The Importance of Being Earnest What is the significance to the title of the play The Importance of Being Earnest to the characters? Asked by bookragstutor on 20 Aug 10:23 Last updated by anonymous on 08 Sep 22:41
The word 'earnest' means to be truthful and none of the characters are. Therefore the name is ironic. And, no one in the play is named 'Earnest' but everyone starts pretending to know or be Earnest.