What happens in Act Two of The Importance of Being Earnest?
Act II is set at Jack Worthing’s country estate where Miss Prism is seated in the garden giving her student, Cecily Cardew, a lesson in German grammar. When Cecily expresses an interest in meeting Jack’s wicked brother, Ernest, Miss Prism repeats Jack’s opinion that his brother has a weak character.
How does Algernon present himself to Cecily?
Merriman presents Cecily with a visiting card, which is the one Algernon took from Jack in Act I. Algernon decides to reform himself that afternoon, adding that he is hungry, and he and Cecily flirt with each other as they head into the house to find sustenance. Miss Prism and Dr.
What do Jack and Algernon argue about at the end of Act II?
Both men accuse each other of deceiving the women in their lives, and Jack says that Algernon cannot marry Cecily because he has been deceptive to her. Alternatively, Algernon accuses Jack of engaging in deception toward his cousin, Gwendolen.
Why does Jack upset Algernon?
When Algernon appears in the doorway, Jack is furious, not only because Algernon is there, but also because he is disguised as Jack’s own invented, and now presumably dead, brother.
How is Jack’s new found relationship to Algernon ironic?
What is ironic about this relationship? Algy is Jack’s brother. (Algy younger) They both knew each other, getting annoyed with each other. Algy pretended to be Jack’s brother acting as Earnest.
What is the plot in The Importance of Being Earnest?
It’s the story of two bachelors, John ‘Jack’ Worthing and Algernon ‘Algy’ Moncrieff, who create alter egos named Ernest to escape their tiresome lives. They attempt to win the hearts of two women who, conveniently, claim to only love men called Ernest.
Who was the baby that Miss Prism misplaced in a handbag?
Having pieced together the mysterious disappearance of the baby boy, Jack declares that he is the lost boy who was abandoned in Miss Prism’s handbag and embraces her as his mother. Through this story, Wilde unites Miss Prism’s absentmindedness as a fiction writer with the backstory behind Jack’s fictional life.
Who are the characters in The Importance of Being Earnest?
See a complete list of the characters in The Importance of Being Earnest and in-depth analyses of Jack Worthing, Algernon Moncrieff, Gwendolen Fairfax, and Cecily Cardew. Here’s where you’ll find analysis about the book as a whole. Find the quotes you need to support your essay, or refresh your memory of the book by reading these key quotes.
Where is the manor house in The Importance of Being Earnest?
In the garden of The Manor House, Jack’s country estate in Hertfordshire, Miss Prism is trying to interest Cecily in her German lesson. Cecily would prefer to water the flowers, but Miss Prism reminds Cecily that Jack encourages Cecily to improve herself in every way.
How did Jack die in The Importance of Being Earnest?
Jack’s story matches the one he and Algernon cooked up the previous evening: that Ernest passed away in Paris from a “severe chill.” Dr. Chasuble suggests that he might mention the sad news in next Sunday’s service and begins talking about his upcoming sermon.
What does Cecily say to Miss Prism in The Importance of Being Earnest?
Cecily expresses some slight irritation with the fact that her Uncle Jack is so serious, and Miss Prism reminds her of his constant concern over his troublesome brother Ernest. Cecily, who has begun writing in her diary, says she wishes Jack would allow Ernest to visit them sometime.