miss Prism lost, Jack is the son of Lady Bracknell’s sister and Algernon’s older brother. Lady Bracknell is now happy to agree to the marriage of Gwendolen and Jack, although Gwendolen insists that she still could not marry someone who is not called Ernest.

As a baby, he was found in a handbag in the cloakroom at Victoria Station (the facility for the Brighton Line). The wretched Miss Prism is forced to confess that she had confused the baby in her charge with a manuscript, a work of fiction that she had composed during her (few, she mentions) unoccupied hours.

How is it that Miss Prism managed to lose the baby? She accidentally placed the baby in a hand-bag while placing her manuscript in the carriage. What happens when Lady Bracknell learns that there is a Miss Prism at Jack’s home? She demands to see the woman.

Jack is angry at Algernon for what his Bunburying has gotten them into, and for deceiving Cecily. Algernon thinks that Jack has deceived Gwendolen. They both simply want to marry the women that they love, although the possibility of that is beginning to seem unlikely.

What is Lady Bracknell’s reaction when Jack admits to her that he smokes? She is glad and thinks all men should.