Act+3

Gwendolen and Cecily finds out that Jack and Algernon had lied about who they are (their identity) however both women seem to be more than eager to forgive them. Algernon claims he had pretended to be Cecily’s guardian in order to meet her, whilst Gwendolen is made to believe that Jack had pretended to have a brother so that he can visit town to see her as much as possible. Both women admits that the fact that these men’s names is not Earnest, is still a barrier however these worries and doubts are cast away as Jack and Algernon tells Gwendolen and Cecily that they are to be christened this afternoon to change their name. The women forgive them and are pleased.  Lady Bracknell arrives and is informed that Gwendolen is to be engaged with Jack and Algernon with Cecily. Algernon continues deceiving Lady Bracknell telling her that Bunbury had died. Although Lady Bracknell does not approve of Gwendolen’s engagement with Jack, she is more than happy with Algernon marrying Cecily as she learns that Cecily is from a very good family with good fortune. Jack interrupts and says that he does not give consent to Cecily and Algernon’s engagement and that Cecily, whom is Jack’s ward, cannot marry without his approval. Jack reveals that he suspects Algernon of being an untruthful character and tells of Algernon’s uninvited admission to his house be means of false pretence of being his brother. Jack tells Lady Bracknell that according to the terms of Cecily’s grandfather’s will, she does not come legally of age until she is 35. Lady Bracknell begs Jack to reconsider his decision. Jack replies that he will only allow this engagement if Lady Bracknell approves of his engagement to Gwendolen but Lady Bracknall responds that this is not the destiny she proposed for Gwendolen whilst Algernon, on the other hand, can choose for himself.  Chasuble enters however no christening takes place as Lady Bracknell disapproves of Algernon getting baptized. Lady Bracknell and Miss Prism meets. Lady Bracknell asks Miss Prism where the baby boy she was supposed to have taken for a walk 28 years ago is. She explains that the baby carriage was found some weeks later however only a manuscript of a three-volume novel was found inside whereas the baby was gone. Miss Prism replies that she does not know what happened to that baby because she had confusedly placed the manuscript inside the carriage and the baby inside the handbag.  Jack comes back from his room and presents everyone with that handbag. It turns out that Jack was that baby and the son of Lady Bracknell’s poor sister, Mrs. Moncrieff, thus consequently he is the elder brother of Algernon. Lady Bracknell then tells Jack that he had already been christened and since he was the oldest son, he was named after his father’s Christian name which was Earnest.