"Earnest" LRJ #1 (Act I)

Ian Decker
Ms. Johnson
10 IB/ Per. 5
5/9/09

In the book, "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde, the character Algernon is particularly uninterested in marriage, "If ever I get married, I'll certainly try to forget the fact" (Pg. 118). This particular fact helps to reflect on Algernon's character by saying that he does not want to be married in the least bit. This could also be inferred from this that he does not feel up to making a commitment, he enjoys womanizing, and he lives mostly for pleasure.
Also, during the beginning of the book, Algernon and Jack (Ernest) have a spirited conversation on many topics. Throughout this conversation, one can detect a sense of tension between the two. this is seen through how they can hardly agree on anything, "Algernon: Where is that place in the country, by the way? Jack: That is nothing to you, dear boy" (Wilde pg.122). Here, Algernon is asking Jack where he lives, and Jack is saying that it doesn't matter because Algernon will never be invited over anyway. This trading off between them goes on until Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen arrive.