The Importance of Being Earnest: Act I

1. Much of the humor in this play arises from the incongruity within conversations, and even within sentences. At the beginning of the act, what statement of Algernon's appears incongruous? Why?

"And, speaking of the science of Life, have you got the cucumber sandwiches cut for Lady Bracknell?" The comment joins the lofty "science of Life" to the most trivial, "cucumber sandwiches." (Act I)

. What is ironic about Algernon's response to Jack regarding neighbors when he says, "How immensely you must amuse them"? (Act I)

Algernon. And who are the people you amuse? Jack. [Airily.] Oh, neighbours, neighbours. Algernon. Got nice neighbours in your part of Shropshire? Jack. Perfectly horrid! Never speak to one of them. Algernon. How immensely you must amuse them! Jack speaks of amusing his neighbors; then he tells us that they are perfectly horrid, and he has never spoken to one of them.

9. Who is Cecily, and how did Algernon first become aware of her existence?

Algernon. Yes; but this isn't your cigarette case. This cigarette case is a present from some one of the name of Cecily, and you said you didn't know any one of that name. Jack. Well, if you want to know, Cecily happens to be my aunt. Algernon. Your aunt!

21. In Wilde's view, style is paramount. How does Algernon's response to Jack regarding cleverness emphasize that?

Asked if his remark about mothers and daughters is clever, Algernon responds, "It is perfectly phrased! and quite as true as any observation in civilised life should be." (Act I) In addition, Jack's responses, which begin "I am sick..." and "My dear fellow..." reflect Wilde's views on style. (Act I)

22. Why has Jack kept his life in the country a closely guarded secret from Algernon?

For one thing, he does not want Algernon to meet his sweet, innocent ward, Cecily. Perhaps he does not trust Algernon: Algernon. I would rather like to see Cecily. Jack. I will take very good care you never do. She is excessively pretty, and she is only just eighteen.

13. Why does Algernon call Jack a Bunburyist?

Jack has two identities. In the country, he is known as Jack; in the city, he goes by the name of Ernest.

23. How does Algernon find out the address of Jack's country house?

He hears Jack give the address to Gwendolen.

4. In the opening exchange between Lane and Algernon, what satiric shot does Wilde aim at the honesty of servants? Is this characterization supported or refuted by the behavior of Lane?

Algernon says that it is a practice of servants to inflate champagne consumption rates at parties so that they may drink it themselves. This character is refuted because Lane consistently covers for Algernon's behavior, as in the absence of cucumber sandwiches.

3. One of the concerns of the age is mentioned a number of times in this play. It may be viewed as art (emotion or sentiment) versus science (reason or precision). How does Algernon bring it in as a comment on his piano playing? How else do you see the art versus science analysis used?

Algernon. I'm sorry for that, for your sake. I don't play accurately - any one can play accurately - but I play with wonderful expression. As far as the piano is concerned, sentiment is my forte. I keep science for Life. ----- Algernon. Good heavens! Is marriage so demoralising as that? Lane. I believe it IS a very pleasant state, sir. I have had very little experience of it myself up to the present. I have only been married once. That was in consequence of a misunderstanding between myself and a young person. Algernon. [Languidly.] I don't know that I am much interested in your family life, Lane. Lane. No, sir; it is not a very interesting subject. I never think of it myself. (He says he does not play accurately (scientifically), but he plays with great sentiment. Romance and marriage are also analyzed according to art and science.)

12. What, precisely, is a Bunburyist? How are Algernon and Jack both Bunburyists?

Algernon. Literary criticism is not your forte, my dear fellow. Don't try it. You should leave that to people who haven't been at a University. They do it so well in the daily papers. What you really are is a Bunburyist. I was quite right in saying you were a Bunburyist. You are one of the most advanced Bunburyists I know. Jack. What on earth do you mean? Algernon. You have invented a very useful younger brother called Ernest, in order that you may be able to come up to town as often as you like. I have invented an invaluable permanent invalid called Bunbury, in order that I may be able to go down into the country whenever I choose. Bunbury is perfectly invaluable. If it wasn't for Bunbury's extraordinary bad health, for instance, I wouldn't be able to dine with you at Willis's to-night, for I have been really engaged to Aunt Augusta for more than a week.

10. What does Jack have written on his calling card?

Algernon. Yes. But why does your aunt call you her uncle? 'From little Cecily, with her fondest love to her dear Uncle Jack.' There is no objection, I admit, to an aunt being a small aunt, but why an aunt, no matter what her size may be, should call her own nephew her uncle, I can't quite make out. Besides, your name isn't Jack at all; it is Ernest. Jack. It isn't Ernest; it's Jack. Algernon. You have always told me it was Ernest. I have introduced you to every one as Ernest. You answer to the name of Ernest. You look as if your name was Ernest. You are the most earnest-looking person I ever saw in my life. It is perfectly absurd your saying that your name isn't Ernest. It's on your cards. Here is one of them. [Taking it from case.] 'Mr. Ernest Worthing, B. 4, The Albany.' I'll keep this as a proof that your name is Ernest if ever you attempt to deny it to me, or to Gwendolen, or to any one else. [Puts the card in his pocket.] Jack. Well, my name is Ernest in town and Jack in the country, and the cigarette case was given to me in the country.

