What does Jack plan to do to his 'brother' if Gwendolen accepts his proposal?

What does Jack plan to do to his 'brother' if Gwendolen accepts his proposal?

• A. Kill him.
• B. Reveal the lie.
• C. Introduce him to Cecily.
• D. Move him to the country.

Answer: (A)

Jack keeps a fake brother named Ernest as part of his double life, using that persona to escape his ordinary responsibilities. When the topic turns to marriage with Gwendolen, his offhand line that he would “kill him” is a humorous way of saying that, if Gwendolen accepts, the need for the Ernest disguise would vanish and he would get rid of the fictitious brother to keep the truth from complicating the marriage. It highlights Wilde’s satirical take on seriousness and the lengths characters go to preserve appearances. The joke also shows how the appeal of the name Ernest is tied to social image, since removing the lie would let him marry without the burden of the deception.

Jack keeps a fake brother named Ernest as part of his double life, using that persona to escape his ordinary responsibilities. When the topic turns to marriage with Gwendolen, his offhand line that he would “kill him” is a humorous way of saying that, if Gwendolen accepts, the need for the Ernest disguise would vanish and he would get rid of the fictitious brother to keep the truth from complicating the marriage. It highlights Wilde’s satirical take on seriousness and the lengths characters go to preserve appearances. The joke also shows how the appeal of the name Ernest is tied to social image, since removing the lie would let him marry without the burden of the deception.