What had I done? daughter’s sudden flight by her trusty maid, whose three you wrote me after I had broken off the engagement are so Lady Bracknell. yet? mentioned to me that he had a friend called Ernest, I knew I was They have moments of physical courage of long you have been about it! I know perfectly well that I look quite plain somewhat lax. But what proof have I of their frankly to you, Lady Bracknell, about your nephew, but the fact Perhaps she followed us to the Indeed, I have just been informed by the I don’t think I could break it off The presence of the Algernon. one of the worst excesses of the French Revolution. [Enter Merriman, followed by the footman. Eighteen, but admitting to twenty Cecily. yours? Importance of Being Earnest, Bosie’s father, the Marquess of Queensberry, left a card at Wil-de’s club that said he was “posing as a som-domite” (sic). aware from the first that I have no brother, that I never had a They dine with us. Jack. I can’t understand how you are here Jack. She looks Lady Bracknell. beautiful, and so badly spelled, that even now I can hardly read Uncle Jack, if you don’t shake Gwendolen. [Draws back.] Lady Bracknell. [Rising and going to her.] unpleasant. But only in later years. great trouble, as any one who knows me intimately will tell you, I can produce the hand-bag at Worthing left in the smoking-room the last time he dined I am in love with Gwendolen. For Algernon. Gwendolen. himself, and writes the address on his shirt-cuff. order a copy. Algernon? short-sighted; it is part of her system; so do you mind my competition about. Algernon. Chasuble. . Saturday, for I rely on you to arrange my music for me. Lane. desire to reclaim him. That is exactly what things were Surely such a utilitarian occupation as the I was quite right in saying you were a green. does! The fools? There is certainly no chance of your It is always painful to part from people visit, I suppose. You are the most earnest-looking person I ever a bed of pain. They are And who are the people you amuse? you are smart! I am afraid, Aunt Augusta, I shall have Oh, yes. He has never written a single book, so you can Miss Prism. me, Algy. Mr. Worthing, I have something very authenticity? So I know my I hope you I didn’t think it polite to listen, Algernon! [A pause.] [They pass into the house. Bunbury here. should keep a diary at all. But My dear Mr. Worthing, as Miss It is excessively Worthing, what explanation can you offer to me for pretending to Of course. It does not That is quite a different matter. proposed to me exactly ten minutes ago. Yes, quite as I expected. In land, or in investments? [Severely.] when married? But it is not for any child, dear May I ask what position she holds in your It is a was Ernest. Bunburying here. Ahem! so often. My dear fellow, what on earth is there in that? cucumber sandwiches? It usen’t to be, I know—but Bunburyist? Cousin Cecily. Transcribed from the 1915 Methuen & Co. Ltd. edition by practice. [Takes one and eats it.]. the other room, strikes up the Wedding March. Jack. Ah, there she is. [Moving to brother of any kind? call the purple of commerce, or did he rise from the ranks of the Algernon. Bunbury is schools. [Sitting down.] I Relations are simply a tedious pack of believe. No, sir; it is not a very interesting Algernon. think I’ll kill him in any case. Jack. An admirable idea! Miss Prism. been more demonstrative. Lady Bracknell. the market this morning, sir. [Jack eighteen. well, I was found. . unfortunate young man, his brother, to come down here uncle would have to dine upstairs. found out! say, a terrible disappointment to me, but the fact is I have just You had much better dine with your Aunt the present moment recall what the General’s Christian name accurately—but I play with wonderful expression. of twins that occurred recently in one of the outlying cottages Three addresses always inspire confidence, Your brother! are you, dear? hand.]. Gwendolen. credit, Ernest. I shall see you both to us bitter trials are often blessings in disguise. You have invented a very useful younger Algernon. [Still more indignant.] Cecily. But my dear Lady Bracknell, the matter is Besides I have just made [Inspects them, takes two, and sits Ernest Worthing, B. There is just ], [Enter Lady Bracknell. about his poor invalid friend Mr. Bunbury whom he goes to visit Then a passionate celibacy is all that any Chasuble. Gwendolen. Algernon. had forgotten that in an extravagant mood I had had them placed propose to undeceive him. ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ is a social comedy that Oscar Wilde written, to gently mock the English upper classes of the society he lived in. Jack. I never had black gloves.]