Plot Summary:

Confusion sparks when Algernon Moncrieff reads the inscription in his friend "Ernest's" cigarette case, in which he is referred to as "Uncle Jack." When confronted with this discrepancy, "Ernest" admits to Algy that his Christian name is Jack. He explains that at his country home, where he lives with his young ward Cecily, he goes by the name of Jack, yet he uses a fictional brother by the name of Ernest as an excuse to frequently visit the city, where he goes by Ernest. Algy is surprised, yet admits that he himself has invented a fiction invalid friend by the name of Bunbury so as to escape from social engagements that he wants to avoid.

Soon, Algy's aunt, Lady Bracknell, and cousin Gwendolen visit for tea. Jack is thrilled by this opportunity to propose to Gwendolen, whom he has been enthralled by for quite some time. Although Gwendolen accepts, her mother insists that Jack must be approved. Through Lady Bracknell's interrogation, she finds that Jack has no family to speak of, and was, in fact, adopted by way of a handbag, making him unsuitable for marriage. Jack is crushed, yet Algy seems to have no sympathy for his friend.

Next, outside at Jack Worthing's estate, we see Cecily and her governess, Miss Prism, who is attempting to interest Cecily in her German lesson. Miss Prism is distracted by an invitation for a stroll with Dr Chasuble, a priest who lives on the grounds. Now alone, Cecily is surprised by the arrival of Algernon, who pretends to be Jack's brother, "Ernest Worthing." Cecily is instantly smitten by him, yet when Jack arrives home, he is appalled to find Algy pursuing his eighteen-year-old ward. Although Jack insists that he leave at once, Algy finds time propose to Cecily, and she accepts.

Gwendolen suddenly arrives in the country and is first introduced to Cecily. Over tea, the two young women discover that they are both engaged to a "Mr. Ernest Worthing." This creates great tension between the new acquaintances. The confusion is cleared up by the arrival of both Jack and Algy, who are forced to come clean about their true identities. The girls, shocked and furious, flee the scene together so as to decide what to do. Jack and Algy are left alone with the tea, and begin taking their anger out on each other. They also discover that they have both made arrangements to be christened under the name of Ernest to please their fiancées.

Just as Gwendolen and Cecily announce that they have chosen to forgive the two men, Lady Bracknell arrives. She is furious to see both her daughter and her nephew involved in romances with "inadequate" partners, yet when she hears of Cecily's financial status, she is eager to welcome her into the family. Jack sees the leverage in the situation, and says that he will not give his consent for Cecily to marry Algy until he and Gwendolen are permitted to marry. Before any compromise can be made, Lady Bracknell hears the name "Miss Prism" and insists that she must see her at once.

When Miss Prism arrives, Lady Bracknell demands to know what happened to "that baby" - a child who had been lost decades ago. Miss Prism admits with shame that she mistakenly placed the baby she was in charge of in a handbag and left it in a train station. Jack sees the connection between his past and this incident, and produces the very handbag in which he had been found. Miss Prism is pleased to be reunited with her old belonging. Jack now turns to Lady Bracknell to tell him who he is.

She informs him that he is none other than her nephew, and the brother of Algernon Moncrieff. She is unable to remember what his Christian name was, yet informs him that his father's Christian name (which would have been his as well) could be found in any military dictionary. Jack quickly finds one, and he is thrilled to announce that his real name is Ernest!

 

Characters:

Lane
The loyal manservant to Algernon Moncrieff. He is sarcastic and pessimistic, and often takes the blame for Algy's wrong-doings.

Algernon ("Algy") Moncrieff (late 20's - younger than Jack)
A troublemaker who insists on living a life of luxury even thought he has "nothing but his debts to depend on." He believes that marriage is more about business than pleasure - but that all changes when he meets Cecily Cardew, who he falls head over heels for (although she is only 18 and his friend Jack's ward). Algy is impulsive and does not think about the consequences of his actions, but his light-hearted manner and charisma often get him out of unfortunate situations.

John ("Jack") Worthing (29)
A clever man with a hint of neurosis who wants nothing more than to be married to Gwendolen Fairfax. Jack believes in maintaining an appropriate social image, although his past is less then proper (in social terms). He leads a double life, residing primarily in the country as the guardian of Cecily Cardew, but he frequently visits the city under the name of Ernest Worthing.

Lady Bracknell (early 50's)
A stuffy, uppity woman who prides herself on her social stature. She is often referred to as Aunt Augusta by her nephew Algernon. As Gwendolen's mother, she is overbearing and protective. She thinks she wants only the best for Gwendolen but ends up putting social "correctness" before her daughter's happiness.

Gwendolen Fairfax (early-mid 20's)
Having been brought up by Lady Bracknell, Gwendolen is polite and tactful. Unlike her mother, Gwendolen cares more about love than social stature, and she plans to find any possible way to marry Jack Worthing. In achieving this, Gwendolen's independent and rebellious side is revealed. Gwendolen has always dreamt of marrying a man named Ernest, since, as she says, "the name inspires absolute confidence."

Cecily Cardew (18)
An adventurous daydreamer, Cecily brings a diary wherever she goes in order to keep a record of everything that happens to her. Cecily is above all a hopeless romantic, and has always been intrigued by the idea of her guardian Jack's younger brother, Ernest. Cecily's youth and innocence give this pretty girl an admirable charm.

Miss Prism (60's)
A timid, seemingly responsible woman. She is Cecily's governess, but in her younger years worked for Lady Bracknell. She also wrote a three-volume novel of which she is extremely proud. Miss Prism is a patient and committed teacher to Cecily. She becomes well-acquainted with Dr. Chasuble throughout the play, yet is far too shy to let on that she has feelings for him.

Reverend Frederick Chasuble (60's)
While living on the grounds of Jack's manor, Dr. Chasuble attends to religious duties around the estate. He is a good-natured man, who also tends to be somewhat awkward - but he always means well. Dr. Chasuble has taken a liking to Miss Prism, but, like her, he is too shy to express his feelings.

Merriman
Jack Worthing's butler, who lives on the estate. Merriman's personality is dry, and he expresses no opinions of his own - he acts as the messenger on the manor.