Bunbury is a fictional character created by Algernon Moncrieff in Oscar Wilde’s play, The Importance of Being Earnest. Algernon uses Bunbury as an elaborate ruse to escape social obligations and responsibilities.
The concept of Bunburying serves as a comedic device that reflects the themes of deceit and the frivolity of societal expectations in Victorian society. Algernon pretends that Bunbury is his sickly friend in the country, allowing him to slip away from London whenever he desires. This clever manipulation of identity highlights the characters’ struggles with authenticity and the pressures to conform to societal norms.
Ultimately, Bunbury embodies the idea of escapism, as the characters often seek to create alternative lives that align with their desires rather than the constraints imposed by society. Through Algernon’s character and his invented friend, Wilde critiques the absurdities of Victorian social conventions.