Jack Worthing is a wealthy, twenty-nine-year-old bachelor who splits his time between his country estate and London. He chafes at the social conventions of the British aristocracy but tries to seem as though he is obeying them, superficially at least.

In the city, Jack goes by the name Ernest and lives the life of a dissolute but wealthy bachelor, aided by his friend Algernon Moncrieff. In the country, he is the guardian of Cecily Cardew who believes him to be a sober, upright young man. He maintains this image by inventing a brother named Ernest to whom he assigns his exploits in the city. 

Despite his wealth and social standing, Jack is a foundling who was discovered as a baby in Victoria Station. He was raised by Thomas Cardew, Cecily’s grandfather, and does not know the identity of his real parents. His social station puts him on the path to meet and fall in love with Gwendolen Fairfax, but his mysterious origin prevents their marriage. The revelation that Jack is Algernon’s long-lost brother eventually clears the way for him to marry Gwendolen.