The Importance of Being Earnest

John Worthing

Also known as Jack · Ernest Worthing · Mr. Ernest Worthing · Uncle Jack · Mr. Worthing · Brother John

A country gentleman and Cecily Cardew’s guardian, adopted as a child by Thomas Cardew after being found in a handbag. He was born the elder son of Mrs. Moncrieff and christened Ernest after his father; he uses “Ernest” in town and “Jack” in the country, and is engaged to Gwendolen Fairfax.

Algernon Moncrieff

Also known as Algy

Jack’s friend, Lady Bracknell’s nephew, and Jack’s younger brother. He invents the permanently ill Bunbury as an excuse to escape social obligations and is engaged to Cecily.

Rev. Canon Chasuble

Also known as Dr. Chasuble · the Rector

The local clergyman, who is fond of Miss Prism and agrees to christen Jack and Algernon.

Merriman

Butler at the Manor House, who announces visitors and attends to the household.

Lane

Algernon’s manservant. He says he was once married after a misunderstanding with a young person.

Lady Bracknell

Also known as Aunt Augusta · Augusta

Algernon’s aunt and Gwendolen’s mother. She is also the sister of Mrs. Moncrieff and reveals that Jack is Mrs. Moncrieff’s elder son.

Gwendolen Fairfax

Also known as Miss Fairfax

Lady Bracknell’s daughter and Jack’s fiancée. She is determined to marry someone named Ernest.

Cecily Cardew

Also known as little Cecily · Miss Cardew

Thomas Cardew’s granddaughter and Jack’s ward, living at the Manor House under Miss Prism’s care. She is engaged to Algernon.

Miss Prism

Also known as Lætitia Prism

Cecily’s governess, who teaches her and is in love with Dr. Chasuble. Twenty-eight years earlier, while caring for a baby boy, she accidentally placed him in a handbag and left it at Victoria station; that child was Jack.

Lord Shoreman

Also known as Lord Shoreman

A lord mentioned as having dined with Algernon and Mr. Worthing; he does not appear in the passage.

Thomas Cardew

Also known as Old Mr. Thomas Cardew · Mr. Cardew

A charitable older man who found and adopted Jack, named him Worthing, and made him Cecily’s guardian in his will.

Cecily’s mother

Cecily’s deceased mother, mentioned as having no surviving family relations; she does not appear in the passage.

Cecily’s father

Cecily’s deceased father, mentioned as having no surviving family relations; he does not appear in the passage.

Ernest Worthing

Also known as Jack’s younger brother · the profligate Ernest

The supposedly wicked younger brother Jack invents as an excuse to visit London. The name becomes Jack’s own after he is revealed to be christened Ernest; Algernon had also adopted it when visiting Cecily.

Bunbury

Also known as Mr. Bunbury · Algernon’s invalid friend

An invented invalid whom Algernon uses as an excuse to avoid social engagements; Algernon presents him as a real friend.

Mary Farquhar

A woman Lady Bracknell plans to seat beside Algernon at dinner; Algernon says she flirts with her husband across the table. She does not appear in the passage.

Lord Bracknell

Also known as Gwendolen’s father · papa

Lady Bracknell’s husband and Gwendolen’s father. His health is said to be poor; he does not appear in the passage.

Lady Harbury

A society woman Lady Bracknell recently visited after her husband’s death. She is said to look much younger since his death.

Lady Harbury’s husband

Lady Harbury’s deceased husband, mentioned but not otherwise identified; he does not appear in the passage.

Lady Bracknell’s uncle

Also known as Gwendolen’s uncle

An unnamed relative of Lady Bracknell whose ailment she says has not improved; he does not appear in the passage.

Lady Bloxham

An older woman who rents Jack’s house in Belgrave Square; she is said to go out very little and does not appear in the passage.

Duchess of Bolton

Also known as the dear Duchess of Bolton

A duchess whose list of eligible young men Lady Bracknell says she shares; she does not appear in the passage.

Gerald

Also known as Gwendolen’s brother

Gwendolen’s brother, mentioned as someone who proposes to women for practice; he does not appear in the passage.

Moulton

A person Miss Prism says ought to water the flowers, apparently a household worker at the Manor House; does not appear in the passage.

Jenkins

Also known as Jenkins the carter · Poor Jenkins

A hardworking carter on Jack’s estate, whose twins Dr. Chasuble is to christen; he does not appear in the passage.

Jenkins’s twins

Also known as the twins

The two infants of Jenkins the carter, mentioned as being due to be christened by Dr. Chasuble; they do not appear in the passage.

The Bishop

A bishop who heard Dr. Chasuble preach a charity sermon and was impressed by its analogies; he does not appear in the passage.

Lane’s former spouse

Also known as the young person

An unnamed young person whose misunderstanding with Lane led to their marriage; does not appear in the passage.

The footman

An unnamed servant who attends Merriman while he serves tea at the Manor House.

Mrs. Moncrieff

Also known as Jack and Algernon’s mother

Lady Bracknell’s sister and the mother of Jack and Algernon. She does not appear in the passage.

The General

Also known as Jack and Algernon’s father · Ernest John

The late father of Jack and Algernon, a General whose first names were Ernest John. Jack was christened Ernest after him.

Gwendolen’s maid

Also known as the trusty maid

An unnamed maid who tells Lady Bracknell that Gwendolen has fled, enabling her mother to follow her; she does not appear.

Lady Lancing

Also known as young Lady Lancing

A society woman to whom Lady Bracknell once recommended a French maid; she does not appear.

Lady Lancing’s husband

Lady Lancing’s husband, mentioned as not recognizing his wife after her makeover; he does not appear.

Lady Dumbleton

A society woman Lady Bracknell cites as having remained thirty-five for years; she does not appear.

The pew-opener

An unnamed church worker who tells Dr. Chasuble that Miss Prism has been waiting in the vestry; does not appear.