The play opens in Algernon’s home where Ernest, his best friend comes back from the country to visit him. Algernon returns Ernest’s lost cigarette case. That is when Algernon learns that Ernest is not the true name of his friend, instead his name is John (also referred to as Jack).Algernon finds this out by the inscription on the inside of the case. It is from Jacks ward Cecily, who Algernon is curious to meeting. Jack explains that he made up a brother name Ernest who lives in London so he can leave the countryside whenever he pleases. While Jack is in the city, he is known as Ernest. Algernon admits to also making up a character called Bunberry, who is a friend of his that is always sick. He uses this character to escape going to events with Lady Bracknell.
Jack reveals the reason that he has come to London on this occasion was to propose to Gwendolen, who is Algernon’c cousin and Lady Bracknells daughter. When Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen arrive to Algernons home, Jack and Gwendolen converse about his name, which she knows as Ernest. She only sees herself marrying someone named Ernest and that is why she accepts his proposal. Jack decides that he needs to return to the country soon so he can be christened by that name. Lady Bracknell hears word of the engagement and interviews Jack to see if he is a decent candidate for her daughter to marry.. Lady Bracknell is tedious and judgmental in her interview with Jack. He reveals that he has no parents and was adopted Algernon eavesdrops on a conversation Jack has about where his residence is in the country and decides to visit Cecily.
Act two opens with Cecily and Miss Prism going over her lessons. Miss Prism decides to go on a walk with Dr. Chasuable, who she has romantic feelings for and leaves Cecily to herself. Cecily meets Algernon, and he introduces himself as Ernest, Jacks younger brother. He proposes to her and she tells him that they have already been engaged for 3 months. When he questions her about this he admits that she was in love with him the minute she heard his name was Ernest. Jack arrives and tells Algernon that he needs to leave. Gwendolen suddenly arrives and meets Cecily. The seem to have a great friendship starting until Cecily reveals that she is engaged to Ernest. Gwendolen is furious and believes that it is not true because she and Ernest were engaged prior to Cecily.
The identities of Jack and Algernon are revealed to the women when the men go to hug the women. The women immediately become friends again and are furious at the men. Lady Bracknell arrives to get Gwendolen and sees Miss Prism and questions her about the baby that she lost. Miss Prism admits to making a mistake in the past by leaving the baby at the train station. This child was revealed to be Jack. In order to find his true birth name he looks through old army records for the name of his father that he was named after. Jack learns that his true birth name was in fact Ernest.
Plot Summary
Jack Worthing, who lives in the country, pretends to have a younger brother, Ernest, whose escapades frequently call Jack to London. Algernon Moncrieff pretends to have an invalid friend, "Bunbury," whose attacks call Algernon into the country whenever there is a distasteful social function in prospect. This activity Algernon refers to as "Bunburying."
Jack has managed to hide from Algernon the location of his country place and the existence of an attractive ward, Cecily Cardew. In Algernon's bachelor flat at the tea hour, Jack confesses he has come to town to propose to Algernon's cousin, Gwendolyn, who knows him as "Ernest." Algernon refuses his help unless Jack explains the inscription on his cigarette case which Algernon has found. Thus Cecily's existence is revealed, but Jack stubbornly refuses to reveal her whereabouts.
Gwendolyn accepts Jack, confessing she has always felt that a man named "Ernest" was her fate. During a subsequent catechism by Gwendolyn's mother, Lady Bracknell, Jack gives his country address which Algernon takes down with the intention of going "Bunburying" during Jack's absence from home. When Lady Bracknell learns that Jack's identity dates from the discovery of a baby in a large black handbag in Victoria station she refuses to consent for the marriage.
Cecily, alone in the country with her governess, Miss Prism, is agreeably surprised at the appearance of Algernon in the guise of the much-discussed "Ernest." The young couple lose no time in becoming engaged for, Cecily admits, the name "Ernest" has always fascinated her. When Jack returns unexpectedly to announce "Ernest's" sudden death in Paris, he is disagreeably surprised to learn that "Ernest" is at the very moment in the house.
While Jack and Algernon are separately arranging with the rector for a rechristening, Gwendolyn arrives. The discovery of Gwendolyn and Cecily that they both seem to be engaged to "Ernest Worthing" results in a strained situation. The appearance of both young men clarifies the matter of engagements, but also reveals that neither is named "Ernest." When the girls learn that their fiancés had been about to be rechristened for their sakes, they forgive the deception.
With the arrival of Lady Bracknell the question of consent again comes up. Lady Bracknell is quite willing that Algernon shall marry Cecily and her fortune. Jack, however, as Cecily's guardian, refuses his consent unless Lady Bracknell permits his marriage to Gwendolyn. The appearance of Miss Prism who is recognized by Lady Bracknell, results in the identification of Jack Worthing as Algernon's lost elder brother, Ernest, thus settling matters to everyone's satisfaction.
http://www.theatrehistory.com/irish/importance_of_being_earnest.html
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