The Importance of Being Earnest Summary
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Here you will find a The Importance of Being Earnest summary (Oscar Wilde's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.
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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024
Chapters The Importance of Being Earnest Summary Overview
Jack Worthing, a respected landowner and justice of the peace in Hertfordshire, is the guardian of Cecily Cardew, an appealing young woman. Jack invented a troublesome alter ego named Ernest that he would frequently have to rush off to aid as a way to escape his responsibilities and enjoy himself. Unknown to others, Ernest is merely a deception; Jack is Ernest himself. He is enamored with Gwendolen Fairfax, his best friend Algernon Moncrieff's cousin. Algernon, suspecting Jack of living a double life, confronts him when he discovers a mysterious inscription in Jack's cigarette case. Reluctantly, Jack discloses his real name, not Ernest, and that Cecily is his ward. Algernon, intrigued by Jack's description of Cecily, impersonates the fictional Ernest and proposes to Cecily, unknowing that she's already invented a romance between herself and "Ernest". Amid the confusion, Gwendolen comes to visit Jack, who she believes to be Ernest, and meets Cecily. A heated argument ensues when both women discover they are engaged to the same man, Ernest, who doesn't exist. Jack and Algernon arrive, both having decided separately to be christened as Ernest, only to have their deception unravelled by Gwendolen and Cecily, who are both furious and shocked. In the final act, the two women confront Jack and Algernon about their deception. Both men justify their actions, soothing the women's concerns. Lady Bracknell, Gwendolen's mother, arrives unexpectedly. She finds out about Algernon's engagement to Cecily and starts inquiring about her social connections, which irritates Jack. However, learning about Cecily's considerable inheritance and fortune, Lady Bracknell shows interest. The story reaches an unforeseen climax when it is revealed that Jack is indeed the legitimate son of Lady Bracknell's sister, making him Algernon's elder brother. Furthermore, Jack's original christening name is revealed to be "Ernest John", making his deception unintentionally truthful. The narrative concludes with the reinstatement of the couples and Jack's understanding of the vital necessity of being earnest.
act 1 part 1
The scene begins in Algernon Moncrieff's flat in a posh area of London, where his butler, Lane, is setting up for a tea party. Algernon, after playing the piano offstage, enters and discusses the preparation for the tea with Lane. He pays particular attention to the cucumber sandwiches meant for his aunt, Lady Bracknell. He begins eating them while pondering over an incorrect entry in the household books and questioning why servants always consume all the champagne in bachelor homes. They briefly converse about marriage, after which Algernon dismisses Lane. Lane returns to announce the arrival of Mr. Ernest Worthing, or Jack, who is promptly welcomed by Algernon. Jack reveals that he came to propose to Algernon's cousin, Gwendolen. Their conversation about whether this is business or pleasure leads to an argument over the cucumber sandwiches. Algernon insists they're reserved for his aunt and suggests Jack eat the bread and butter meant for Gwendolen. When Jack does so enthusiastically, Algernon jests about him acting like a married man. He then expresses doubt about Jack's chances with Gwendolen and mentions a certain Cecily, whom Jack denies knowing. Algernon instructs Lane to fetch a cigarette case Jack had previously left behind. The cigarette case is a source of distress for Jack and amusement for Algernon, as it has an inscription from a "little Cecily" to her "Uncle Jack." Jack confesses that his real name isn't Ernest—it's Jack, but he goes by Ernest in the city. This leads Algernon to label Jack as a "Bunburyist", asking for the improbable story behind his dual identity. Jack shares that his adoptive father's will made him guardian to Cecily Cardew, whom he calls his niece out of respect. He explains his alias, Ernest, as a way to escape his moral responsibilities without sacrificing his reputation. Algernon reveals his own secret: he invented a chronically sick friend, Bunbury, as an excuse to escape to the countryside. Algernon insists on teaching Jack the art of "Bunburying", but Jack protests. He states that if Gwendolen agrees to marry him, he plans on ending his Ernest charade as Cecily is becoming too intrigued by his imaginary brother. Jack suggests that Algernon do the same with Bunbury. Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen.
