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Oscar Wilde wrote several plays based on his observation of the hypocrasy of the English upper classes in the late 19th century. The Importance of Being Earnest is perhaps his best known piece. Described by the author as a trivial comedy for serious people, it portrays a cast of characters with eccentric and decided views who never listen properly to one another.
The plot revolves around a case of mistaken identity. The stolid Jack Worthing pretends to be his mythical brother, "Ernest", in town, where he has been smitten by the wiles of the flirtatious Gwendolen. The couple's plans for engagement are thwarted by Gwendolen's snobish mother, Lady Bracknell who finds that jack's antecedants derive from a handbag deposited at Victoria Station.
Meanwhile, Jack's friend , the improvident Algernon Moncrieff, has resolved to meet Jack's ward, the mysterious Cecily. Posing as Jack's brother, "Ernest", he Bunburies off to the country (see the play for the meaning of Bunbury), where he falls for the charming Cecily.
Unfortunately for Jack and Algernon, both Gwendolin and Cecliy are resolved on marrying - "Ernest". The men ask the Rev Dr Chasuble to undertake a double christeneing in the hope that this will win over their respective paramours.
The appearance of Dr Chasuble and his doting admirer, Miss Prism, just as Lady Bracknell has appeared once more to forbid both marriages, allows the almost surreal explanation of Jack's origins to emerge.
All, of course, ends happily.
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