He importance of being earnest pdf

The History of Women is very different. Many people prefer to read off-line or to print out text and read from the real printed page. By Oscar Wilde Published in The importance of being Earnest The question of gender roles in the play I Presentation of men who believe that they are superior to women Secret life of men and not trustworthy - Algernon is a confirmed bunburyist stereotype of the man leading a double life.

Lane is arranging afternoon tea on the table and after the music has ceased Algernon enters Algernon. The Importance of Being Earnest. Project Gutenberg 1 fAbout Wilde. Our whole life we live by being responsible and on duty to other people and forget to be ourselves.

The sound of a piano is heard in the adjoining room. It is in his race. Class distinctions in Britain were solidified during the Victorian Era.

This book was released on 01 January with total page 54 pages. This book written by Oscar Wilde and published by Courier Corporation which was released on 01 January with total pages But, my dear child, do you mean to say you could not love me if I had some other name? It is not at all a bad name. In fact, it is rather an aristocratic name. Half of the chaps who get into the Bankruptcy Court are called Algernon. But seriously, Cecily. Oh, yes. Chasuble is a most learned man. He has never written a single book, so you can imagine how much he knows.

I must see him at once on a most important christening—I mean on most important business. Considering that we have been engaged since February the 14th, and that I only met you to-day for the first time, I think it is rather hard that you should leave me for so long a period as half an hour.

What an impetuous boy he is! I like his hair so much. I must enter his proposal in my diary. A Miss Fairfax has just called to see Mr. On very important business, Miss Fairfax states. Pray ask the lady to come out here; Mr.

Worthing is sure to be back soon. And you can bring tea. Miss Fairfax! I suppose one of the many good elderly women who are associated with Uncle Jack in some of his philanthropic work in London. I think it is so forward of them. My name is Cecily Cardew. Cecily Cardew? Something tells me that we are going to be great friends. I like you already more than I can say. My first impressions of people are never wrong. How nice of you to like me so much after we have known each other such a comparatively short time.

Pray sit down. Perhaps this might be a favourable opportunity for my mentioning who I am. My father is Lord Bracknell. You have never heard of papa, I suppose? Outside the family circle, papa, I am glad to say, is entirely unknown. I think that is quite as it should be. The home seems to me to be the proper sphere for the man.

And certainly once a man begins to neglect his domestic duties he becomes painfully effeminate, does he not? It makes men so very attractive. Cecily, mamma, whose views on education are remarkably strict, has brought me up to be extremely short-sighted; it is part of her system; so do you mind my looking at you through my glasses? Your mother, no doubt, or some female relative of advanced years, resides here also?

My dear guardian, with the assistance of Miss Prism, has the arduous task of looking after me. It is strange he never mentioned to me that he had a ward. How secretive of him! He grows more interesting hourly. I am not sure, however, that the news inspires me with feelings of unmixed delight. But I am bound to state that now that I know that you are Mr. In fact, if I may speak candidly—. Pray do! I think that whenever one has anything unpleasant to say, one should always be quite candid.

Well, to speak with perfect candour, Cecily, I wish that you were fully forty-two, and more than usually plain for your age. Ernest has a strong upright nature. He is the very soul of truth and honour. Disloyalty would be as impossible to him as deception. But even men of the noblest possible moral character are extremely susceptible to the influence of the physical charms of others. Modern, no less than Ancient History, supplies us with many most painful examples of what I refer to.

If it were not so, indeed, History would be quite unreadable. Oh, but it is not Mr. Ernest Worthing who is my guardian. It is his brother—his elder brother. And now that I think of it I have never heard any man mention his brother. The subject seems distasteful to most men.

Cecily, you have lifted a load from my mind. I was growing almost anxious. It would have been terrible if any cloud had come across a friendship like ours, would it not? Of course you are quite, quite sure that it is not Mr. Ernest Worthing who is your guardian? Our little county newspaper is sure to chronicle the fact next week.

Ernest Worthing and I are engaged to be married. Ernest Worthing is engaged to me. The announcement will appear in the Morning Post on Saturday at the latest. Ernest proposed to me exactly ten minutes ago. If you would care to verify the incident, pray do so. One should always have something sensational to read in the train.

I am so sorry, dear Cecily, if it is any disappointment to you, but I am afraid I have the prior claim. It would distress me more than I can tell you, dear Gwendolen, if it caused you any mental or physical anguish, but I feel bound to point out that since Ernest proposed to you he clearly has changed his mind.