act 1 part 2
Lady Bracknell enters the scene discussing a friend whose spouse recently passed away. She settles down, looking forward to the cucumber sandwiches Algernon promised her. Upon discovering all the sandwiches are gone, Algernon is shocked and questions Lane. The quick-thinking Lane tells Algernon that he couldn't find any cucumbers in the market that day. Lady Bracknell dismisses the issue and talks about a woman she wants Algernon to take to dinner. However, Algernon informs her that he can't attend the dinner due to his friend Bunbury's illness. Lady Bracknell is annoyed by Bunbury's wavering health status. To placate her and give Jack a chance to propose to Gwendolen, Algernon suggests they review the music program for an upcoming event, leading her out of the room. When alone with Gwendolen, Jack shares his affections, and Gwendolen reciprocates. However, Jack is taken aback that Gwendolen is partly attracted to him because she thinks his name is Ernest. For Gwendolen, the name Ernest holds great appeal and she wouldn't marry a man without that name. When Lady Bracknell comes back into the room, Gwendolen announces her engagement to Jack. Lady Bracknell quizzes Jack about his family history. Upon learning that Jack was found as a baby in a handbag at a train station and has no known parents, Lady Bracknell rejects him as a prospective son-in-law and storms out. Algernon joins Jack and learns about the outcome of the interview with Lady Bracknell. Jack assures him that he and Gwendolen are still engaged. Algernon teases Jack about his dual identities, "Ernest in town, and Jack in the country," and Jack dismisses the notion. Jack plans to end his alter-ego Ernest by having him succumb to a severe chill in Paris. Algernon also queries Jack about his ward, Cecily, and Jack dismisses this question too, confident that Cecily and Gwendolen will become friends and "sisters." Gwendolen returns and requests a private conversation with Jack. She discloses her deep love for him, undeterred by his peculiar background. She asks for his country address, which Algernon eavesdrops on and jots down. As Jack escorts Gwendolen to her carriage, Algernon instructs Lane about his plan for "Bunburying" the next day and asks for his "Bunbury suits." The scene ends with Jack raving about Gwendolen, while Algernon laughs quietly, glancing at his shirt cuff.
act 2 part 1
At Jack's countryside manor in Hertfordshire, Miss Prism attempts to engage Cecily in a German lesson. Cecily, however, is more inclined to tend to the flowers. Miss Prism reminds her that Jack, Cecily's uncle, wishes for her intellectual growth. A bit frustrated by her uncle's seriousness and his obsession about his problematic brother Ernest, Cecily expresses her wish to meet Ernest. She believes she and Miss Prism could potentially reform him. Yet, Miss Prism discourages this idea of converting "bad people into good people". She advises Cecily to trust her memory rather than writing in her diary, though Cecily jokingly attributes memory inaccuracies to lengthy novels. The conversation is interrupted as Miss Prism admits to having written a similar novel herself. Dr. Chasuble, the local clergyman, arrives, and Cecily playfully suggests that Miss Prism, feigning a headache, should accompany him for a walk, hinting at a mutual attraction. Despite protesting against the lie, Miss Prism agrees to the walk and leaves with Dr. Chasuble. Shortly afterward, the butler, Merriman, informs Cecily that Ernest Worthing, Jack's brother, has arrived from the station. This 'Ernest' is actually Algernon, who took Jack's card in the previous act, and is pretending to be Ernest. Algernon, disguised as Ernest, meets Cecily, addressing her as his “little cousin”. Upon hearing of Jack's absence, Algernon feigns disappointment. Cecily mentions Jack's plan to buy Ernest some travelling clothes, intending to send him to Australia. Algernon suggests that Cecily should reform him, but she declines. Algernon, however, decides to reform himself and the two end up flirting before heading inside for food. Miss Prism and Dr. Chasuble return from their walk, also displaying mild flirtations, and are surprised by Jack's early return in full mourning attire. He announces Ernest's death, causing shock and sympathy. Jack sticks to the story he and Algernon concocted earlier about Ernest dying from a “severe chill” in Paris. Dr. Chasuble offers to mention the sad news during his Sunday sermon and Jack enquires about being rechristened as Ernest. They arrange a ceremony for later that day. As Dr. Chasuble leaves, Cecily surprises them with the news that “Uncle Jack’s brother” is alive and waiting in the dining room.
