Question

What is the name of Algernon’s imaginary friend?

• A. Harbury
• B. Bunbury
• C. Markby
• D. Bunberry

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Bunbury

• Algernon’s imaginary friend is named Bunbury.

• In The Importance of Being Earnest, Algernon invents Bunbury as an excuse to escape social obligations.

• He refers to this practice as "Bunburying", which means creating a fictitious person or situation to avoid responsibilities.

• Bunbury is described as a perpetually ill friend who conveniently requires Algernon’s attention whenever he wishes to leave town or avoid dull gatherings, like dinner with Lady Bracknell.

• This concept of "Bunburying" is central to the play’s theme of deception and the double lives that characters lead for personal convenience and amusement.