Important to be earnest, not Earnest

            One aspect of the film “The Importance of Being Earnest” that really stood out to me was the amount of lying that they did in an attempt to gain the favor of the women they fancy.  Both men in the movie tell these women that their name is Earnest.  In this movie this is not necessarily the name itself that is important, but what the meaning of the name bears with it.  Jack Worthing presents his name as Earnest because the Ms. Fairfax believes the name Earnest to be more than just a name, but that the person that bears the name will in some way be the perfect person for her to marry. 

            In addition to lying in order to gain the favor of women, both Algernon and Jack lie to get out of situations. Jack would lie and say that his brother Earnest lived a life that is frowned upon and so that he must leave to be with Earnest in order to attempt to set him straight.  Jack would do this in order to go into the city to see Ms. Fairfax where he would tell her that his name was Earnest.  Earnest is only an extension of Jack so that Jack does not have to conform to the societal expectations that Jack has.  He lives as Earnest to live in a way where Jack will not bare the consequences, but it will be taken down as another of Earnest’s short comings.

Algernon would tell a similar lie stating that his good friend Bunbury was ill and needed his attention right away.  He would tell this lie mainly as an escape from outings and events with his aunt.  It is at this point in the movie that Algernon meets Cicily and he tells her that his name is Earnest so that he can appear as Jack’s brother.  His timing of this is terrible as this was the exact moment that Jack returned with an urn said to contain the ashes of the recently deceased Earnest.  I also found it curious that Jack attempted to kill off Earnest in order to put to rest that kind of lifestyle.  The death to Earnest in this portion, relates to a death to that side of Jack.

As the web of lies for both Jack and Algernon grow, so does their attraction to the girls who of course eventually discover the truth that neither of them are “Earnest”.  As the men attempt to win back the favor of the ladies, they are asked to state their intentions for lying to women.  Algernon gives an answer that, let’s face it, is not the best answer.  However, Cicily is eager to eat up and believe this answer.  As it is Jack’s turn to answer the question, he gives no answer at all!  Ms. Fairfax must state the answer for him.  Immediately after, in private conference with Cicily, Ms. Fairfax states that she found his answer more than satisfactory.  I found this part of the movie very interesting and funny at the same time. I look forward to any discussion of the scene.