Madi Beumee

Playing Comedy

6 September 2018

The Importance of Being Ernest Scene Analysis

1. Given Circumstances: What do we know?

The play is taking place in the 1890s and therefore imposes a certain extent of
physical qualities of movement and character behaviors that were deemed
appropriate during this time period.
Gwendolen is daughter of Lord and Lady Bracknell (Aunt Augusta). Algernon
and Gwendolen are cousins. Algernon’s close friend Jack is in love with
Gwendolen, he has proposed to her earlier on in the play.
Jack is known as Jack in the country and Ernest in the city. Along those lines, he
also has a ward (Cecily), in the country, that Gwendolen does not know about.
2. Questions/Curiosities/Research: What don’t we know that we need to find out? For
example: missing information, unfamiliar words, unfamiliar references, etc.
• sphere: an area of activity, interest, or expertise; a section of society or an
aspect of life distinguished and unified by a particular characteristic.
• effeminate: (of a man) having or showing characteristics regarded as typical
of a woman; unmanly.
• short-sighted: lacking imagination or foresight.
• ward: a person, usually a minor, under the care and control of a guardian
appointed by their parents or a court.
• entrapped: trick or deceive (someone).
• presumptuous: (of a person or their behavior) failing to observe the limits of
what is permitted or appropriate.
• The dress of this period caused a certain level of discomfort for the women.
They would traditionally be wearing a corset and/or bustle, which would
therefore result in a specific way of carry themselves (both seating and
standing).
3. Character description: Who’s who and what do they want – (succinct summary)
Gwendolen Bracknell. Daughter of Lord and Lady Bracknell. She is very uppity
and very much serves as a representation of the model of a “Victorian woman” of
that time (especially because she is obsessed with marrying someone with the
name of Ernest). She lives in the city and comes from a more traditional family,
lots of sophistication, etc. Similar to her mother (the apple doesn’t fall far from
the tree).
Ø She wants to assert dominance in the scene.
Cecily Cardew: Jack’s ward. Taught by Miss Prism. “A pink rose” – Algernon. 18
years old. Less strict and sophisticated upbringing. No mother figure (Miss
Prism?), but has a guardian.
Ø She wants to pass Gwendolen’s test.
4. What’s at stake in this scene for each character?
Gwendolen’s appearance and status to Cecily is at stake in this scene. Being the
woman that she is and how she was raised, her perception and how other’s receive
her is a crucial element of her being.
5. What are the actor challenges?
The actor is faced with using the words as the main method of “attack”. Due to
the nature and poise the women were required to carry at this time, flat out
“attacking” another woman would be deemed inappropriate. Therefore, during
this scene when Gwendolen realizes/is under the false impression that Cecily is
engaged to her Ernest (Jack), she cannot overreact and get overly emotional,
instead she has to keep her composure and use her words to put Cecily down/get
her intention.
6. What’s just happened prior to this scene?
Algernon has proposed to Cecily, under the name of Ernest (claiming to be Jack’s
brother – whom Cecily has already had a “crush” on for quite some time). Which
is also the name that Jack goes by to Gwendolyn. Both women have expressed
their desire to date and marry someone with the name of Ernest. After Jack’s
proposal to Gwendolen, she has just followed Jack (“Ernest”) to the country and
this scene happens upon her arrival.
7. Why is this scene in the play?

I think this scene is in the play to serve as the climatic “blowup” in the play. Up
until this point, the two men (Jack and Algernon) have been able to lie about their
alter-egos and have pretty much gotten away with it. This scene could also be
described as “disturbing the status quo”. Without this scene there would really be
no true conflict and Jack and Algernon would not be required to face the
consequences of their actions.

8. What’s funny about this scene – what’s the comic potential?

The scene has a lot of comic potential, due to the nature of the two girls’
discussion. Their conversation is rather vapid in nature, but the two women
discuss the topic with an incredible sense of urgency and importance.