How Oscar Wilde depicts the social life in The Importance of being Earnest?

"The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde is a satirical comedy that sharply
critiques the societal norms and expectations of the Victorian upper class. Wilde uses
humor, irony, and wit to expose the superficiality, hypocrisy, and absurdities prevalent in
the society of his time. Here's a detailed overview of the society portrayed in the play:

1. Social Mores and Morality:

 Superficiality: The society depicted in the play is characterized by a superficial

emphasis on appearances, names, and social standing. The characters are often more
concerned with the trivialities of etiquette and style than with genuine moral values.
 Moral Hypocrisy: While the characters adhere to a set of moral and social standards,
their actions often reveal a disconnect between what society values and their true
behavior. The use of dual identities and deception underlines this hypocrisy.

2. Marriage and Social Status:

 Matrimonial Pursuits: Marriage is a central theme, and the characters' attitudes

towards it are satirized. Gwendolen and Cecily are more interested in the name "Ernest"
than the actual qualities of their suitors.
 Social Climbing: Lady Bracknell epitomizes the societal emphasis on social standing.
She is highly selective about potential suitors for her daughter, Gwendolen, and
evaluates them based on their lineage and wealth.
 Importance of Names: The play satirizes the significance attached to names. The
characters, particularly Jack and Algernon, go to great lengths to be called "Ernest"
because the name is associated with certain qualities deemed desirable by society.

3. Gender Roles and Expectations:

 Women's Roles: The female characters, Gwendolen and Cecily, are portrayed with a
degree of independence, but their lives are still largely defined by societal expectations.
Their pursuits are influenced by societal norms, especially concerning marriage.
 Satirical Commentary: Wilde uses the play to comment on the restrictive gender roles
of his time, showcasing how women were expected to prioritize marriage and social
status.

4. Satirical Targets:
 Upper Class: The play satirizes the Victorian upper class, highlighting its obsession with
social status, adherence to rigid etiquette, and superficial values.
 Institution of Marriage: Wilde satirizes the institution of marriage, revealing the trivial
reasons behind many marital pursuits in the upper echelons of society.

5. Individual vs. Society:

 Jack's Struggle: Jack's conflict between his individual desires and societal expectations
is a central theme. His adoption of the name "Ernest" and his desire to marry Gwendolen
reflect the tension between personal autonomy and societal constraints.

6. Humor and Irony:

 Wit and Irony: Wilde employs humor, wit, and irony to lampoon societal conventions
and reveal the absurdity of certain social expectations.
 Clever Dialogue: The play is celebrated for its clever dialogue and aphorisms, often
used to criticize societal norms.

7. Bunburying and Deception:

 Deceptive Practices: Characters engage in deceptive practices like Bunburying to

escape social obligations, highlighting the lengths to which they go to maintain
appearances.
 False Identities: The use of false names and identities underscores the theme of
deception and the façade maintained by individuals in society.

In summary, "The Importance of Being Earnest" offers a scathing critique of

Victorian society, exposing the artificiality and absurdity of its norms. Wilde
uses humor and satire to question the values, expectations, and social
conventions prevalent in the upper class, making the play a timeless
exploration of societal hypocrisies.
 How the plot of "The Importance of Being Earnest" revolves around the mistaken identities?

"The Importance of Being Earnest" revolves around the theme of mistaken identities, creating a

humorous and intricate plot. The entire narrative is driven by characters assuming false

identities or struggling with their own real identities. Here's how the plot unfolds around

mistaken identities:

1. Algernon and Bunbury:

 Algernon, one of the main characters, has invented a fictional friend named Bunbury.

 Bunbury serves as an excuse for Algernon to escape social obligations whenever he

pleases.

 This creates a mistaken identity scenario as Algernon presents himself as someone else

to avoid certain engagements.

2. Jack and Ernest:

 The protagonist, Jack Worthing, assumes the false identity of "Ernest" whenever he

goes to the city.

 Jack explains that he created this alter ego to lead a double life, allowing himto pursue

p leasu re an d escap e fro m h is resp o n sib ilities in th e co u n try .

  Cecily, Jack' s ward, believes that "Ernest" is Jack' s wicked brother and falls in love with

this imaginary character .

3. Gwendolen's Love for Ernest:

 Gwendolen, Algernon's love interest, is enamored with the name "Ernest."

 She believes that Jack' s name being Ernest is a prerequisite for her love.

