• Overview. When he defends the church's stand on celibacy, Miss Prism explains that remaining single is actually more of a temptation to women. The two main characters of The Importance of Being Earnest, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, lead a double life due to the . Cecilys diary is a sort of Here are links to our lists for the play: Act I, Act II, Act III. earnest man is sincere and serious. This time period was marked by very strict morals and societal expectations. When Algernon travels to the country for just a few short days, he brings "three portmanteaus, a dressing-case, two hat boxes, and a large luncheon-basket." Miss Prism must earn her living as a governess, and she too is a servant of the wealthy. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. But where did you deposit the hand-bag? But in Act 2, Part 1, Cecily turns this assumption on its head byencouraging and even returningAlgernon's flirtatious advances: Cecily: Miss Prism says all good looks are a snare. Chasuble's allusion suggests that Miss Prism fulfills a similar role: a virginal spinster on one hand, the object of Chasuble's lust on the other. insulting each other quite steadily for some time, but Cecilys Like Jack, the audience expects that Algernon will end upseducing (or indeed, "deflowering")the young, naive Cecily. Jack realizes that, despite his efforts, his whole life has been truthful; He used many literary devices to mock the era including irony, metaphors, symbols, and allusions. I insist on knowing where you deposited the hand-bag that contained that infant. She is responsible for in fact the character Jack/Ernest is deceitful and dishonest. joke, in which Algernon, without realizing it, steadily devours Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. What does" bunburying" mean in "The Importance of Being Earnest"? found in Victoria Station as an infant. This is a verse from the Bible, Galatians 6:7, meaning that actions determine fate. effrontery unashamed boldness. " October ", " November ", " December ") Climax: By presenting these vignettes subtle, carefully constructed literary sketches within the context of a farce, Wilde pokes fun at the Victorian concept that everyone has his duty, and each knows his place. See in text(Act II). "To woo your lady. But supposing it was something else? However, when Dr. Chasuble arrives and mentions Miss Prism, Lady Bracknell is shocked to hear the name Prism. Similarly, Miss Prism chastises Cecily for watering flowers a servant's job. Continue to start your free trial. What is the climax of "The Importance of Being Earnest"? You'll also receive an email with the link. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. Ernest inspires one to believe a person may be trustworthy and honest, He arrived half an hour ago.