Algernon is a member of the wealthy, upper class and lives in the fashionable part of London. He is younger than Jack, less responsible, witty, carefree and irreverent. He invented an imaginary invalid friend named Bunbury in order to excuse himself from boring obligations. While Jack is still in the city, Algernon makes a visit to the country pretending to be Jack’s brother Ernest in order to meet Cecily. Algernon is the closest character to Oscar Wilde himself who had irreverent attitudes about marriage and an inclination to lead a double life.
John (Jack) Worthing
Jack is a young, eligible bachelor who goes by the name of Ernest in the city so that he can enjoy himself and not worry about hurting his reputation. In the countryside he has responsibilities as a magistrate (a civil officer who conducts court cases). He invented an imaginary brother named Ernest who lives in the city and whom he must visit regularly because he is always getting into trouble. Jack’s parents are a bit of a mystery, but he was raised in the Victorian upper class because of his adopted father’s fortune. When his adopted father died, he was put in charge of the daughter, Cecily Cardew.
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Lane (Algernon’s servant) and Merriman (Jack’s servant)
The servants are aware of everyone’s duplicity, never criticize, but watch the folly of their employers. They announce people and keep the plot moving forward
As Lady Bracknell’s daughter, she was raised in the upper class and believes style to be more important than sincerity. She is submissive to her mother in public, but rebellious in private. She believes that Jack’s name is Ernest and wants to marry him because she likes the name so much. Her character allows Wilde to satirize marriage, courtship and absurdities of life. Although she is not ruthless like Lady Bracknell, she has a strong character and is in control more than the men are.
Lady Bracknell symbolizes the Victorian values that style is more important than substance and wealth more important than education or upbringing. She believes firmly in maintaining advantages for the upper class. She is Algernon’s aunt and Gwendolen’s mother and bullies them both. She is powerful, arrogant, ruthless, conservative and represents Wilde’s opinion of Victorian upper-class as being negative, repressive and powerful. Much of the satire revolves around her character.
As Jack Worthing’s ward, she is tutored by Miss Prism at Jack’s country estate. She is immediately attracted to Algernon who is pretending to be Ernest because she has heard he is a wicked man. She is younger, more sheltered and less sophisticated than Gwendolen, but also strong-willed and in control.
As Cecily’s governess, she is a symbol of Victorian moral righteousness. She is trying to educate Cecily to have no imagination, but it turns out that she had once dreamed of becoming a sensational romantic novelist. She provides Wilde the opportunity to satirize the repressive structure of Victorian society.
The reverend demonstrates the hypocrisy of Victorian religion. He preaches the scriptures (and his sermons are interchangeable for any occasion) and gives religious advice but when his mask slips, he shows a lusty desire for Miss Prism.
Algernon (Algy) Moncrieff
Algernon is a member of the wealthy, upper class and lives in the fashionable part of London. He is younger than Jack, less responsible, witty, carefree and irreverent. He invented an imaginary invalid friend named Bunbury in order to excuse himself from boring obligations. While Jack is still in the city, Algernon makes a visit to the country pretending to be Jack’s brother Ernest in order to meet Cecily. Algernon is the closest character to Oscar Wilde himself who had irreverent attitudes about marriage and an inclination to lead a double life.
John (Jack) Worthing
Jack is a young, eligible bachelor who goes by the name of Ernest in the city so that he can enjoy himself and not worry about hurting his reputation. In the countryside he has responsibilities as a magistrate (a civil officer who conducts court cases). He invented an imaginary brother named Ernest who lives in the city and whom he must visit regularly because he is always getting into trouble. Jack’s parents are a bit of a mystery, but he was raised in the Victorian upper class because of his adopted father’s fortune. When his adopted father died, he was put in charge of the daughter, Cecily Cardew.
Gwendolen Fairfax
As Lady Bracknell’s daughter, she was raised in the upper class and believes style to be more important than sincerity. She is submissive to her mother in public, but rebellious in private. She believes that Jack’s name is Ernest and wants to marry him because she likes the name so much. Her character allows Wilde to satirize marriage, courtship and absurdities of life. Although she is not ruthless like Lady Bracknell, she has a strong character and is in control more than the men are.
As Lady Bracknell’s daughter, she was raised in the upper class and believes style to be more important than sincerity. She is submissive to her mother in public, but rebellious in private. She believes that Jack’s name is Ernest and wants to marry him because she likes the name so much. Her character allows Wilde to satirize marriage, courtship and absurdities of life. Although she is not ruthless like Lady Bracknell, she has a strong character and is in control more than the men are.
Lady Bracknell symbolizes the Victorian values that style is more important than substance and wealth more important than education or upbringing. She believes firmly in maintaining advantages for the upper class. She is Algernon’s aunt and Gwendolen’s mother and bullies them both. She is powerful, arrogant, ruthless, conservative and represents Wilde’s opinion of Victorian upper-class as being negative, repressive and powerful. Much of the satire revolves around her character.
Cecily Cardew
As Jack Worthing’s ward, she is tutored by Miss Prism at Jack’s country estate. She is immediately attracted to Algernon who is pretending to be Ernest because she has heard he is a wicked man. She is younger, more sheltered and less sophisticated than Gwendolen, but also strong-willed and in control.
Miss Prism
As Cecily’s governess, she is a symbol of Victorian moral righteousness. She is trying to educate Cecily to have no imagination, but it turns out that she had once dreamed of becoming a sensational romantic novelist. She provides Wilde the opportunity to satirize the repressive structure of Victorian society.
Reverand Canon Chasuble
The reverend demonstrates the hypocrisy of Victorian religion. He preaches the scriptures (and his sermons are interchangeable for any occasion) and gives religious advice but when his mask slips, he shows a lusty desire for Miss Prism.
Lane (Algernon’s servant) and Merriman (Jack’s servant)
Lane (Algernon’s servant) and Merriman (Jack’s servant)
The servants are aware of everyone’s duplicity, never criticize, but watch the folly of their employers. They announce people and keep the plot moving forward