5. How does Algernon describe Lane's view on marriage? In that speech, how does Algernon turn conventional wisdom around?

He describes Lane's views on marriage as lax, and Algernon appears upset because the lower class is not providing a good example. Conventional wisdom has it that the upper class, particularly the royal family, ought to provide a good example of family life.

17. Earlier, we learned that Jack was in love with Gwendolen, and we now learn that Gwendolen is also in love with Jack. What first caused Gwendolen to love Jack?

His name Ernest caused her to love him. Gwendolen says, "There is something in that name that inspires absolute confidence."(Act I)

6. When Jack first appears, he delivers one of Wilde's many epigrams. How is it true?

Jack says, "When one is in town one amuses oneself. When one is in the country one amuses other people." (Act I) Answers may vary. Example: Jack comes to town to avoid his responsibilities; at home, he must be a dutiful guardian to his ward,

8. What is Algernon's view regarding romance and marriage? Do you agree?

Jack. I am in love with Gwendolen. I have come up to town expressly to propose to her. Algernon. I thought you had come up for pleasure?... I call that business. Jack. How utterly unromantic you are! Algernon. I really don't see anything romantic in proposing. It is very romantic to be in love. But there is nothing romantic about a definite proposal. Why, one may be accepted. One usually is, I believe. Then the excitement is all over. The very essence of romance is uncertainty. If ever I get married, I'll certainly try to forget the fact.

20. Although the conversation seems normal, what is the absurdity of the characters' concerns about the conditions surrounding Jack's discovery as a foundling?

Jack. May I ask you then what you would advise me to do? I need hardly say I would do anything in the world to ensure Gwendolen's happiness. Lady Bracknell. I would strongly advise you, Mr. Worthing, to try and acquire some relations as soon as possible, and to make a definite effort to produce at any rate one parent, of either sex, before the season is quite over. Jack. Well, I don't see how I could possibly manage to do that. I can produce the hand-bag at any moment. It is in my dressing-room at home. I really think that should satisfy you, Lady Bracknell. Lady Bracknell. Me, sir! What has it to do with me? You can hardly imagine that I and Lord Bracknell would dream of allowing our only daughter - a girl brought up with the utmost care - to marry into a cloak-room, and form an alliance with a parcel? Good morning, Mr. Worthing!

15. How are Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen related to Algernon?

Lady Bracknell is Algernon's aunt, and Gwendolen is her daughter.

18. In Lady Bracknell's interview of Jack, she takes a satiric shot at education in England. What does she say of it?

Lady Bracknell. A very good age to be married at. I have always been of opinion that a man who desires to get married should know either everything or nothing. Which do you know? Jack. [After some hesitation.] I know nothing, Lady Bracknell. Lady Bracknell. I am pleased to hear it. I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone. The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever. If it did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Square.

19. Why does Lady Bracknell conclude that Jack is not a suitable husband for Gwendolen? Why does this matter so much to her?

Lady Bracknell. The line is immaterial. Mr. Worthing, I confess I feel somewhat bewildered by what you have just told me. To be born, or at any rate bred, in a hand-bag, whether it had handles or not, seems to me to display a contempt for the ordinary decencies of family life that reminds one of the worst excesses of the French Revolution. And I presume you know what that unfortunate movement led to? As for the particular locality in which the hand-bag was found, a cloak-room at a railway station might serve to conceal a social indiscretion - has probably, indeed, been used for that purpose before now-but it could hardly be regarded as an assured basis for a recognised position in good society.

Another cause of much of the humor is inverted expectation. That is, the reader is set up to hear a conventional piece of wisdom, but the character delivers a line that is quite the opposite of what is expected. Why are the first two lines in the play examples of that?

Morning-room in Algernon's flat in Half-Moon Street. The room is luxuriously and artistically furnished. The sound of a piano is heard in the adjoining room. [Lane is arranging afternoon tea on the table, and after the music has ceased, Algernon enters.] Algernon. Did you hear what I was playing, Lane? Lane. I didn't think it polite to listen, sir. (Conventional wisdom has it that it is impolite not to listen.)

14. Algernon aims a number of satiric barbs at marriage and "the happy English home." (Act I) Do you suppose Wilde means any of the cynical comments, or is he simply being funny?

This is your opinion, but think about satire: funny, yes, but probably also contains at least a bit of truth: Algernon. Then your wife will. You don't seem to realise, that in married life three is company and two is none. Jack. [Sententiously.] That, my dear young friend, is the theory that the corrupt French Drama has been propounding for the last fifty years. Algernon. Yes; and that the happy English home has proved in half the time. Jack. For heaven's sake, don't try to be cynical. It's perfectly easy to be cynical.

16. We are told that the death of Lady Harbury's husband has altered her. In what way has our expectation been inverted?

We expect that grief has caused her to look terrible; however, we learn that "her hair has turned quite gold from grief." She looks twenty years younger and "seems...to be living entirely for pleasure now." (Act I)

11. What literary device does Wilde employ in Algernon's speech to Jack upon learning his name is not Ernest?

Wilde uses a pun with the words "Ernest" and "earnest." (Act I) ....You are the most earnest-looking person I ever saw in my life. ...