The Importance of Being Earnest Character Relationships and Conflicts

1. The Importance of Being EarnestCharacter Relationships and Conflicts In London Jack is known as Earnest to all his friends. His best friend is Algernon, “Algy”. On Jacks last visit to London he asks Algy if he would consent to his marriage to Algy’s cousin Gwendolen. Algy finds out that Jack has another life in the country and insists Earnest explain who Cecily is before he consents. John “Jack” Worthing AKA Earnest Worthing Algernon Moncrieff London Living Country Estate Algy and Gwendolen are first cousins and are annoyingly watched over by Gwendolen’s mother Lady Bracknell, whom Algy calls Aunt Augusta. Gwendolen is in love with Algy’s friend Earnest and wishes to marry him, but her mother will not allow it. Jack is guardian to Cecily who is the grand daughter of Jack’s adoptive father, Thomas Cardew. They live on a country estate in Hertfordshire. Jack claims to have a wasteful brother named Earnest who requires his frequent visits to London in order bail him out of financial distress. Country Conflict Gwendolen Fairfax Cecily Cardew Jack Worthing Cecily Cardew Algernon Moncrieff Gwendolen Fairfax Jack returns to the country without Gwendolen and informs all those living on the estate that his brother Earnest has died. He is followed shortly by his friend Algy who shows up claiming to be Jack’s brother Earnest. Shortly after Algy’s arrival Gwendolen follows determined to marry Earnest against her mother’s wishes. Cecily meets Algy, now claiming to be Jack’s brother Earnest, and instantly falls in love with the troublesome brother, and they become engaged. Cecily soon meets Gwendolen who also claims to be engaged to “Earnest”. both women discover they have been lied to and that neither man is really named Earnest which posses a problem since both women wish to marry A man named Earnest. After discovering that Jack had A second life in the country Algy was determined to learn the identity of Cecily. Upon arrival at his friends country estate he meets and falls in love with Jack’s ward Cecily who believes him to be Jack’s troublesome and adventurous brother. Algy’s aunt agrees to the engagement after learning of Cecily’s huge trust fund but Jack refuses to allow it. Gwendolen follows her cousin to Jack’s country estate only to meet a young girl named Cecily who also claims to be engaged to “Earnest”. After uncovering the deception posed by the two men Gwendolen learns that Earnest’s real name is Jack which greatly upsets her since she really wishes to marry an Earnest.