Do you allude to me, Miss Cardew, as an entanglement? You are presumptuous. It becomes a pleasure. Do you suggest, Miss Fairfax, that I entrapped Ernest into an engagement? How dare you? This is no time for wearing the shallow mask of manners.

When I see a spade I call it a spade. It is obvious that our social spheres have been widely different. He carries a salver, table cloth, and plate stand. Cecily is about to retort. The presence of the servants exercises a restraining influence, under which both girls chafe. A long pause. Cecily and Gwendolen glare at each other. From the top of one of the hills quite close one can see five counties. Personally I cannot understand how anybody manages to exist in the country, if anybody who is anybody does.

The country always bores me to death. This is what the newspapers call agricultural depression, is it not? I believe the aristocracy are suffering very much from it just at present. It is almost an epidemic amongst them, I have been told. May I offer you some tea, Miss Fairfax? But I require tea! Sugar is not fashionable any more. Cake is rarely seen at the best houses nowadays. Gwendolen drinks the tea and makes a grimace. Puts down cup at once, reaches out her hand to the bread and butter, looks at it, and finds it is cake.

Rises in indignation. You have filled my tea with lumps of sugar, and though I asked most distinctly for bread and butter, you have given me cake. I am known for the gentleness of my disposition, and the extraordinary sweetness of my nature, but I warn you, Miss Cardew, you may go too far. From the moment I saw you I distrusted you.

I felt that you were false and deceitful. I am never deceived in such matters. My first impressions of people are invariably right.

It seems to me, Miss Fairfax, that I am trespassing on your valuable time. No doubt you have many other calls of a similar character to make in the neighbourhood. May I ask if you are engaged to be married to this young lady? Of course not! What could have put such an idea into your pretty little head? The gentleman whose arm is at present round your waist is my guardian, Mr.

John Worthing. May I ask you—are you engaged to be married to this young lady? I felt there was some slight error, Miss Cardew. The gentleman who is now embracing you is my cousin, Mr. Algernon Moncrieff. I could deny anything if I liked. But my name certainly is John. It has been John for years. Jack and Algernon groan and walk up and down. An admirable idea! Worthing, there is just one question I would like to be permitted to put to you.

Where is your brother Ernest? We are both engaged to be married to your brother Ernest, so it is a matter of some importance to us to know where your brother Ernest is at present. It is the first time in my life that I have ever been reduced to such a painful position, and I am really quite inexperienced in doing anything of the kind.

However, I will tell you quite frankly that I have no brother Ernest. I have no brother at all. I never had a brother in my life, and I certainly have not the smallest intention of ever having one in the future.

I am afraid it is quite clear, Cecily, that neither of us is engaged to be married to any one. It is not a very pleasant position for a young girl suddenly to find herself in. Is it? Yes, and a perfectly wonderful Bunbury it is. The most wonderful Bunbury I have ever had in my life. That is absurd. One has a right to Bunbury anywhere one chooses.

Every serious Bunburyist knows that. Well, one must be serious about something, if one wants to have any amusement in life. I happen to be serious about Bunburying.

About everything, I should fancy. You have such an absolutely trivial nature. Well, the only small satisfaction I have in the whole of this wretched business is that your friend Bunbury is quite exploded. And a very good thing too. And not a bad thing either.

As for your conduct towards Miss Cardew, I must say that your taking in a sweet, simple, innocent girl like that is quite inexcusable. To say nothing of the fact that she is my ward. I can see no possible defence at all for your deceiving a brilliant, clever, thoroughly experienced young lady like Miss Fairfax.

To say nothing of the fact that she is my cousin. Only people like stock-brokers do that, and then merely at dinner parties. You seem to me to be perfectly heartless. The butter would probably get on my cuffs. One should always eat muffins quite calmly. It is the only way to eat them. When I am in trouble, eating is the only thing that consoles me.

Indeed, when I am in really great trouble, as any one who knows me intimately will tell you, I refuse everything except food and drink. At the present moment I am eating muffins because I am unhappy. Besides, I am particularly fond of muffins.

I said it was perfectly heartless of you, under the circumstances. That is a very different thing. That may be. But the muffins are the same. I never go without my dinner. No one ever does, except vegetarians and people like that. Besides I have just made arrangements with Dr. Chasuble to be christened at a quarter to six under the name of Ernest.

