Topic > The Consequences of a Lie in The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

“People like to say that the conflict is between good and evil. The real conflict is between truth and lies." Mexican author Don Miguel Ruiz's words of knowledge are expressed extensively in Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest as the characters experience the consequences that come with telling a lie. For example, Jack Worthing uses his imaginary brother, Earnest, to pursue a social life which causes complications for the rest of the play. Similarly, Algeron Moncrieff creates a fictional character known as Bunbury who eventually turns into another problem to overcome. To keep his double life a secret, Jack Worthing hides the truth from Algeron when he insists he doesn't know a girl named Cecily. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Jack Worthing leads a double life with the help of the non-existent character Earnest. First of all, Jack digs himself into a hole when he creates Earnest, a fictional character he uses as an alibi to run his personal errands. In reality Jack “has no brothers and has never had a brother”. Jack benefits from his lies as he can have more free time on his hands, however, this involves him in an incredibly complicated situation. Furthermore, he unknowingly traps himself in a chaotic situation by the temptation of freedom from his country estate. Jack uses Earnest to escape his country estate for a few days at a time, no longer having to choose between "his health or his happiness." Even though he causes trouble, Jack creates Earnest as a way to have a social life while also owning his country estate. On top of this, Jack causes conflict in himself and others around him when he lies about his younger brother Earnest. Jack leaves town when Earnest "gets into the most terrible trouble." When Jack excuses himself from business to visit his younger brother Earnest, he not only lies but involves himself in an argument.Algeron Moncrieff creates a fictional character known as Bunbury. Like Jack, Algeron invents Bunbury to give him a respite from his daily life. Algeron wants to “be able to come down to the county whenever he wants” without having a valid reason. Although this lie allows Algeron to escape his social obligations, it also creates difficulties in his life. Furthermore, Algeron creates Bunbury to have a ready excuse to leave whenever he wants. Algeron describes Bunbury as "a permanent invalid of inestimable value" so that he can conveniently lie about being called to Bunbury's deathbed. Algeron uses Bunbury to exempt himself from family responsibilities and business duties which ultimately get him into trouble. Furthermore, Bunbury allows Algeron to avoid unpleasant situations. With Bunbury's help, Algeron is able to "have dinner with Jack at Willi's" along with many other events that Algeron would have missed if it weren't for Bunbury. Algeron replaces undesirable situations with more pleasant ones by being deceptive but ends up with more problems than necessary. Jack Worthing shows up with a fake story to tell about his double life. Jack claims the truth while Algeron asks him if he knows anyone named Cecily. Algeron finds a cigarette case that Jack claims is his but "the cigarette case is a gift from someone named Cecily" who Jack insists on knowing now. Jack lies once again to protect the identity he created for himself from the beginning, which includes him in an unnecessary conflict. Jack hides the truth to keep his identity a secret. Jack finally admits that he knows someone named Cecily who he claims "is his aunt". Jack lies once again and.