The Importance of Being Ernest

I found it really interesting that the characters need to create an alter-ego to participate in aspects of life that seem more appealing to them than their social norms. Jack talks about how he wants to go into town, but he can't do that with a ward around (because he has to uphold certain social standards to model them for her).
So he creates this alternate personality, and even falls in love with a woman while he is presenting himself as this name.
On the other hand, Algernon lives this life of constant social interaction. He may not be the best host or anything, but he knows what is expected of him - and it is not expected that he will leave for weeks at a time to go to the country and just 'chill' all alone. So he creates this story about a permanent invalid so that he can get out of things. No one is going to contest the fact that you need to go take care of your friend who never leaves the house, and no one wants to accompany you...in this way, the fake friend is an easy 'out' for anything that he doesn't want to do.

They've created these alter egos as stories to excuse their behaviors. It is interesting to note that they have done it for different reasons, Jack wants to escape the country, and Algernon wants to live there. But somehow they have met in the middle about this, and I am curious to see where their relationship goes, and whether or not they are 'found out' and chided for their behavior.