My dear fellow, the sooner you give up that nonsense the better. I made arrangements this morning with Dr. Chasuble to be christened myself at 5. Gwendolen would wish it. Besides, I have a perfect right to be christened if I like.

There is no evidence at all that I have ever been christened by anybody. I should think it extremely probable I never was, and so does Dr. It is entirely different in your case. You have been christened already. Quite so. So I know my constitution can stand it. If you are not quite sure about your ever having been christened, I must say I think it rather dangerous your venturing on it now.

It might make you very unwell. You can hardly have forgotten that some one very closely connected with you was very nearly carried off this week in Paris by a severe chill. Science is always making wonderful improvements in things. Jack, you are at the muffins again! There are only two left. Why on earth then do you allow tea-cake to be served up for your guests? What ideas you have of hospitality! I have already told you to go. Algernon still continues eating.

The fact that they did not follow us at once into the house, as any one else would have done, seems to me to show that they have some sense of shame left. They whistle some dreadful popular air from a British Opera. Worthing, I have something very particular to ask you. Much depends on your reply. Gwendolen, your common sense is invaluable. Moncrieff, kindly answer me the following question. In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing.

Worthing, what explanation can you offer to me for pretending to have a brother? Was it in order that you might have an opportunity of coming up to town to see me as often as possible? I have the gravest doubts upon the subject. But I intend to crush them. This is not the moment for German scepticism. That seems to me to have the stamp of truth upon it.

I am more than content with what Mr. Moncrieff said. His voice alone inspires one with absolute credulity. I had forgotten. There are principles at stake that one cannot surrender.

Which of us should tell them? The task is not a pleasant one. An excellent idea! I nearly always speak at the same time as other people.

Will you take the time from me? That is all! Is that all? But we are going to be christened this afternoon. How absurd to talk of the equality of the sexes! Where questions of self-sacrifice are concerned, men are infinitely beyond us. Come here. Sit down. Sit down immediately. Hesitation of any kind is a sign of mental decay in the young, of physical weakness in the old.

Her unhappy father is, I am glad to say, under the impression that she is attending a more than usually lengthy lecture by the University Extension Scheme on the Influence of a permanent income on Thought. I do not propose to undeceive him. Indeed I have never undeceived him on any question. I would consider it wrong. But of course, you will clearly understand that all communication between yourself and my daughter must cease immediately from this moment.

On this point, as indeed on all points, I am firm. You are nothing of the kind, sir. And now, as regards Algernon! May I ask if it is in this house that your invalid friend Mr. Bunbury resides?

Bunbury is somewhere else at present. In fact, Bunbury is dead. When did Mr. Bunbury die? His death must have been extremely sudden. I killed Bunbury this afternoon. I mean poor Bunbury died this afternoon. Was he the victim of a revolutionary outrage? I was not aware that Mr. Bunbury was interested in social legislation. If so, he is well punished for his morbidity.

My dear Aunt Augusta, I mean he was found out! The doctors found out that Bunbury could not live, that is what I mean—so Bunbury died. He seems to have had great confidence in the opinion of his physicians. I am glad, however, that he made up his mind at the last to some definite course of action, and acted under proper medical advice.

And now that we have finally got rid of this Mr. Bunbury, may I ask, Mr. Worthing, who is that young person whose hand my nephew Algernon is now holding in what seems to me a peculiarly unnecessary manner? That lady is Miss Cecily Cardew, my ward. I think some preliminary inquiry on my part would not be out of place. Worthing, is Miss Cardew at all connected with any of the larger railway stations in London?

I merely desire information. Until yesterday I had no idea that there were any families or persons whose origin was a Terminus. Thomas Cardew of Belgrave Square, S. That sounds not unsatisfactory. Three addresses always inspire confidence, even in tradesmen. But what proof have I of their authenticity?

I have carefully preserved the Court Guides of the period. They are open to your inspection, Lady Bracknell. Markby, Markby, and Markby? A firm of the very highest position in their profession. Indeed I am told that one of the Mr. So far I am satisfied. A life crowded with incident, I see; though perhaps somewhat too exciting for a young girl. I am not myself in favour of premature experiences. We have not a moment to lose. As a matter of form, Mr.

Worthing, I had better ask you if Miss Cardew has any little fortune? That is all. Goodbye, Lady Bracknell. So pleased to have seen you. A hundred and thirty thousand pounds! And in the Funds! Miss Cardew seems to me a most attractive young lady, now that I look at her. Few girls of the present day have any really solid qualities, any of the qualities that last, and improve with time. We live, I regret to say, in an age of surfaces.

