Algernon explains his philosophy of 'Bunburying' to Jack, revealing how he uses a fictional invalid friend to escape tedious social obligations. He argues that such deceptions are an absolute necessity for maintaining one's sanity in polite society and marriage.
ALGERNON: You have invented a very useful younger brother called Ernest, in order that you may be able to come up to town as often as you like. I have invented an invaluable permanent invalid called Bunbury, in order that I may be able to go down into the country whenever I choose. Bunbury is perfec
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