The Importance of Being Earnest

The First ActQ1. ‘Ernest in town and Jack in the country’—what does this expression mean?Q2. Whose forte is not literary criticism?Q3. What is the meaning of a Bunburyist?Q4. Who is Lady Bracknell?The Second ActQ1. Who does not like German grammar?Q2. Define the character of Chasuble.Q3. Why has the Primitive Church not lasted up to the […]

Chapter-6 Town and CountryIn The Importance of Being Earnest one’s residence is a key signifier of one’s social standing and sophistication. Lady Bracknell’s keen interest in Jack’s address exemplifies this alignment between class, fashion and residence. She finds Jack’s house in town to be ‘unfashionable’, and his country estate to be neither a ‘profit or

Chapter-5 JackErnest/Mr. Ernest Worthing/Uncle Jack/John Worthing, J.P./Ernest John. The protagonist of the play, Jack seems like a respectable young man, but leads a double life as a clever dandy. He goes by ‘Ernest’ in town and ‘Jack’ in the country. Meanwhile, he pretends to have a brother also named ‘Ernest’ whose mischief frequently calls him

Chapter-4 In his fashionable London flat, Algernon plays the piano from an adjoining room offstage while his butler Lane sets the parlor on stage for tea. While Algernon absent-mindedly munches on cucumber sandwiches, prepared for Aunt Augusta (Lady Bracknell) and cousin Gwendolen’svisit, he remarks on an inaccurate entry in the household books. Wondering why eight

Chapter-3 SCENEMorning-room at the Manor House is shown. Both Gwendolen and Cecily are standing at the window and looking out into the garden.Gwendolen. The fact that they did not follow us at once into the house, as any one else would have done, seems to me to show that they have some sense of shame

Chapter-2 SCENE A garden full of roses is shown at the Manor House. Grey stone steps lead up to the House. It is the month of July. There are basket chairs and a table with some books on it, set under a big yew-tree. Miss Prism is seen seated at the table whereas Cecily behind

Chapter-1 SCENEAlgernon’s flat is located in Half-moon Street. His room is artistically and richly decorated and furnished. In the room next to his, the sound of a piano playing can be heard. Lane arranges afternoon tea on the table. Algernon steps in after the music has stopped.Algernon. Did you notice what I was playing, Lane?Lane.