“ I hope you have not been leading a double life, pretending to be wicked and being really good all the time. That would be hypocrisy. ”
Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest (1895). copy citation
| Author | Oscar Wilde |
|---|---|
| Source | The Importance of Being Earnest |
| Topic | lie hypocrisy double life |
| Date | 1895 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/844/844-h/844-h.htm |
Context
“
Algernon. Oh! I am not really wicked at all, cousin Cecily. You mustn't think that I am wicked.
Cecily. If you are not, then you have certainly been deceiving us all in a very inexcusable manner. I hope you have not been leading a double life, pretending to be wicked and being really good all the time. That would be hypocrisy.
Algernon. [Looks at her in amazement.] Oh! Of course I have been rather reckless.
Cecily. I am glad to hear it.
Algernon.” source
Algernon. Oh! I am not really wicked at all, cousin Cecily. You mustn't think that I am wicked.
Cecily. If you are not, then you have certainly been deceiving us all in a very inexcusable manner. I hope you have not been leading a double life, pretending to be wicked and being really good all the time. That would be hypocrisy.
Algernon. [Looks at her in amazement.] Oh! Of course I have been rather reckless.
Cecily. I am glad to hear it.
Algernon.” source
Meaning and analysis
