Question

Why does Jack use the name "Ernest" in the city?

• A. To impress Cecily
• B. To escape his responsibilities in the countryside
• C. Because it is his real name
• D. To deceive Lady Bracknell

Answer 1

Answer:

B. To escape his responsibilities in the countryside

• In "The Importance of Being Earnest," Jack uses the name "Ernest" in the city as a way to escape his country life persona and indulge in a more carefree, "un-Jack-like" identity, essentially creating an alter ego that allows him to act differently and pursue his romantic interests without the constraints of his established reputation in the countryside; "Ernest" represents a fictional, more exciting version of himself that he can access when in London.