But we can soon alter all that. A thoroughly experienced French maid produces a really marvellous result in a very brief space of time. I remember recommending one to young Lady Lancing, and after three months her own husband did not know her. Then bends, with a practised smile, to Cecily. There are distinct social possibilities in your profile. The two weak points in our age are its want of principle and its want of profile.

The chin a little higher, dear. Style largely depends on the way the chin is worn. They are worn very high, just at present. Cecily is the sweetest, dearest, prettiest girl in the whole world. Never speak disrespectfully of Society, Algernon. But I do not approve of mercenary marriages.

When I married Lord Bracknell I had no fortune of any kind. But I never dreamed for a moment of allowing that to stand in my way. Well, I suppose I must give my consent. To speak frankly, I am not in favour of long engagements.

I beg your pardon for interrupting you, Lady Bracknell, but this engagement is quite out of the question. That consent I absolutely decline to give.

Upon what grounds may I ask? Algernon is an extremely, I may almost say an ostentatiously, eligible young man. He has nothing, but he looks everything. What more can one desire? It pains me very much to have to speak frankly to you, Lady Bracknell, about your nephew, but the fact is that I do not approve at all of his moral character.

I suspect him of being untruthful. I fear there can be no possible doubt about the matter. This afternoon during my temporary absence in London on an important question of romance, he obtained admission to my house by means of the false pretence of being my brother.

Continuing his disgraceful deception, he succeeded in the course of the afternoon in alienating the affections of my only ward.

He subsequently stayed to tea, and devoured every single muffin. I distinctly told him so myself yesterday afternoon. That is very generous of you, Lady Bracknell.

My own decision, however, is unalterable. I decline to give my consent. Well, I am really only eighteen, but I always admit to twenty when I go to evening parties. You are perfectly right in making some slight alteration. Indeed, no woman should ever be quite accurate about her age. It looks so calculating. Well, it will not be very long before you are of age and free from the restraints of tutelage. That does not seem to me to be a grave objection.

Thirty-five is a very attractive age. London society is full of women of the very highest birth who have, of their own free choice, remained thirty-five for years.

Lady Dumbleton is an instance in point. To my own knowledge she has been thirty-five ever since she arrived at the age of forty, which was many years ago now.

I see no reason why our dear Cecily should not be even still more attractive at the age you mention than she is at present. There will be a large accumulation of property. I hate waiting even five minutes for anybody. It always makes me rather cross. I am not punctual myself, I know, but I do like punctuality in others, and waiting, even to be married, is quite out of the question.

My dear Mr. Worthing, as Miss Cardew states positively that she cannot wait till she is thirty-five—a remark which I am bound to say seems to me to show a somewhat impatient nature—I would beg of you to reconsider your decision.

But my dear Lady Bracknell, the matter is entirely in your own hands. The moment you consent to my marriage with Gwendolen, I will most gladly allow your nephew to form an alliance with my ward. That is not the destiny I propose for Gwendolen. Algernon, of course, can choose for himself. To miss any more might expose us to comment on the platform. At their age? The idea is grotesque and irreligious! Algernon, I forbid you to be baptized. I will not hear of such excesses.

Lord Bracknell would be highly displeased if he learned that that was the way in which you wasted your time and money. Am I to understand then that there are to be no christenings at all this afternoon? The Importance of Being Earnest. The History of Women is very different. Known for his barbed wit he was one of the most successful playwrights of late.

This is exactly the same what happens in this story. We have always been pictur-esque protests against the mere exis- tence of common sense. But in April the Marquis accused Wilde of homosexuality and in return Oscar sued for libel. Addeddate Identifier ost-english-importanceofbeinwild. Morning-room in Algernons flat in Half-Moon Street. Witty and buoyant comedy of manners is brilliantly plotted from its effervescent first act to its. One effect of being firm rather than say friendly in administering the GSS may be to maximise the effect of psychological distance such that the interrogator gains tactical advantage over the interviewee eg.

Social duties sometimes make us so weary that only thing we want to do is escape them. Lane is arranging afternoon tea on the table and after the music has ceased Algernon enters Algernon. He cant help himself. We have created pdf files of all out documents to accommodate all these groups of people.

Firmness in presentation of negative feedback may have several interacting effects. This book written by Oscar Wilde and published by Courier Corporation which was released on 01 January with total pages