How is the tension between Jack's created identity and his true origins resolved?

• A. The truth of his parentage is revealed, legitimizing his social standing and enabling marriage.
• B. He continues to live under a false name with no repercussions.
• C. The truth is revealed to the audience only in a final twist.
• D. The truth becomes irrelevant as marriage proceeds.

Answer: (A)

The tension is dissolved when Jack’s true origins are revealed and shown to make him a legitimate heir. In Wilde’s world, social position hinges on birth and inheritance as much as on reputation, so once it’s established that Jack is the rightful nephew of Lady Bracknell’s sister (the legitimate heir to the estate), his “created” identity as a worldly, free-spirited bachelor aligns with his real position. This legitimacy clears the path for him to marry Gwendolen, because the obstacle of his uncertain lineage is removed. It isn’t just a twist meant for the audience; the characters act on this new information, confirming that rightful lineage and social acceptance are what resolve the conflict between who he pretends to be and who he actually is.