 This creates a mistaken identity situation, as Gwendolen is attracted to a name, not the

actual person.

4. Cecily's Romantic Fantasies:

 Cecily, Jack' s ward, has created romantic fantasies about "Ernest" and believes she is engaged to him.

 Her love is based on her perception of "Ernest" as a wicked, reformed man, and not on

Jack's true identity.

5. Double Proposal Confusion:

 G w en d o len an d C ecily b o th b eliev e th ey are en g ag ed to m en n am ed "E rn est."

 This leads to a confusion of mistaken identities when the truth comes out that neither

Algernon nor Jack is truly named "Ernest."

6. Revelations and Resolutions:

 The mistaken identities are revealed when Gwendolen and Cecily discover the truth

about the men's real names.

 Jack' s true name is revealed to be "Ernest, " leading to a resolution that satisfies Gwendolen' s

condition for love.

7. Lady Bracknell's Investigation:

  Lady Bracknell, Gwendolen' s mother, conducts an investigation into Jack' s suitability as

a suitor for her daughter.

 Lady Bracknell is initially concerned about Jack's origins, creating an element of mistaken identity

around Jack's parentage.

8. The Importance of Being Earnest:

 The play's title itself is a play on words and adds to the theme of mistaken identities.

 The characters emphasize the importance of being "Ernest" to maintain social standing

and secure romantic relationships.

In summary, mistaken identities form the crux of the comedic plot in "The Importance of Being

Earnest." The characters' use of false names and the confusion arising from these deceptions

drive the humor and satire, creating a farcical exploration of societal expectations and the

absurdities of romantic pursuits.

The characters are admirably contrasted in "The Importance of Being Earnest", Discuss with

special reference to special characters

"The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde is celebrated for its witty dialogue and

clever characterization. The characters are indeed admirably contrasted, each embodying

distinct traits and perspectives that contribute to the comedic and satirical nature of the play .

Here are some key characters and their contrasts:

 1. Jack Worthing (Ernest) and Algernon Moncrieff:

 Jack Worthing:

 Responsible, serious-minded, and somewhat uptight .

 Represents the moral, upright side of society.

 Takes his duties as guardian and country gentleman seriously.

 Algernon Moncrieff:

 itty, charming, and carefree.

W

 Epitomizes the carefree, dandyish lifestyle of the city.

 Indulges in Bunburying to escape social responsibilities.

2. Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew:

 Gwendolen Fairfax:

 Elegant, sophisticated, and worldly.

 Values style and manners; loves the name "Ernest ."

 Focused on social status and appearances.

 Cecily Cardew:

 Ingenuous, romantic, and somewhat naïve.

 Creates romantic fantasies, loves the idea of a wicked "Ernest ."

 Prefers genuine emotions over societal conventions.

3. Lady Bracknell and Miss Prism:

 Lady Bracknell:

 Authoritative, snobbish, and concerned with social status.

 Represents the upper-class societal expectations.

 Choosy about suitors for her daughter, Gwendolen.

 Miss Prism:

 Prim, proper, and responsible (to an extent).

 Represents the responsible side but has a past mistake.

 The source of much of the confusion regarding the handbag.

4. Lane and Merriman:

 Lane:

 Algernon's servant.

 Indifferent and cynical, reflecting his master's attitudes.

 M
erriman:

 Jack' s butler .

 More respectful and conventional than Lane.

 Reflects Jack's more serious and responsible nature.

5. Rev. Canon Chasuble and Dr. Frederick Chasuble:

 Rev. Canon Chasuble:

 A clergyman, somewhat superficial and flirty.

  Reflects the superficiality of some religious figures.

 Dr. Frederick Chasuble:

 The rector, more serious and concerned with his reputation.

 Represents the earnest, respectable side of the clergy.

6. M
oods and Settings:

 City vs. Country:

 Algernon represents the city lifestyle - sophisticated, fast-paced.

 Jack represents the more serious, country life with its moral obligations.

7. Love Interests:

 Gwendolen vs. Cecily:

 Gwendolen's love is influenced by social status and the name "Ernest."

 Cecily' s love is more idealistic, rooted in imagination and romance.

8. Satirical Targets:

 Social Satire:

 Both Algernon and Jack are satirical representations of the upper class.

 L ad y B rack n ell is a satirical targ et fo r h er o b sessio n w ith so cial statu s.

