Having had the distinct displeasure of watching a1960 or so aged movie late one night, very late one night, I was not eager to read the play.
However, even in the badly done movie I could see the familiarity, the chemistry between Jack and Algernon. What the play supplies and the movie wouldn't or couldn't are the links to cleverness. I have a new found respect for the sly innuendos, Wilde slips in .The understanding of Cecily that the movie portrays her with no more substance than a cut out doll. The girl wants sex and sex with a man who's had sex, preferably with one whose had sex with both genders.
Gwendolyn wiser and older will take hers anyway she can get him, but prefers to look the other way.
Out of curiosity I looked up Websters definition of Earnest it went from, grave to sobriety to serious to finally, collateral and fulfillment of an obligation. It was an exchange, protection for both parties. The women were guaranteed not to be branded old maids and the gentleman
were given freedom and generally dowry's or if monied titles.
Furthermore, it offered a cloak protection from a society that thought one was acceptable unless tragic . It seems it fashionable until exposed.
