- “Divorces are made in heaven.” (Act I)
- "The truth is rarely pure and and never simple."(Act I)
- "He has nothing, but he looks everything."(Act III)
Puns
- "You should get married. A misanthrope I can understand-a womanthrope, never!"(Act II)
- “They are approaching. That's very forward of them.” (Act III)
- "On the contrary, Aunt Augusta, I've now realised for the first time in my life the vital Importance if Being Earnest."(Act III)
Allusions
- Gorgon: In Greek mythology, the three Gorgon sisters, Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa who had snakes as hair and had the ability to turn anyone who looked at them into stone are considered Gorgon.
- "Never met such a Gorgon...I don't really know what a Gorgon is like, but I a quite sure that Lady Bracknell is one."(Act I)
- Egeria: She is a Roman mythological water nymph known for giving wisdom.
- "But I must not disturb Egeria and her pupil any longer."(Act II)
- Quixotic: It is an adjective that means not sensible about practical matters, but it is based on the Spanish character Don Quixote who is so intrigued by the romance of noble deeds, but he fails miserably and comically at them.
- "It is rather Quixotic of you. But I think you should try."(Act II)
Symbols
- Muffins show that Algernon is wasteful. Running out of muffins symbolizes running out of money as well.
- Cucumber sandwiches display the lavishness of the aristocracy.
- Food represents the source of a conflict.
- Ernest and Bunbury symbolize empty promises deceit.
- Miss Prism shows different perspectives to one issue/topic; she took one person and made him three different people.
Other Literary Devices
- Metaphor: “Were I fortunate enough to be Miss Prism’s pupil, I would hang upon her lips.” (Act II)
- Verbal Irony: “you are the most earnest looking man I ever saw in my life” (Act I)
- Situational Irony: Jack: "Well, yes, I must admit I smoke."