The contrasts among the characters in "The Importance of Being Earnest" serve Wilde's

satirical purposes. They highlight the absurdities of social norms, the superficiality of romantic
pursuits, and the contradictions within Victorian societal expectations. Each character

contributes uniquely to the comedy and satire, making the play a masterful exploration of the

society of its time.

Detailed Comparison of the character of Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff

Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, the central characters in Oscar Wilde's "The

Importance of Being Earnest," are intricately woven into the fabric of Wilde's satirical comedy,

each bringing a distinct flavor to the narrative.

Jack Worthing, also known by his fictional alter ego Ernest, is a figure of moral rectitude. As a

country gentleman and the guardian of Cecily Cardew, he exudes a sense of responsibility and

respectability. Jack's dual identity is born out of a desire for a double life – one where he is the

upstanding guardian in the countryside and the more carefree "Ernest" in the city. This

dichotomy serves as a vehicle for Wilde to explore the contrasts in societal expectations

between the city and the country. Jack' s romantic entanglement with Gwendolen Fairfax, and

the subsequent clash over the name "Ernest," becomes a focal point for Wilde's critique of the

superficial nature of social conventions, especially regarding names and societal approval.

In contrast, Algernon Moncrieff is a city dandy, a product of the fast-paced, sophisticated

lifestyle of urban society. Algernon's playfulness and indifference to societal expectations set

him apart from Jack's more earnest demeanor. His creation of the fictitious character Bunbury,

whomhe uses as an excuse to escape social obligations, showcases Algernon' s irreverent and cynical approach
to life. His dalliance with Cecily Cardew in the countryside, adopting the identity of "Ernest,"

adds another layer to Wilde's critique. Algernon, with his witty banter and humorous outlook,

becomes a mouthpiece for Wilde's scathing commentary on the trivialities of the upper class .

W h ile Jack an d A lg ern o n sh are th e co m m o n th read o f B u n b u ry in g , th eir m o tiv atio n s an d

attitu d es to w ard th is d ecep tio n d iffer. Jack seek s a d o u b le life fo r a m ix o f p racticality an d

ro m an tic p u rsu its, d riv en b y so cietal ex p ectatio n s an d th e d esire fo r G w en d o len 's ap p ro v al. In

co n trast, A lg ern o n 's B u n b u ry in g is ro o ted in a p lay fu l resistan ce to so cietal n o rm s. H is

sk ep ticism ab o u t m arriag e as a so cial co n v en tio n is ev id en t in h is in teractio n s w ith Jack an d h is

p u rsu it o f C ecily .

The characters also embody Wilde's exploration of love and marriage. Jack's sincere and

somewhat traditional approach to love contrasts with Algernon's more playful and flexible

attitude. The two characters become conduits for Wilde's satirical examination of the societal

pressures and absurdities surrounding courtship and matrimony.

In essence, Jack and Algernon, while sharing some common ground in their deceptive

practices, serve as contrasting symbols in Wilde's social satire. Jack represents the earnestness

and moral values associated with the countryside, while Algernon embodies the carefree,

cynical spirit of the city. Their interactions, laden with Wilde's signature wit, contribute to the

comedic brilliance and societal critique that defines "The Importance of Being Earnest ."
 What does the title represent "The Importance of Being Earnest."

The title "The Importance of Being Earnest" is a clever play on words by Oscar Wilde and

carries a significant thematic weight in the play. On the surface, it might suggest a

straightforward emphasis on the virtue of being honest and sincere in one's actions. However,

Wilde, known for his wit and satire, uses the title as a double entendre to convey a deeper,

more satirical meaning.

1. Literal Interpretation:

 The word "earnest" means sincere or genuine. In this context, the title could be read as

an endorsement of the virtue of honesty. It suggests that being truthful and

straightforward is essential in matters of love, relationships, and societal interactions.

2. Satirical Interpretation:

 The title is ironic and serves as a satirical commentary on the societal expectations and

values of the time, particularly the Victorian upper class.

 W ild e is m o ck in g th e su p erficial im p o rtan ce p laced o n triv ial th in g s lik e n am es, so cial

status, and appearances.

 The characters, especially Jack and Algernon, go to great lengths to be called "Ernest"

because the name is associated with qualities like earnestness, reliability, and

seriousness. However, their actions and the plot reveal the absurdity of this fixation on a

name.

