From reading act 1 scene 1, it is reverently clear that Algernon has the higher status and is the dominant speaker in the conversation. In this conversation, declaration and interrogation is you used, by Algernon question Jack Worthing you understand why Earnest is made up and who Earnest it's about. Algernon calls Jack a 'bunburyist' someone who leads a double life in two different places but he's really interested in why Jack is Earnest in town and Jack in the country. Jack is a very respectable man, he's adopted Cecily Cardew and she looks up to him as an uncle, however Jack has created Earnest who's suppose to be his brother. Jack has described his brother to get into the most dreadful scrapes.

Alergnon and Johns conversation over dinner

Algernon and Jack are at the dinner table eating their dinner whilst drinking glasses of wine.

Algernon: I must say Jack this Fish is amazing the taste is to die for!
Jack : hmm yes, it is certainly cooked to perfection
Algernon: Wheres that butler of yours? (shouts) Lane! Lane
Lane: Yes sir, you called?
Algernon: Bring me in another bottle of wine please!
Lane: Yes Sir!

(Lane leaves the room)


Jack: Algernon have you seen it in the local paper!
Algernon: No Jack, I haven't read todays paper!.
Jack: Oh, well in the little village there thinking of opening a new bakery.
Algernon: That would be a nightmare, all little school kids running round the place!
Jack: Hmm yes! You've finished your dinner? Yes! (shouts) Lane!
Lane: Yes SIR!
Jack: Take our dinner, we've finished now!
Algernon: But I'm not...
Jack: Oh that was a lovely evening

(Jack gets up suddenly)

Jack: Is that the time! oh its getting late, I must be getting to bed!
Algernon: Oh um it is rather late Ive outstayed my welcome
Jack: Yes algernon lovely seeing you.

(Sees Algernon to the door )

Lane: Sir I think your friend has forgotten his cigarette case
Jack: Give me that oh how forgetful I shall give it to him next time I see him

Analysis Of Title, Cast List and Act 1 Scene 1

The Importance Of Being Earnest

The novel is set in the Victorian period, where men had a higher status than woman. The title of the novel ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ can suggest many things. As a reader this leaves us intrigued to find out what the play is about, the title of the novel makes us question whether the novel could be about a person. However, Earnest means a name and the importance of being a man, which could be the centre attraction of the play. The author doesn’t give much detail which allows us as reader to explore all possibilities and allow our imaginations to expand.

The cast list of the play has nine main characters with all different statues. Status is very important in the novel because it symbolises what each character is like and how he/she is perceived, throughout the novel from a reader’s perspective you get to acknowledge that all of the characters are linked to one another in some way. The first character introduced to the novel is John Worthing J.P (Jack), his status is reverently high because of his name, John Worthing J.P (Jack), loves Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax and he’s like an uncle to Cecily Cardew in which he has been accused of loving her. The second character mentioned is Algernon Moncrieff his name sounds foreign but his status has yet been perceived, the third character is Lady Bracknell, her status is Aristocracy because she has ‘Lady’ in her name, she’s an auntie to Algernon and is a mother to Gwendolen. The fourth character is Gwendolen Fairfax; at the beginning of the novel it isn’t revealed to the reader that she is Lady Bracknell’s daughter. Her status isn’t portrayed she just seems normal like a plain character with no excitement. The fifth character is Cecily Cardew her status seems quite high because she has been foster by John Worthing J.P (Jack). The sixth character is Miss Prism she is Cecily’s governess, Miss Prism is in love with the priest which is forbidden because of his status. The eighth character is Rev Canon Reverend (D.D), D.D is an abbreviation doctor of divinity which places his role in society. His status is quite high because of him being a priest a lot of people would look up to him and go to him for help.

At the beginning of act 1, Oscar Wild uses language to portray all the different statuses and how they all vary. You see the variation between Algernon and Lane, Algernon gets what he wants because he is more superior to Lane. Lane has a lower status than Algernon and he’s looked down upon because of it.

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