The Importance of Being Earnest

John develops a false persona of a reckless brother named Ernest to escape his responsibilities and visit London freely. This deception sets the stage for many misunderstandings throughout the story. His fabricated brother provides John with a convenient excuse to break away from his peaceful country life whenever he desires.

John arrives in London and stays with his mischievous friend Algernon Moncrieff. The two enjoy bending social norms and sharing tall tales, reinforcing their playful and rebellious attitudes. Algernon learns about John's fictional brother Ernest and becomes intrigued by the idea.

While in London, John adopts the persona of Ernest to impress Gwendolen Fairfax, with whom he has fallen in love. During his proposal, Gwendolen reveals her obsession with the name Ernest, asserting she could only love a man with that name. This reinforces the importance of the fictional brother in her romantic ideals.

Lady Bracknell interviews John about his background and learns he was an orphan found at Victoria Station. She disapproves of his lack of proper family connections and refuses to approve the marriage unless he can produce a respectable lineage. This setback forces John to return to his country estate.

Algernon, curious about John's stories of Ernest, visits John's country home under the guise of being his brother. He is welcomed warmly by Cecily, who has become fascinated with the mysterious non-existent Ernest. Algernon quickly adopts the persona of Ernest himself.

Cecily, unaware of Algernon's true identity, falls genuinely for him, believing he is the real Ernest. She has long dreamed of marrying someone with that name, and Algernon's flirtation aligns with her romantic fantasies. Their affection deepens quickly.

Gwendolen arrives at John's estate and encounters Cecily, leading to the discovery that both women are engaged to men named Ernest. The meeting sparks confusion and tension as both women suspect their fiances are not who they claim to be.

Miss Prism, the governess, inadvertently reveals that she is the nurse who, thirty-four years ago, misplaced a baby at Victoria Station. It is disclosed that this abandoned baby is actually John Worthing, linking him directly to the story of his origins.

It is confirmed that John Worthing's real name is Ernest, aligning with Gwendolen's romantic obsession and resolving some of the confusion. Lady Bracknell approves of the marriage once she accepts John's true identity and background.

It is revealed that Algernon is actually John’s younger brother, making their relationship familial. This adds another layer of complexity to their interactions and resolves some of the intertwined misunderstandings.

With all misunderstandings cleared, both pairs—John and Gwendolen, Algernon and Cecily—accept their relationships and look forward to marriage. The story ends on a joyful note emphasizing the comedic importance of the name Ernest.