3. Social Critique:
  W ild e u ses th e title to critiq u e th e artificial n atu re o f so cietal co n v en tio n s, esp ecially in

m atters o f lo v e an d m arriag e.

 The characters in the play often prioritize appearances over substance, and the title

highlights the irony of such a focus on being "Ernest" (or earnest) when the characters

themselves are often insincere and deceptive.

4. Pun and Wordplay:

 The title is a pun, playing on the word "earnest" and the name "Ernest."

 The pun serves Wilde's comedic purposes, adding a layer of humor to the exploration of

societal norms and the characters' attempts to conform to these norms.

5. Irony Regarding Names:

 The characters believe that being named "Ernest" is of utmost importance for social

acceptance and romantic success.

 The irony lies in the fact that the characters are not particularly earnest or sincere, and

their fixation on the name reflects the superficiality and artificiality of their concerns .

In summary, "The Importance of Being Earnest" is a title that encapsulates both a literal

encouragement for sincerity and a satirical critique of the importance placed on appearances

and societal norms. Wilde's wit and humor shine through as he uses the title to subvert

expectations and challenge the conventional values of his time.

Answer2
The Importance of Being Earnest has proven to be Oscar Wilde’s most enduring—and

endearing—play. Filled with witty Victorian aphorisms and Wilde’s own brand of wisdom, The

Importance of Being Earnest tells the story of Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff who use

clever deception and truth-bending to accommodate their social pursuits. Jack bends the truth to

include an imaginary brother, Ernest, whom he uses as an excuse to escape from the country to

party among urban socialites, while urbane Algernon uses a similar technique (Bunburying)

that provides him opportunities for taking adventures in the country. Of course, courting and

liaisons ensue, but not without complications. Oscar Wilde builds a farcical—albeit realistic—

world of Victorian social mores by using double entendre, aphorisms, and witty repartee.

Wilde seems to have been toying with audiences by giving the play a title with more than one

meaning. The play’s title can be deceptive. Rather than a form of the name Ernest, the title

implies earnestness as a quality one should seek to acquire, as in being honest, sincere, sober,

and serious. Throughout the play, Ernest is a name that encompasses qualities of the ideal man:

deeply trustworthy, truly loving, honorable and passionate, and absolutely sincere. Gwendolyn

says, “We live in an age of ideals . . . and my ideal has always been to love some one of the

name of Ernest. . . . The only really safe name is Ernest.” That both Gwendolyn and Cecily

dream of marrying a man named Ernest seems more than a coincidence. Cecily admits, “It had

always been a girlish dream of mine to love some one whose name was Ernest. There is

something in that name that seems to inspire absolute confidence.”

Indeed, there is almost a worship of the name more than what it represents. “It is a divine

name. It has a music of its own,” explains Gwendolyn. “It produces vibrations.” And Cecily
describes the man she thinks to be named Ernest as “the very soul of truth and honour.

Disloyalty would be as impossible to himas deception.” So, what’s in a name? W

ould a rose

by any other name, as Shakespeare asserts, smell as sweet? Ab solutely not, unless that name

were Ernest, according to Oscar Wilde’s portrayal of shallow, yet charming, Victorian women.

Within the context of the play, add confidence, safety, and gravity to the ideal man named

E rn est. B u t au d ien ces are left to w o n d er if W ild e m ean t to u se “E arn est” an d “E rn est”

in terch an g eab ly . A fter all, o n e is a d escrip tio n an d th e o th er is a m an ’s n am e. N o , W ild e

rem in d s v iew ers th at to b e earn est is m o re im p o rtan t th at to b e n am ed E rn est. T h e so cial

d ecep tio n s o f V icto rian E n g lan d w ere ram p an t, an d W ild e sim p ly w ish ed to call th in g s as h e

saw th em . O n e w ay h e d id th is w as th ro u g h d o u b le en ten d re; h o w ev er, h is u se o f ap h o rism s

w en t fu rth er in ex p o sin g th e w id esp read u se o f d ecep tio n am o n g th e g en try .

