In the play, The Importance of Being Earnest, the physical journeys of the main characters, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncreiff, play a central role in the plot and in character development. Both characters use their journeys and destinations to live a different life, as a different person. In these other lives, Jack and Algernon can behave in ways they usually would not behave as themselves, which shows the hypocrisy of the Victorian society.
Jack Worthing is considered to be a respectable and responsible man. Because he has this reputation, he must act in the way a proper Victorian man acts. Jack creates a younger brother, for himself, that goes by the name of Ernest. When Jack travels to London to "visit his brother", Jack becomes Ernest and has a new persona. When Jack is Ernest he does not have responsibilities, and he can have fun. This journey is significant because it shows how although Jack is seen scolding Algernon, during the play, for his ungentlemanly qualities, Jack just leaves for London and leaves his own rules behind, which is hypocritical of Jack.
Similarly, Algernon Moncreiff also creates a fictional friend,
"Bunbury", to assist in his double life. Algernon uses Bunbury to leave
the country and travel to the city. In the city Algernon can be free of
the responsibilities he has in the country, such as the scheduled
dinners with his aunt, Lady Bracknell. When Algernon decides that he
does not want to spend time with his aunt, he tells her that he is
traveling to visit his friend Bunbury.
These journeys are significant because they show how
easy Jack and Algernon can deceive the other characters in the play. It
is easy to use deception because the Victorian society focuses on the
things that they think is important, which are appearances, social status, and social responsibilities.
