Algernon Moncrieff is a witty and selfish character who is not afraid to stretch the truth in order to benefit himself. ALGERNON: “The truth is rarely pure and never simple. Modern life would be very tedious if it were either, and modern literature a complete impossibility!” Algernon says this in response to Jack explaining why he has made up a younger brother named Earnest, which gives him an excuse to go into town. Jack says that he is telling the whole truth pure and simple and Algernon responds by saying that the truth is never pure and simple. Algernon actually does the same thing and has a fictional friend named Bunbury who always seems to fall ill. This made up friend gives Algernon an excuse to visit the country and he calls himself
