title: The Importance of Being Earnest and Four Other Plays (Barnes & Noble Classics)
author:  Oscar Wilde 
description: <div><b>Kenneth Krauss</b> received his Ph.D. from Columbia University. He teaches drama at the College of Saint Rose, where he also directs and produces. His most recent book is <i>The Drama of Fallen France</i>, on French theater under the German Occupation. <br><br></div>
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  ![cover](resources/_cover_.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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  # A Woman of No Importance
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### Oscar Wilde
  
  
  
      
  
  
  THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Lord Illingworth
  
  
  Sir John Pontefract
  
  
  Lord Alfred Rufford
  
  
  Mr. Kelvil, M.P.
  
  
  The Ven. Archdeacon Daubeny, D.D.
  
  
  Gerald Arbuthnot
  
  
  Farquhar, Butler
  
  
  Francis, Footman
  
  
  Lady Hunstanton
  
  
  Lady Caroline Pontefract
  
  
  Lady Stutfield
  
  
  Mrs. Allonby
  
  
  Miss Hester Worsley
  
  
  Alice, Maid
  
  
  Mrs. Arbuthnot
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  THE SCENES OF THE PLAY
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ACT I. The Terrace at Hunstanton Chase.
  
  
  ACT II. The Drawing-room at Hunstanton Chase.
  
  
  ACT III. The Hall at Hunstanton Chase.
  
  
  ACT IV. Sitting-room in Mrs. Arbuthnot's House at Wrockley.
  
  
  
  
  
  TIME: The Present.
  
  
  PLACE: The Shires.
  
  
  
  
  
  The action of the play takes place within twenty-four hours.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### FIRST ACT
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  SCENE
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  Lawn in front of the terrace at Hunstanton.
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  [SIR JOHN and LADY CAROLINE PONTEFRACT, MISS WORSLEY, on chairs
  
  
  under 