Jack alias Earnest

Is it true that being Ernest is better than being Jack? This question emerges in mind when I read the play titled The Important of Being Earnest. Even though name is important, for me, it does not matter to be anyone. Some people say that names represent our personalities. Maybe it is true but not hundred percent true. For example, we can’t say someone who named as Jack has no uniqueness in himself. Everyone has their own qualities in themselves.

I find that the play is funny. It really amuses me. The play is about mistaken of identity. It starts with Jack who pretends to be another man called Ernest and then follows by Algernon who also try to be Ernest. The story is simple and nice. It is enjoyable to read.

In the play, Jack has pretended to be Ernest. He pretends to be Ernest just for Gwendolen, a high status girl. For her, being Ernest is better that being anyone else. In fact, she thinks that man named as Ernest has better qualities than other men. That’s why Jack wants to be Ernest so then he can reach the status where Gwendolen be.

Unfortunately, Algernon, Jack’s friend notices about his disguise and tries to reveal the truth to Gwendolen. He forces Jack to speak the truth why he pretends to be Ernest. Jack explains about it by saying that he desires to have a brother and then he creates a man named Ernest. So then, he plays Ernest’s part in front of Gwendolen and he becomes Jack in front of his friends and Cecily, a girl that he looks after. Cecily calls him Uncle Jack. Algernon suspects Jack has an affair with Cecily after Algernon found the lighter that got Cecily’s name on it. Then, Algernon goes to Jack’s mansion to investigate about Jack and when he arrives there, he meets Cecily. He falls in love with her.

Then, Algernon goes to Jack house by pretending to be Jack’s brother, Ernest. Then, Jack comes back from meeting Gwendolen in London. He shocks when he sees Algernon in his house with his new name, Ernest. It amuses me when Jack comes back in mourning suit. He plans to banish his imaginative brother by telling to Cecily that Ernest has passed away. His plan fails. The two men argue about being Ernest. It is funny for me. What’s so special being Ernest?

Another part that amuses me a lot is when Gwendolen meets Cecily. She thinks Cecily seduces Jack or Ernest. Then, Cecily also the same way too by saying that Gwendolen is trying to steal Ernest from her. Because of their jealousy, they become cynical and treat each other pretentiously.

Cecily: [Severely.] Cake or bread and butter?
Gwendolen: [In a bored manner.] Bread and butter, please. Cake is rarely seen at
the best houses nowadays.
Cecily: [Cuts a very large slice of cake, and puts it on the tray.] Hand that to
Miss Fairfax.

It is so funny. Cecily and Gwendolen try to against each other by using their manners to show their own status. They fight for the wrong guy. They don’t know that they are actually fighting for different guys. Who is deserved to be blamed, Jack, Algernon, or Ernest? So, in this play, I find that the Oscar Wilde raises the issues of name and status. So then, let us think whether name is really important? Is it really important to be Ernest? Is it impressive to be in higher status? Personally I think, we are free to be anyone we want to be. We better think about it.