W ild e p ep p ered th e p lay w ith ap h o rism s, th o se p ith y w itticism s th at p u rp o rted ly d eriv e fro m

ex alted th o u g h t. In d eed , th e p lay w rig h t sp o k e in ap h o rism s o n h is d eath b ed w h en h e stated

th ro u g h fev ers, “M y w allp ap er an d I are fig h tin g a d u el to th e d eath . O n e o r th e o th er o f u s h as

to g o .” T h e fo llo w in g q u o tes fro m The Importance of Being Earnest ex em p lify W ild e’s ad ep t

u se o f ap h o rism s:

“Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloomis gone. The whole theory of

m o d ern ed u catio n is rad ically u n so u n d . F o rtu n ately in E n g lan d , at an y rate, ed u catio n p ro d u ces

n o effect w h atso ev er” (A ct 1).

“Relations are simply a tedious pack of people, who haven’t got the remotest knowledge of how to live, nor the

sm allest in stin ct ab o u t w h en to d ie” (A ct 1).

“All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his” (Act 1).

“The only way to behave to a woman is to make love to her, if she is pretty, and to someone else, if she is

plain” (Act 1).

“Women only [call each other sister] when they have called each other a lot of other things first” (Act 1).

“In married life, three is company and two is none” (Act 1).

“No married man is ever attractive except to his wife” (Act 2).

“Divorces are made in Heaven” (Act 2).

Oscar Wilde possessed an unmatched intuition about people that he wove into the fibers of his

indermere’s Fan. M o reo v er, h e seem ed

plays, which include An Ideal Husband, Salome, and Lady W

to accept with resignation his role as the most daring of writers in his era, and though he spoke

freely of marriage and male/female relationships, his own life contradicted those values.

Instead he chose to poke fun at the society that embraced him with all his eccentricities.

Wilde mingled truth and humor using tongue-in-cheek and witty repartee, both of which fit

beautifully into farce. And his adept use of truth in jest makes The Importance of Being

Earnest a perennial favorite of Western theatre audiences and literary critics. The following
quotes by characters in The Importance of Being Earnest reveal Oscar Wilde’s clever wit in

holding the mirror up to reveal truth and human nature:

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple. Modern life would be very tedious if it were either, and modern

literatu re a co m p lete im p o ssib ility !” (A lg ern o n ).

“My dear fellow, the truth isn’t quite the sort of thing one tells to a nice sweet refined girl” (Jack).

“It is very painful for me to be forced to speak the truth. It is the first time in my life that I have ever

b een red u ced to su ch a p ain fu l p o sitio n , an d I am really q u ite in ex p erien ced in d o in g an y th in g o f th e k in d ”

(Jack ).

“In matters of grave importance style, not sincerity is the vital thing” (Gwendolyn).

“Never speak disrespectfully of Society, Algernon. Only those who can’t get into it do that” (Jack).

“London society is full of women of the very highest birth who have, of their own choice, remained thirty-five

for years” (Lady Bracknell ).

“It is a terrible thing for a man to find out suddenly that all his life he has been speaking nothing but the

tru th . C an y o u fo rg iv e m e?” (Jack ).

“I’ve now realized for the first time in my life the vital importance of being earnest” (Jack).

The 1890s sawthe resurgence of live theater in fashionable London, and Oscar W
ilde’s plays

w ere th e m o st p o p u lar v en u es fo r th eaterg o ers. In an era o f strict so cial m o res, W ild e’s v ersio n
of society was greatly humorous. Today, in an era of few social constraints, Wilde’s version of

society still reminds us to laugh at ourselves.

Aphorisms and instant of aphorisms from The Importance of Being Earnest

Oscar W
ilde, known for his sharp wit and clever dialogue, filled "The Importance of Being

E arn est" w ith n u m ero u s ap h o rism s— co n cise an d w itty ex p ressio n s o f g en eral tru th s o r

o b serv atio n s ab o u t life. Wilde mingled truth and humor using tongue-in-cheek and witty

rep artee, b o th o f w h ich fit b eau tifu lly in to farce. A n d h is ad ep t u se o f tru th in jest m ak es The

Importance of Being Earnest a p eren n ial fav o rite o f W estern th eatre au d ien ces an d literary

critics. T h e fo llo w in g q u o tes b y ch aracters in The Importance of Being Earnest rev eal O scar

Wilde’s clever wit in holding the mirror up to reveal truth and human nature:

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple. Modern life would be very tedious if it were either, and modern

literatu re a co m p lete im p o ssib ility !” (A lg ern o n ).

“My dear fellow, the truth isn’t quite the sort of thing one tells to a nice sweet refined girl” (Jack).
 H ere are so m e ap h o rism s fro m th e p lay :

1. "All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his."

