Algernon The Importance Of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde has a unique title and tons of irony in the play. Throughout the play both Algernon and Jack impersonate someone named Earnest, but they are both ironically not earnest. Specifically how they act frivolously, irreverently, and manipulate others. The definition of earnest is “showing depth and sincerity of feeling.” Throughout the play, the way Algernon acts frivolously makes him not earnest. In the first act, Algernon knows that bringing Jack to his house in the country is a bad idea. Algernon states “Yes, that is all very well; but I am afraid Aunt Augusta won’t quite approve of your being here” (act one) Algernon knows that Jack and Gwendolen have been flirting around, and that this angers Lady …show more content…
In the first act, Algernon shows this behavior when he read the inside of Jack’s cigarette case. Jack says to Algernon, “It is a very ungentlemanly thing to read a private cigarette case.” Later on in the first at, Algernon shows this behavior again after Lady Bracknell, Gwendolen, and Jack are done speaking to each other. When Jack says “Good morning! [Algernon, from the other room, strikes up the Wedding March. Jack looks perfect furious, and goes to the door.] For goodness’ sake don’t play that ghastly tune, Algy. How idiotic you are!” Algernon is being lighthearted towards Jack’s feelings, because he knows that Lady Bracknell is not fond of Jack. In the second act Algernon disrespects Jack by interfering with his double life. Algernon knows that Jack will not be pleases with him being at his house in the country. Algernon knows that it is Jack’s plan to kill off Earnest, but he uses this fake persona anyway to gain access to Cecily. Later on in act two, Algernon shows his irreverent behavior when he states “When I am in trouble, eating is the only thing that consoles me. Indeed, when I am in really great trouble, as any one who knows me intimately will tell you, I refuse everything except food and drink. At the present moment I am eating muffins because I am unhappy. Besides, I am particularly fond of muffins.” Cecily and Gwendolen just found out that Jack and Algernon are not who they say they are. From this Algernon is just eating his problems away instead of helping solve the issue. In the third act, Algernon is so careless with covering up his lie about Bunbury and misspeaks “Oh! I killed Bunbury this afternoon. I mean poor Bunbury died this afternoon.” It seems Algernon relates to this quote from Esai Morales “I love being irreverent. But I hate being irrelevant. I love being irreverent because at the end of the day your