# The Importance of Being Earnest — Character guide

> Key figures in The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.

- [Jack Worthing](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_importance_of_being_earnest/characters/jack_worthing.md): A gentleman with a double life, known as Ernest in town and Jack in the country.
- [Algernon Moncrieff](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_importance_of_being_earnest/characters/algernon_moncrieff.md): Jack's witty friend who invents a fictional invalid named Bunbury to escape social obligations.
- [Gwendolen Fairfax](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_importance_of_being_earnest/characters/gwendolen_fairfax.md): Lady Bracknell's daughter, in love with Jack believing his name is Ernest.
- [Cecily Cardew](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_importance_of_being_earnest/characters/cecily_cardew.md): Jack's ward, a romantic young woman living in the country who dreams of marrying Ernest.
- [Lady Bracknell](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_importance_of_being_earnest/characters/lady_bracknell.md): Gwendolen's formidable mother who disapproves of Jack's origins.
- [Miss Prism](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_importance_of_being_earnest/characters/miss_prism.md): Cecily's governess and a novelist with a mysterious past.
- [Dr. Chasuble](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_importance_of_being_earnest/characters/dr_chasuble.md): The local rector who is courted by Miss Prism.
- [Bunbury](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_importance_of_being_earnest/characters/bunbury.md): Algernon's fictional invalid friend used as an excuse.
- [Lord Bracknell](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_importance_of_being_earnest/characters/lord_bracknell.md): Lady Bracknell's absent husband, mentioned but never appears.
- [Thomas Cardew](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_importance_of_being_earnest/characters/thomas_cardew.md): The deceased gentleman who adopted Jack as a baby.
- [Lady Harbury](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_importance_of_being_earnest/characters/lady_harbury.md): A widow mentioned as looking younger since her husband's death.
- [Lady Bloxham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_importance_of_being_earnest/characters/lady_bloxham.md): A society figure mentioned by Lady Bracknell.
- [Lady Lancing](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_importance_of_being_earnest/characters/lady_lancing.md): A minor society name dropped in conversation.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_importance_of_being_earnest/characters