Act One Summary:
- The setting begins at Algernons apartment in London.
- Algernon is having a visit from his aunt Lady Bracknell and her daughter Gwendolen.
- Algernon's friend Jack Worhting arrives at his house.
- Algernon and his butler Lane both think that Jack's real name is Earnest.
- Jack tells Algernon and Lane he just got back from his country estate.
- Algernon tells Jack that Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen are coming.
- Jack tells Algernon that he plans to propose to Gwendolen when she arrives.
- Algernon tells Jack that he'll never marry Gwendolen because they don't mesh.
- Algernon says that since he's Gwendolens cousin, he won't allow Jack to marry Gwendolen either. Unless he can tell him who Cecily is.
- Algernon Takes out a Cigar case with an inscription from Cecily to uncle Jack.
- Jack answers Algernon but he doesn't believe him.
- Evenso, Algernon asks jack why it is to Jack because he thought Jack was Earnest.
- Jack breaks down and tells Algernon that he has an alter ego. When he is in the city he is Earnest, when he is in the country he is Jack.
- Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen get to Algernons apartment.
- Algernon tells Lady Bracknell that he can't eat with her because he has a friend in the country (Burnbury), who is very sick.
- So Jack can propose to Gwendolen, Algernon and Lady Bracknell Leave the room.
- Jack tells Gwendolen that he loves her and she says ditto.
- Gwendolen says that she loves him because of his name, Earnest.
- Jack proposes and she accepts.
- Lady Bracknell enters the room and dissaproves of the engagement.
- She asks Jack a bunch of questions and then asks about his parents and where he was born.
- Jack says that he lost both of his parents and he was found in a hand bag at a train station.
- Lady Bracknell once again disaproves and says that the marriage cannot take place.
- Jack and Gwendolen go their own ways until next time.
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