Lecture Notes on "The Importance of Being Earnest"

Introduction

• The play begins with a conversation about music and personal expression.
• A character expresses that while anyone can play accurately, they prioritize sentiment and expression in their music.

Characters

• Lane: Servant who comments on the events happening.
• Algernon (Algy): A character with relaxed views on marriage and relationships.
• Ernest (Jack): Algy's friend who has a double life.
• Gwendolen: Algy's love interest who has specific ideas about names and romance.
• Lady Bracknell: Gwendolen's mother, who represents societal norms and expectations.
• Cecily: Jack's ward who is also involved in the romantic entanglements.
• Miss Prism: Cecily's governess who has her own backstory and connections.

Themes and Concepts

• Marriage: Discussed as a business transaction rather than a romantic endeavor.
• Identity and Names: The significance of names, especially "Ernest", and its impact on relationships.
• Social Class and Expectations: Comments on the behaviors of the upper class and their moral responsibilities.
• Deception and Double Lives: Characters leading dual existences and the chaos that ensues from it.

Plot Summary

• Jack and Algy discuss their lives and romantic interests.
• Jack proposes to Gwendolen, who insists she can only love someone named "Ernest".
• Algy reveals his own interests in Cecily, while also navigating his identity.
• The characters engage in witty banter about marriage, identity, and societal expectations.
• Misunderstandings arise from Jack's double life as Ernest in town and Jack in the country.
• Lady Bracknell interrogates Jack about his background, leading to revelations about his origins.
• The significance of the handbag and the mystery surrounding Jack's birth is revealed later in the play.

Key Quotes

• "The truth is rarely pure and never simple."
• "All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That is his."
• "I have invented a younger brother called Ernest…"

Conclusion

• The play is a satire of Victorian society, marriage conventions, and the importance of identity.
• The play ends with the revelation that Jack's true name is indeed Ernest, bringing closure to the thematic exploration of identity.