This play present many humorous conflicts such as dual identities of the characters Jack and Algernon. Both characters have an alternate identity that they use in the opposite area of life. Jack who is from the country uses the Identity of Earnest as an excuse to visit court, and Algernon uses the identity of Bunbury as an excuse to leave the court and visit the country.
Althought this is a clever sceme that both employ it is bound to present major conflict in the future as one can only hold a false identity for so long. This arising conlfict becomes apparent when Jack proposes to Gwendolen. She shows great affection towards Jack's false name of Earnest. "The moment Algernon mentioned to me that he had a friend called Ernest, I know I was destined to love you"(129). Once Jack realizes that gwendolen is so drawn to his false name the pressure of his false identity begins to build. "Personally, darling, to speak quite candidly, I don't much care about the name of Ernest... I must say there are much nicer names. I think, Jack, for instance, a charming name."(129). His false identity is putting pressure upon him, this is apparent in this quote.
Other problems presented in this act are less important but reveal a significant amount about each character. The less serious dilemma of missing cucumber sandwiches provides a humorous problem that is slickly covered up by both Algernon and Lane's quick thinking and wit. "There were no cucumbers at the market this morning sire, I went down twice, No Cucumber!, No sir, not even for ready money."(126). This dilemma is overcome by their wit, it also reveals Algernon's view on the truth, as he comes up with such a clever lie. It is shown that Algernon takes pride in his bunburying which includes the use of lies. It is this cleverness that enables them to execute this successfully, at least for a while.
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