Act+1

An Overview of the Act 1:
The Act opens in the flat of Algernon Moncrieff, his flat is in the rich area known as the West End. The scene opens with Algernon playing the piano while his servant prepares cucumber sandwiches. Algernon is awaiting the arrival of Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen (his aunt and her daughter). Jack happens to turn up first, who is known as Ernest to Algernon. The purpose of Jack's visit was to propose to Gwendolen, but Algernon shows his resentment to the idea. Algernon does not like the idea of "Ernest" marrying Gwendolen as he is doubtful of "Ernest's" sincerity as he possesses a cigarette box inscribed by another woman. Furthermore, Algernon's views on marriage are also very cynical.

The rest of the scene is primarily the confessions of both characters and their alternate identities. When questioned about the cigarette box, Jack lies and says that it is from his Aunt Cecily who then turns out to be his ward. Algernon forced this information from Ernest because Algernon doubted Ernest's first lie. Ernest then explains his dual identity, saying that he is known as Jack Worthing in the countryside and Ernest in the city.

Similarly, Algernon confesses the truth and says that he has an imaginary friend known as Bunbury in the countryside who Algernon "visits" to escape the city once in a while. This common point in both their lives leads them to speculate about the proposal. In the end, the devise a plan to distract Lady Bracknell so that "Ernest" can propose to Gwedolen.