 In this line, W
ilde playfully suggests that women tend to inherit characteristics from

their mothers, posing it as a tragedy, while men supposedly remain unaffected by such

influences.

2. "I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the

train."

 H ere, W ild e u ses h u m o r to co m m en t o n th e id ea o f d iaries an d th e n eed fo r sen satio n al

co n ten t, p o k in g fu n at th e so cietal o b sessio n w ith ap p earan ces.

3. "The truth is rarely pure and never simple."

 ilde' s skepticismabout absolute truths and simplicity. It

This aphorismreflects W

su g g ests th at tru th is o ften co m p lex an d n u an ced .

4. "I am sick to death of cleverness. Everybody is clever nowadays."

 W
ilde satirizes the societal value placed on cleverness, indicating that in a world where everyone is

considered clever, it loses its distinctiveness and significance.

5. "One can always be kind to people about whom one cares nothing."

 W
ilde uses this aphorismto comment on the superficiality of kindness, implying that true kindness is

more meaningful when directed toward those who matter to us.

6. "Divorces are made in Heaven."

 W
ilde uses irony to suggest that the divine is involved in the creation of divorces, highlighting the

absurdity and unpredictability of romantic relationships.

7. "The very essence of romance is uncertainty."

 W
ilde captures the essence of romantic intrigue by suggesting that uncertainty and mystery are

crucial elements in the allure of romance.

8. "I don't play accurately—any one can play accurately—but I play with wonderful expression."

 W
ilde uses this statement to comment on the importance of style and individuality in one' s actions,

even if they may lack precision.

9. "A handbag?"

 This seemingly mundane question, repeated several times in the play, becomes an instant aphorism due

to its ab su rd ity in th e co n tex t o f L ad y B rack n ell's in terro g atio n . It u n d ersco res W ild e's satirical

tak e o n th e triv ialities th at can o ccu p y so cietal co n cern s.

10. "To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness."

 W
ilde infuses humor into the concept

 of losing parents, suggesting that losing both may be perceived as a lack of attention or

care.

These aphorisms showcase Wilde's talent for blending humor with profound observations, making "The Importance

of Being Earnest" not only a satirical masterpiece but also a source of timeless wit and wisdom.

Similarities:
 Algernon and Jack are hedonists. They love seeking pleasure,
and they self-indulge with food and drink. They are also amoral
and self-serving. It is no coincidence that they get along so well.

 Both men tend to be over-eaters, which is part of their

hedonism. Notice that they eat the food that was prepared for
 Gwendolen and Lady Bracknell at the start of the play, and then
they partake from the cake, bread, and butter that Gwendolen
and Cecily were consuming at tea, prior to their epic, blowout
argument.

 Clearly, they are also deceivers who lead double lives. Algernon
calls his wanderings "Bunburying." His scheme is to tell people
that he will visit a made-up "ill" friend named Bunbury. He does
this in order to escape from the city and go to the country to do
whatever he wants.

 Similarly, Jack Worthing introduces himself as "Ernest" when he

is in the city having fun and seeking pleasure. When he is back
in the country, taking care of his niece and having to do serious
things, he goes by his actual name, Jack.

Differences:
 While Algernon and Jack have an overall shallow view of all
things, the key difference is how they view marriage. Jack wants
to marry; Algernon does not believe in the concept.

ALGERNON: [....] if you ever get married, which seems to me extremely

problematic, you will be very glad to know Bunbury. A man who marries
without knowing Bunbury has a very tedious time of it.
Jack: That is nonsense. If I marry a charming girl like Gwendolen, and she is
the only girl I ever saw in my life that I would marry, I certainly won't want
to know Bunbury.
Algernon: Then your wife will. [...]
 Jack is very much into Gwendolen,and he wants to make
everything possible to propose and marry her.

 Another difference is that Algernon has a family name and

"class," thanks to his aunt, Lady Bracknell, but he clearly lives
among his means and does not pay his debts. In turn, Jack
(Ernest) lacks a family name, or any sort of class distinction, but
is obviously better off financially than Algernon.

 In all, Jack is slightly more mature than Algernon when it comes

to love and courtship. He is also better off financially and,
lacking the family name that is so important for Victorians, he
works hard to get Gwendolen. Algernon is more apprehensive
about love and courtship, does not pay his debts, and seems to
be perhaps more hedonistic than Jack.