What is the real explanation for the cigarette case?

• A. It's from his adopted father's granddaughter, who made him guardian to her in his will.
• B. It is a gift from Gwendolen to Jack.
• C. It is a loan that Jack must repay.
• D. It's a joke among friends, with no real significance.

Answer: (B)

In Wilde’s world, small personal objects carry real meaning, especially in romance, because they show how characters act on their feelings in a society built on appearances. The cigarette case is presented as a gift from Gwendolen to Jack, not as a loan or a joke. That makes the case a tangible sign of Gwendolen’s affection and her active involvement in pursuing Jack. It links them in a personal way and underscores the play’s satirical look at courtship, where symbols and gestures matter as much as—often more than—spoken vows. The other ideas don’t fit what’s shown on stage: there’s no plot point about a guardian’s will, it isn’t framed as a debt to be repaid, and treating it as a mere joke would neglect the emotional and social significance Wilde attaches to such gifts.