How is deception developed in Act 2?

• 'Mr Worthing has many troubles in his life... Idle merriment and triviality would be out of place in this conversation' (28) ironic, deceived/naive Jack does in fact have this in his life (double lives). Developed as being believed, see innocence in Jack and believe his lies intently
• 'young man his brother' (28) again successfully been deceived, sheltered lives believe Jack's lies and his 'brother'. Revolve their lives around deceit 
• 'unfortunate young man his brother seems to be' (30) developing empathy for fictional character- deceived 
• 'Mr Ernest Worthing has just driven' 'Uncle Jack's brother' (31) deception is elevated into reality, finally meeting this 'brother'- lies Algernon in disguise
• 'I am your cousin Cecily' (31) increasing deception, lying to her face, misleading her . Deception is slowly being developed to form a relationship
• 'you have certainly been deceiving us all in a very inexcusable manner' (31) irony played upon, he is deceiving them in this way, 'I hope you have not been leading a double life' LIES HE HAS, ironic
• 'I have been very bad in my own small way' (31) hinting at deception, teasing the theme through, obvious irony, slowly developing it
• 'I have a business appointment' more deceit, one lie leads to another- huge web of deceit and lies intertwining 
• 'No married man is ever attractive except to his wife' deceived, affairs do happen, secrecy, sheltered lifestyle
• 'Your brother Ernest is dead? Quite Dead' (34) what Jack hoped to be the end of the deceit, audience knows not the case, backfires on him. Wanted to end double life and all the lies.
• 'I offer my sincere condolence' reinforcing their trust and believing of Jack's lies, empathy
• 'I would like to be christened myself' deceive Gwendolen, willing to lie to her. Building relationship on lies- develop plots, unite them
• 'We have been engaged for the last three months' deceiving herself, like Jack and Algernon are. Believes her own lies/hopes
• 'Oh any name you like -Algernon- for instance...' 'But I don't like the name Algernon' 'I fear I might not be able to give you my undivided attention' deceiving her, his name is Algernon, reality of lies setting in
• 'Ernest has a very strong upright nature. He is the very soul of truth and honour. Disloyalty would be as impossible to him as deception' (45) ironic, Jack has been lying to her all along- deceiving her. Relationship built upon lies
• 'I am going to be his' (G) 'Mr Ernest and I are engaged to be married' (C) (46) deception is developed, harsh reality sets in, can't lie forever
• 'This is Uncle Jack' 'is my cousin Mr Algernon' Lies revealed, deception is unveiled prominent theme
• 'a gross deception has been practiced on both of us' (49) deception unveiled

Summary

Wilde carefully sculpts his play to slowly tease and develop the theme of deception, this is clearly demonstrated within Act 2. At the beginning the reader is introduced to Jack's other 'double life' where Cecily awaits. Her tutor, Miss Prism, highlights a firm belief of Jack's brother who does not actually exist- she states 'Mr Worthing has many troubles in his life... Idle merriment and triviality would be out of place in this conversation' however the reader knows this is in fact the opposite. It shows that they believe and think he is honest. Wilde creates a sheltered and naive world in which they live, revolving themselves around Jack and his deceit. It could be said that for Cecily this world is almost like a dream state drawn away from harsh reality with a certain innocence about it. This has been established through deception.