The Importance of Being Earnest

At the end of Act Three, in this scene, the behavior of Cecily and Gwendolen toward one another makes sense?

pp.69-82

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In this scene, Wilde's continues the use of rapid contrasts and shifts. Gwendolen and Cecily change their minds repeatedly at the start of the act, vowing not to speak to the men before immediately doing just that. This is summed up no better than when Gwendolen asks Cecily if they should forgive them; Cecily replies "Yes. I mean, no." Wilde is not merely using these reversals for humor; he shows how absurd romantic decisions of the heart become when entwined with even more absurd social conventions.

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