The Importance of Being Earnest

I don't understand the title...

Could someone explain the title to me? What is the importance of being earnest?

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Last updated by coco s #17435
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"Earnest" means honest and truthful. No one in this book is either of those! Everyone is either superficial like Lady Brackness, or full of deceit like Jack and Algernon. The title is a play on words--both being earnest (honest) and being Earnest, i.e. having that name--as if a name makes any real difference. Hilarious!