Act II — The Engagement Diary
from The Importance of Being Earnest
Written by Oscar Wilde
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.
ALGERNON: I hope, Cecily, I shall not offend you if I state quite frankly and openly that you seem to me to be in every way the visible personification of absolute perfection.
CECILY: I think your frankness does you great credit, Ernest. If you will allow me, I will copy your remarks into my diary.
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
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.
The Cigarette Case and the Truth About Ernest
from The Importance of Being Earnest
Algernon interrogates Jack about a mysterious inscription found inside a misplaced cigarette case. As Jack attempts to explain away the presence of a woman named Cecily, he is forced to confess his double life and the truth about his real name.
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 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.
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.
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 Manifesto Critique
from The French Dispatch
A seasoned journalist discovers a young revolutionary hiding in her bathtub while he attempts to write a political manifesto. The scene explores the awkward but intellectual bond between the two as they navigate personal sadness, youthful idealism, and the rigors of editorial criticism.





