Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest

A detailed Summary of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest


In Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" there are some major relationships that are created. In each relationship, the partners base their love on some confound, idealized notion of need. Furthermore each couple has a distinct type of language that they share. A perfect example would be the relationship between Algernon and Cecily. Though the relationship between them seems to be based on a secure commitment of love, they are, in fact, both living a superficial love life spawned by their desires.

Cecily loved Algernon , or more preferably Ernest, before they even met. She created their love from stories that her uncle Jack would tell her about him , and the fact that his name was Ernest. " Well, ever since dear Uncle Jack first confessed to us that he had a younger brother... And of course a man who is much talked about is always very attractive... I daresay it was foolish of me, but I fell in love with you, Ernest." So basically Ernest was a figment of imagination and stories brought t


The relationship between Cecily and Algernon has shown that their love is nothing but a fabrication of their deepest desires. They fall in love and want to marry each other , moments after they meet and talk. Is this truly a lasting relationship or just foolish romance? Another question that is raised, is how long would this relationship last, would it become something more then love at first site. Cecily asks "Algy, could you wait for me till I was thirty-five?". Algernon replies " Of course I could, Cecily. You know I could."

Algernon's love seems as if "cupid shot him with an arrow", he is completely awestruck by her. When they start conversing with one another , he finds out that she loves the name Ernest and detests the name Algernon and that she says " but I fear that I should not be able to give you my undivided attention". After he heard that, the first thing he does , is to go find Dr. Chasuble and get a christening. This shows that he is devoted to her and would do anything for her to

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 678
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

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