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Similes
Act 1, Part 2
Explanation and Analysis—A Pink Rose:
In order to express thoughts and feelings that could not be spoken aloud in polite society, many Victorians became adept at a form of clandestine communication called floriography, or the language of flowers. In floriography, different plants have specific meanings associated with them, and carefully arranged bouquets can be used to send elaborate messages.
Wilde alludes to the practice of floriography during Algernon's first encounter with Cecily in Act 2, Part 1:
Algernon: Might I have a button-hole first? I never have any appetite unless I have a button-hole first.
Cecily: A Maréchal Niel? [Picks up scissors]
Algernon: No, I'd sooner have a pink rose.
Cecily: Why? [Cuts a flower]
Algernon: Because you are like a pink rose, cousin Cecily.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Mr. Bunbury:
The scene in Act 1, Part 2 in which Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen arrive for tea at Algernon's flat is filled with instances of situational and dramatic irony. In order to get out of going to dinner at his aunt's house, Algernon invents an excuse involving his imaginary friend Bunbury:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Algernon: It is a great bore, and, I need hardly say, a terrible disappointment to me, but the fact is I have just had a telegram to say that my poor friend Bunbury is very ill again. [Exchanges glances with Jack.] They seem to think I should be with him.
Related Themes:
Act 2, Part 1
Explanation and Analysis—A Pink Rose:
In order to express thoughts and feelings that could not be spoken aloud in polite society, many Victorians became adept at a form of clandestine communication called floriography, or the language of flowers. In floriography, different plants have specific meanings associated with them, and carefully arranged bouquets can be used to send elaborate messages.
Wilde alludes to the practice of floriography during Algernon's first encounter with Cecily in Act 2, Part 1:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Algernon: Might I have a button-hole first? I never have any appetite unless I have a button-hole first.
Cecily: A Maréchal Niel? [Picks up scissors]
Algernon: No, I'd sooner have a pink rose.
Cecily: Why? [Cuts a flower]
Algernon: Because you are like a pink rose, cousin Cecily.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—My Unfortunate Brother:
In Act 2, Part 1, there's an instance of foreshadowing when Miss Prism and Dr. Chasuble question Jack about Ernest:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Miss Prism: More shameful debts and extravagance?
Chasuble: Still leading his life of pleasure?
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—A Brotherly Reunion:
The scene in which Jack arrives at his country estate and discovers Algernon masquerading as his brother is filled with dramatic irony. The audience is already aware of Algernon's presence and is awaiting the inevitable confrontation between the two men, which makes Jack's conversation with Cecily in Act 2, Part 1 quite ironic:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Cecily: Your brother Ernest. He arrived half an hour ago.
Jack: What nonsense! I haven't got a brother.
Cecily: Oh, don't say that. However badly he may have behaved to you in the past he is still your brother. You couldn't be so heartless as to disown him.
Related Themes:
Act 2, Part 2
Explanation and Analysis—The Tea Party:
Gwendolen and Cecily's tea party during Act 2, Part 2 is filled with dramatic irony. The audience, aware that Jack and Algernon are both pretending to be Ernest, eagerly awaits the inevitable misunderstanding that results from this deception:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Cecily: Mr. Ernest Worthing and I are engaged to be married.
Gwendolen: [Quite politely, rising]. My darling Cecily, I think there must be some slight error. Mr. Ernest Worthing is engaged to me.
Explanation and Analysis—A Brotherly Reunion:
The scene in which Jack arrives at his country estate and discovers Algernon masquerading as his brother is filled with dramatic irony. The audience is already aware of Algernon's presence and is awaiting the inevitable confrontation between the two men, which makes Jack's conversation with Cecily in Act 2, Part 1 quite ironic:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Cecily: Your brother Ernest. He arrived half an hour ago.
Jack: What nonsense! I haven't got a brother.
Cecily: Oh, don't say that. However badly he may have behaved to you in the past he is still your brother. You couldn't be so heartless as to disown him.
Related Themes:
Act 3, Part 2
Explanation and Analysis—My Unfortunate Brother:
In Act 2, Part 1, there's an instance of foreshadowing when Miss Prism and Dr. Chasuble question Jack about Ernest:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Miss Prism: More shameful debts and extravagance?
Chasuble: Still leading his life of pleasure?
Related Themes:
