Final answer:
In 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' Cecily and Gwendolen's exchange reveals their self-contradicting values on city and country life, reflecting their superficial and fluid social values, especially when faced with competition over a fiancé.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the exchange between Cecily and Gwendolen in Act II of Oscar Wilde's 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' both women display self-contradicting values related to their views on city and country life. Gwendolen initially praises the superiority of the city with its 'well-bred' society while denouncing the country as dull and unrefined. However, upon believing she may have to share her fiancé with Cecily, she quickly shifts to favor the natural and unspoiled aspects of country life, suggesting it offers a form of moral sanctuary.
Similarly, Cecily exalts the virtues and beauty of rural living, only to then romanticize the excitement and opportunities found within city life once she perceives a threat to her engagement. These remarks reveal the characters' superficial and fluid social values, where their preferences flip as quickly as their allegiances when faced with social competition.