As the first act comes to a rather confusing end, John and Algernon reveal the secret of the play; nothing is exactly as it seems. The Importance of Being Earnest is a highly exaggerated play called a farce, which revolves around the plot of two available bachelors who find themselves in an unusually complicated "love knot." The characters John and Algernon pretend to be people that do not truly exists. The plot never ceases to stop and continually adds to the already large knot these two gentlemen have developed. .
In this late Nineteenth Century play, Oscar Wilde presents a story full of suspense but also light enough to merely be enjoyed. As the plot progresses, the audience wonders what Wilde will say next. The whole play is built upon a foundation of irony in which the characters talk highly of moral issues but lack these in and of themselves. This is simply adding comedy to the play as we watch each character add something to the knot that is carefully being woven. .
Wilde has skillfully constructed what can be classified as a well-made play. The four characteristics that determine a well-made play are used by Wilde. These four characteristics, which determine the well made structure of the play, have endured as a stable theatrical fair. These characteristics are that the characters usually come from the upper middle class, that the play uses dialogue simulating the upper or middle class, that the costumes and settings are contemporary and authentic, and that the play has a simple plot revolving around one problem .
The first of these characteristics is that the characters are generally from the middle to upper class. The main characters all have approximately the same number of lines. In addition, the cast consists of a few minor characters who play roles such as servants or tutors; these are played by the Reverend Canon Chasuble, Lane, Merriman, and Miss Prism.