The Importance of Being Earnest-A Trivial Comedy for Serious People - Softcover

"The Importance of Being Earnest," Oscar Wilde's madcap farce about mistaken identities, secret engagements, and lovers' entanglements, still delights readers more than a century after its 1895 publication and premiere performance. The rapid-fire wit and eccentric characters of The Importance of Being Earnest have made it a mainstay of the high school curriculum for decades. In "The Importance of Being Earnest," Cecily Cardew and Gwendolen Fairfax are both in love with the same mythical suitor. Jack Worthing has wooed Gewndolen as Ernest while Algernon has also posed as Ernest to win the heart of Jack's ward, Cecily. When all four arrive at Jack's country home on the same weekend in "The Importance of Being Earnest," the rivals to fight for Ernest's undivided attention and the Ernests to claim their beloved's pandemonium breaks loose. Only a senile nursemaid and an old, discarded hand-bag can save the day!

Oscar Wilde ( 1854–1900) was an Irish playwright, poet and author of numerous short stories and one novel. Known for his biting wit, he became one of the most successful playwrights of the late Victorian era in London, and one of the greatest "celebrities" of his day. Several of his plays continue to be widely performed, especially The Importance of Being Earnest.