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The Importance of Being Earnest · Oscar Wilde · 1895
ALGERNON
A young man with no income and complete confidence.
The speech118 words · 4 beats
0:00 / 1:02
Nothing will induce me to part with Bunbury, and if you ever get married, which seems to me extremely problematic, you will be very glad to know Bunbury.
You have invented a very useful younger brother called Ernest, in order that you may be able to come up to town as often as you like.
I have invented an invaluable permanent invalid called Bunbury, in order that I may be able to go down into the country whenever I choose.turn
Bunbury is perfectly invaluable. If it wasn't for Bunbury's extraordinary bad health, for instance, I wouldn't be able to dine with you tonight.
- Speaking to
- His friend Jack, who has just been caught in a lie and is being lectured about it by a worse liar.
- What just happened
- Algernon has produced a cigarette case inscribed to 'Uncle Jack' from someone called Cecily. Jack has just confessed to having a double life. Algernon is thrilled.
- Objective
- To recruit Jack into the system, and to be admired for having invented it.
- The turn
- 'I have invented an invaluable permanent invalid' — the confession becomes a sales pitch.
- Watch out for
- Prose comedy. The rhythm is everything; the moment it's played as arch, it dies.