Act I, Scene 1 — The Hand-bag Exchange
from The Importance of Being Earnest
Written by Oscar Wilde
Lady Bracknell interrogates Jack Worthing about his family lineage, only to be horrified by the revelation that he was discovered as a baby in a handbag at Victoria Station.
LADY BRACKNELL: To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness. Who was your father?
JACK: I am afraid I really don’t know. The fact is, Lady Bracknell, I said I had lost my parents. It would be nearer the truth to say that my parents seem to
Create a free account to explore more
Upgrade to Pro for full access — £6.99/month
Director's Notes
Explore More
Want expert coaching on this scene?
Browse our curated list of acting coaches, dialect specialists, and more.
Need representation?
Browse verified agents and casting directors in our directory.
How well does this scene match you?
Save your casting profile to see match scores on every scene.
Try Headshot AnalyserGo Pro
£6.99/mo
- ✓ Unlimited scene reading
- ✓ PDF downloads
- ✓ Director's Notes
- ✓ Headshot Analyser
- ✓ Cover Letter Generator
- ✓ Practice Mode
- ✓ Agent Connect
- + 1,000+ scenes
More from The Importance of Being Earnest
Act II — The Engagement Diary
from The Importance of Being Earnest
Algernon, posing as the fictional 'Ernest', attempts to woo Cecily in the garden. He is bewildered to discover that Cecily has already documented their entire romance and engagement in her diary long before they actually met.
Gwendolen and Cecily's First Encounter
from The Importance of Being Earnest
A character grapples with a significant internal conflict or external pressure, attempting to articulate their deepest fears or desires. The scene explores the emotional weight of their current situation and the stakes of their next decision.
Act II, Scene 1 — Gwendolen's Candour
from The Importance of Being Earnest
Gwendolen discovers that her fiancé, Ernest (Jack), has a young and beautiful ward named Cecily. She attempts to maintain Victorian politeness while expressing her deep insecurity and jealousy regarding Cecily's 'alluring' appearance.
Gwendolyn's Jealousy
from The Importance of Being Earnest
Gwendolen expresses her sudden insecurity and polite jealousy upon discovering that her fiancé, Ernest, has a young and beautiful ward. She attempts to maintain a mask of high-society decorum while suggesting that Cecily's physical charms might be a threat to Ernest's moral fortitude.
Similar Scenes
The Rules of Golf
from Happy Gilmore
Virginia attempts to discipline Happy regarding his unprofessional behavior on the golf course, warning him that his career is at stake. Happy uses the opportunity to charm her into a date, leveraging his participation in the tournament as a bargaining chip.
The Fake Sex Plan
from Easy A
Olive Penderghast proposes a deceptive plan to help her friend Brandon improve his social standing by faking a sexual encounter. They discuss the mechanics of high school popularity and the power of rumors to reshape one's identity. Brandon eventually agrees to the scheme, setting the stage for a complicated social experiment.
Act I, Scene 1 — The Course of True Love
from A Midsummer Night's Dream
Hermia and Lysander lament the difficulties of their forbidden love before Lysander proposes a plan to flee Athens and marry in secret at his aunt's house. They exchange vows of loyalty and agree to meet in the woods the following night.
The Downsizing Meeting
from The Office: An American Workplace
Michael Scott attempts to manage the growing anxiety among his employees regarding rumors of corporate downsizing. His objective is to maintain his image as a benevolent leader while avoiding the harsh reality of the situation, leading to high tension and awkwardness.




