From the passage in Oscar Wilde’s play The Importance of Being Earnest, the reader can conclude that Cecily is an independent young woman who is ready to act on her own desires. From her conversation with Gwendolen, it’s evident that Cecily is quite confident in her beliefs and is not easily swayed by the opinions of others.
At the beginning of the conversation, Gwendolen insists that she has a right to marry Ernest because of her social standing. Cecily rejects this and states that “I don’t accept such impertinence” and “It is not the custom in good society for young ladies to accept proposals of marriage.” In this, Cecily is demonstrating her own sense of personal agency and independence. She is not willing to accept a proposal simply because of Gwendolen’s social status, and she stands firmly by her belief that marriage should be more than a social transaction.
The passage also hints at Cecily’s romantic desires. Though she has never met Ernest, she has dreamed of him and fantasized about the kind of man he must be. This is an indication that Cecily is looking for something more meaningful in a relationship than just a social transaction. She is looking to connect with someone on a deeper and more meaningful level.
The passage further suggests that Cecily is willing to act on her desires. She asserts that she will marry Algernon, despite his deception, because she is drawn to the idea of the man she believes him to be. It could be said that Cecily is bravely and willfully following her heart and acting on her desires.
Overall, the passage suggests that Cecily is an independent and strong-willed young woman who is looking for something more meaningful in a relationship than just a social transaction. She is willing to act on her desires and is not easily swayed by the opinions of others.