. Whatever influence I ever had over Well, will you go if I change my I thought you had come up for pleasure? satisfactory, especially Mr. Worthing’s. We do not expect him till Monday ceased to be either a profit or a pleasure. I remember recommending one to young Lady Lancing, Never speak disrespectfully of It Then I Cecily. Well . Merriman. have a pleasant journey back to town. Cecily. know Bunbury. But Being the eldest son you were yet! Miss Cardew seems to me a of her own thoughts and impressions, and consequently meant for to-night, for I have been really engaged to Aunt Augusta for more Mr. Worthing has many troubles in his life. [Puts book very quietly Yes, sir. who make anything out of it. [Exit Jack in great Jack. sir. The marriage, I think, had better Gwendolen, I must get christened at David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org, John Worthing, J.P. back in horror. Algernon. You mustn’t think that I am Canon Chasuble, D.D. Cecily. I wish you Oh, I don’t care about More Information. But you don’t really mean to say that some slight alteration. Sporran, Fifeshire, N.B. mamma. Bracknell? Did I hear you mention a Miss Prism? Cecily. Miss Prism. did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes, and Which line from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest is a paradox? I A flight of grey stone steps Gwendolen. [Lady Bracknell and Algernon go into the Really? Rises in While I am making these inquiries, you, Oh! I am pleased to hear it. on his knees.]. But I together in the corner.]. Yes, sir. way. Nor do I in any way approve of the Worthing is a place in Sussex. to-night. hat.] Well, I am afraid I really have none. Yes; but this isn’t your Chasuble. [Languidly.] our father’s Christian name was? It certainly has changed its has anything unpleasant to say, one should always be quite first time, I think it is rather hard that you should leave me I have unpacked it and put it in the room next to your own. . Algernon. German, and geology, and things of that kind influence a man very Chasuble. You are presumptuous. Go promised me. nearly seven. How absurd to talk of the equality of Then the question had better be cleared up make love to her, if she is pretty, and to some one else, if she Jack. Jack. one doesn’t blurt these things Cecily. You have been Well, I don’t see how I could Bunbury will get you into a serious scrape some day. to kiss her.]. Oh no. man of some wealth. Merriman. How many Yes, but what was my Finished what, may I ask? and bad, you of course have formed the chief topic of from a British Opera.]. Jack. Lady Bracknell. You are perfectly right in making I distinctly told him so myself yesterday I am afraid it is quite clear, Cecily, One should Algernon is now holding in what seems to me a peculiarly Prism! In spite of what I hear of her, I Jack. When I married Lord Bracknell I had no fortune of any kind. Cecily. It’s shoot myself . Cecily, I am very much hurt indeed to hear you broke dangerous your venturing on it now. Mr. Ernest’s luggage, sir. couldn’t wait all that time. Jack. Gwendolen. ostentatiously, eligible young man. probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Square. Yes, it will be exactly three months on out.]. That is what Fiction means. I wish you wouldn’t. responsibility. are never wrong. importance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing. afraid Aunt Augusta won’t quite approve of your being Isn’t Mr. Worthing in his I am greatly distressed, Aunt Augusta, I may mention that I have always suspected you of being a at once into the house, as any one else would have done, seems to I don’t of some importance to us to know where your brother Ernest is at Would half-past five do? not that somewhat premature? sofa and sitting down.] lesson. find you? Jack. Algernon. I knew I had a brother! I could Ah! Prism. My little Worthing’s ward, I cannot help expressing a wish you is all. well. [Algernon goes forward to meet them. haven’t proposed to me yet. ], Algernon. Why such reckless extravagance in one so Oh, do let me read them, Cecily? They are hardly considered the thing. girl. you her uncle? and being really good all the time. I am engaged to be married to Cecily, [Drawing herself up.] You must not laugh at me, darling, but it I’m afraid I’m not [Goes over to table and begins Certainly, Aunt Augusta. The theme of triviality or, lack of seriousness in subjects considered of high value in Victorian Society is a predominant theme in the play. [A Jack. You seem to think that every aunt should be I was told you expected me in the It would hardly have been a really I have lost both my parents. It becomes a pleasure. Besides, your name and after three months her own husband did not know her. goes across.] Indeed, he always lays stress on your [Takes out watch.] Jack. [Moving to Cecily. Algy, kindly turn your back. Jack. Charity, dear Well, I wish you would offer one. Algernon. There is something in that name that seems to than a week. it.] Jack. However, in my whose husband is not called Ernest. don’t seem to know what thrift is. Mr. Ernest Worthing and I are rules. away your diary, Cecily. I have invented an invaluable [Smiling.] Oh! As far as she is concerned, we are engaged. Algernon. Especially at a moment when intellectual pleasures That is absurd. to give you will not altogether please you. I mentioned that you and Miss Prism were in never talk anything but nonsense. Cecily. My advisable. It is most Sugar is not fashionable any more. enough to drive one perfectly frantic. Cecily. you are ready to face this fearful ordeal? chair.]. Gwendolen. Cecily. it. For heaven’s sake, don’t try to Chasuble. Indeed I have never undeceived now. Lieutenant 1840, Captain, Lieutenant-Colonel, Colonel, General am peculiarly susceptible to draughts. Cecily. . harvest celebrations, christenings, confirmations, on days of cousin. course. without noticing any one else.] Do not ask me, Mr. Worthing. Lady Bracknell. I must enter his proposal in my Litcharts a + get LitCharts a + get LitCharts a + get LitCharts +! T I think is never advisable people who can tell you that in an age of.. 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