The Importance of Being Earnest

Set against the backdrop of late Victorian London, this farcical comedy explores themes of identity and social obligation through its protagonists, Algernon and Jack, who adopt fictitious personas to evade societal expectations. The narrative begins with Jack's visit to propose to Gwendolen but quickly reveals his secret life, highlighted by a mysterious cigarette case. The play humorously critiques serious institutions like marriage, showcasing the absurdity of social conventions and the lengths to which characters go to maintain their deceptions.