The Importance of Being Earnest follows the escapades of two charming bachelors, Jack and Algernon, who lead double lives to escape their social obligations. Jack pretends to have a wicked brother named Ernest, whose mischievous behavior provides him with an excuse to escape his country life and pursue romantic interests in London. Algernon employs a similar tactic, creating an imaginary friend named Bunbury whose frequent illnesses allow him to escape his social commitments in London and enjoy leisurely pursuits in the country. Their intricate web of deception becomes increasingly complicated when both men fall in love. The pursuit of love and marriage leads to a series of comedic misunderstandings and absurd situations.

Through clever wordplay, satire, and hilarious characters, Oscar Wilde critiques the superficial values and social expectations of the Victorian upper class, particularly their rigid adherence to societal norms and their obsession with appearance. The Importance of Being Earnest humorously explores the lengths people will go in order to maintain a façade of respectability and navigate the complexities of love and marriage within a restrictive social framework.