NON-AFRICAN DRAMA
OSCAR WILDE: The Importance of Being Earnest
Analyse the deceptive nature of Algernon.
Explanation
Algernon is one of the major characters in the play. He is an aristocrat, born into a wealthy and noble family. His late mother was a sister to the fashionable lady Bracknell.
Algernon is an easy-going young man who takes delight in deception, fun and pleasure. He confides in Jack his love for levity. He invents "bunburism", his own idea of leading a double life. He tells Jack that he invents an invaluable permanent invalid called "Bunbury" in order that he may be able to go down to the countryside whenever he chooses. Algernon shirks his responsibility at home when he pretends to be going to see his imaginary friend called Mr. Bunbury.
Algernon deceive his aunty, Lady Bracknell, and lures her away to enable Jack have access to Gwendolen Fairfax. He also displays his deception when he goes to Jack's country home and claims to be the wayward Ernest, Jack's imaginary elder brother, just to woo Cecily, Jack's ward. He deceived his friend Jack by telling him that the cucumber sandwiches are all reserved for Lady Bracknell. But after eating all the sandwiches, he lies to his aunt that they have been unable to find any cucumber to buy in the market. He also falsely accuses the servants of negligence for not serving the cucumber.
Algernon also falsely informs Miss Prism that the Priest is waiting for her in the garden. He does this to send her away so that he can talk to Cecily in private. He leads the way in deception and instructs Cecily in how to deceive people in order to get what she wants. All in all, we can say that Algernon is a. character who is adept at deception. The good thing, however, is he does it all without malice, but for frivolous fun and pleasure.