The Importance of Being Earnest :: Comedy Irony Papers

The Importance of Being EarnestALGERNON. You have always told me it was Ernest. I have introduced you to every one as Ernest. You answer to the name of Ernest. You look as if your name was Ernest. You are the most earnest-looking person I ever saw in my life. It is perfectly absurd your state that your name isnt Ernest. Its on your cards. hither is one of them. Taking it from case. Mr. Ernest Worthing, B. 4, The Alb either. Ill keep this as a proof that your name is Ernest if ever you attempt to deny it to me, or to Gwendolen, or to any one else. Puts the card in his pocket.JACK. Well, my name is Ernest in town and Jack in the country, and the cigarette case was given to me in the country. ALGERNON. Yes, but that does non floor for the particular that your small Aunt Cecily, who lives at Tunbridge Wells, calls you her dear uncle. Come, old boy, you had much better have the thing out at once.JACK. My dear Algy, you talk precisely as if you were a dentist. It is very vulgar to tal k like a dentist when one isnt a dentist. It produces a false impression.ALGERNON. Well, that is exactly what dentists always do. Now, go on Tell me the whole thing. I may mention that I have always suspected you of being a confirmed and secret Bunburyist and I am quite sure of it now.JACK. Bunburyist? What on earth do you mean by a Bunburyist?ALGERNON. Ill reveal to you the meaning of that incomparable expression as presently as you are kind enough to inform me why you are Ernest in town and Jack in the country.JACK. Well, produce my cigarette case first.ALGERNON. Here it is. Hands cigarette case. Now produce your explanation, and pray make it improbable. Sits on sofa.JACK. My dear fellow, there is nobody improbable about my explanation at all. In fact its perfectly ordinary. Old Mr. Thomas Cardew, who adopted me when I was a little boy, made me in his will guardian to his grand-daughter, Miss Cecily Cardew. Cecily, who addresses me as her uncle from motives of respect that you c ould not possibly appreciate, lives at my place in the country under the charge of her admirable governess, Miss Prism.ALGERNON. Where in that place in the country, by the way?JACK. That is nothing to you, dear boy.