The Importance of Being Earnest – Oscar Wilde Act 2

 

This Act commences in the garden of the Manor House, Woolton, Hertfordshire. The garden is full of roses and there are basket chairs and a table. Cecily Cardew is watering the flowers but her governess Miss Prism chides her to stop gardening and start reading her German lessons. She reminds her that her guardian Jack has instructed her to read German lessons sincerely. Jack is a brilliant and sincere man and his instructions are to be followed meticulously. But, he is anxious of his younger brother reckless Ernest. Because of Ernest’s recklessness Jack has kept him away from the Manor House. Cecily thinks that if Jack brings Ernest to live with them she and Miss Prism may be able to influence and reform him. Miss Prism’s experience and wisdom may bring in some desirable changes in Ernest. Miss Prism does not approve of the idea. Cecily has the practice of writing diary and recording the important moments of her life in it. Miss Prism advises her to give up diary writing and record such moments in her memory. She regrets that she once wrote a novel in three volumes but lost the manuscript. Actually, Miss Prism has a very poor memory. 

Dr. Chasuble, the parish-priest, comes there and Miss Prism welcomes him warmly. Miss Prism has a mild headache and she goes out for a walk with the Rector. Cecily starts reading political economy. Merriman, Jack’s butler, brings Cecily a visiting card with the inscription ‘Mr. Ernest Worthing, B.4, The Albany, W’. He usurps in Algernon Moncrieff who has assumed the name Ernest Worthing and has come there pretending to be the depraved younger brother of Jack. He playfully greets Cecily as his little cousin. She is amazed to see Jack’s irresponsible brother. He assures her that he has never been notorious or wicket but has merely been reckless and irresponsible. Jack will return home on Monday. Algernon regrets that he will not stay back to meet his elder brother as he will have to leave immediately. Cecily implores him to stay back and meet his brother. Algernon likes to stay at the Manor House so that Cecily can reform him. He pleases Cecily by calling her a pink rose. They move into the house. They are attracted to each other. Miss Prism and Dr. Chasuble return from the walk. She urges him to get married soon. Otherwise, many women will keep dreaming of marrying him. Obviously, they are in love. 

Jack enters the garden and he is in full mourning dress. He appears very gloomy and declares that he is very sad over the sudden death of his younger brother. Ernest has died of severe chillness in Paris and according to his wish he was interred there. Dr Chasuble consoles Jack and assures him to allude to the death of his brother in his next sermon. Jack pretends to be convinced and requests him whether he can rechristen him as Ernest. Instead of Jack Worthing, he wants to have the name Ernest Worthing. The Rector assures him to rechristen him and they will hold the ceremony at 5.30.  Cecily comes to the garden and tells him of the arrival of his younger brother Ernest. Jack is shocked and the others are perplexed over the survival of a dead man. Algernon appears in the garden and apologizes for his wrongful life. Jack refuses to forgive and welcome him. Cecily is surprised to see that her gentle Uncle Jack is very rude with his younger brother. She manages to bring in compromise between the brothers. Cecily also has a passion for the name Ernest and so Algernon decides to rechristen himself and leaves the house. He has actually introduced himself to Cecily as Ernest Worthing. Moreover, Cecily does not like the name Algernon and considers it unattractive. There are chances that she will reject him if she learns of his real name.    

Gwendolen comes to the Manor House in search of Jack| Ernest and Cecily receives her very well. However, confusion soon arises. Gwendolen claims that she is engaged to marry Ernest Worthing. She actually means Jack. Cecily is surprised because Algernon\Ernest Worthing has just proposed to her. She does not know that Algernon has just taken the false name of Ernest Worthing. Gwendolen does not know that her lover Ernest Worthing is actually Jack Worthing. There is a cold war between the two women. Soon, Jack enters and all his secrets are revealed. When Algernon comes in his secrets are out of the bag. The two women are disappointed over the fake identities of Jack and Algernon and leave the house. The two men are helpless.