act 2 part 2
Algernon steps into the scene, infuriating Jack. Not only has Algernon shown up unexpectedly, but he's also impersonating Jack’s imaginary and supposedly deceased brother. Cecily views Jack's anger as a brothers' feud and insists on peace. Jack is enraged at Algernon's tales to Cecily about Bunbury but must play along to protect his own secrets. Jack tries to send Algernon away, but he refuses and proclaims his love for Cecily when Jack leaves to change out of his mourning attire. Surprisingly, Algernon finds out Cecily already thinks they're engaged due to her fantasy about "Uncle Jack’s brother." This fantasy romance includes self-written love letters, an engagement ring, a split, and a reconciliation, all documented in her diary. Algernon is taken aback when Cecily admits she's drawn to him because of his name, Ernest, as it “inspires absolute confidence,” echoing Gwendolen's sentiment. Algernon departs to arrange his christening as Ernest. Meanwhile, Gwendolen arrives unannounced at the Manor House. Cecily, oblivious to who Gwendolen is and her relation to Jack, tries to be a good hostess. Gwendolen, not knowing Cecily's identity, is shocked to learn she is Jack's ward. The tension escalates when Cecily reveals her engagement to Ernest Worthing, who Gwendolen also believes she's engaged to, leading to a polite yet tense exchange. The tension peaks as Jack and Algernon return, both planning to get christened as Ernest. Cecily and Gwendolen reveal the others' fiancé's true identity, resulting in anger and shock. The women demand the whereabouts of Ernest, to whom they believe they are both engaged. Jack confesses that Ernest doesn’t exist, leading to more fury. The women retreat into the house, now referring to each other as "sister." Left alone, Jack and Algernon bicker over their discovered lies and over some muffins and teacake.
act 3 part 1
Exhausted by the deception, Cecily and Gwendolen escape to the Manor House drawing room, hoping to forgive the men. Upon the men's entry, the ladies question their motives. Algernon admits that his impersonation as Jack’s brother was to meet Cecily. Similarly, Jack defends his own lies as a means to see Gwendolen more often in London. Despite their readiness to forgive, Cecily and Gwendolen remember that neither is engaged to an Ernest, their preferred name. To mitigate this, Algernon and Jack reveal their plans to legally change their names to Ernest. The ladies are impressed by their dedication, sweeping aside their earlier reservations. Their reconciliations are interrupted by Lady Bracknell's entrance. She has tracked them down through Gwendolen’s maid. Upon seeing Algernon, she enquires about Bunbury, his sick friend. Caught off guard, Algernon makes a hasty declaration of Bunbury’s death. Jack presents Cecily to Lady Bracknell and Algernon announces their engagement. Lady Bracknell, eager to learn about Cecily's connections, comes across as condescending. Unfazed, Jack provides details about Cecily, using sarcasm that goes unnoticed by Lady Bracknell. She becomes more interested upon learning of Cecily's substantial wealth. Jack holds his ground, refusing to approve Cecily’s marriage unless Lady Bracknell approves his engagement to Gwendolen. Lady Bracknell rejects his proposal and plans to leave with Gwendolen. Before they exit, Dr. Chasuble arrives to proceed with the christenings. However, Jack and Algernon request a postponement. Upon hearing that Dr. Chasuble is to meet Miss Prism, Lady Bracknell reacts sharply and demands to see her. Coincidentally, Miss Prism appears at that very moment.
act 3 part 2
Miss Prism becomes anxious upon seeing Lady Bracknell, who questions her about a baby she was supposed to watch 28 years ago. The baby, a boy, had mysteriously disappeared after Miss Prism left a house with him in a pram and didn't return. The pram was later found with a sentimental novel inside it, but the baby was never found. Miss Prism admits that she may have mistakenly switched the baby and her novel manuscript between the pram and her handbag. Jack then demands more details from Miss Prism, including the location of the handbag. He quickly exits and returns with a handbag, asking Miss Prism to identify it. Miss Prism confirms it's her lost handbag, pleased to see it after all these years. Jack, believing he's found his biological mother, hugs Miss Prism exclaiming “Mother!” Miss Prism, shocked, informs Jack she's never been married. Jack, missing her point, starts a monologue about forgiveness and societal double standards. Miss Prism then directs Jack to Lady Bracknell for answers. Lady Bracknell reveals that Jack is the son of her late sister, making him Algernon's elder brother. This revelation clears the path for Jack and Gwendolen's relationship. However, his real name is still unknown. While Lady Bracknell suggests he was named after his father, nobody recalls General Moncrieff's first name. Jack later finds out from military records that his father's names were “Ernest John.” Jack has unknowingly been truthful all along: his name is Ernest, it is also John, and he does have a younger brother—Algernon. Surprised, Jack asks Gwendolen for forgiveness for always telling the truth. She agrees, believing he will change. All couples embrace and Jack states he's learnt “the vital Importance of Being Earnest.”
