Landscapes and features are important because they contribute significantly to our well-being and quality of life. They provide the broader context within which we live our lives. Living within aesthetically pleasing and culturally meaningful landscapes enhances our sense of wellbeing. Visiting largely undeveloped landscapes enables people to re-connect with nature, to refresh their minds and bodies and to gain a greater appreciation of New Zealand's natural heritage. Accessible natural landscapes within close proximity of urban areas, such as the Waitakere Ranges in Auckland and Banks Peninsula in Christchurch, play an important role in increasing the quality of life within those cities. Iconic features such as the volcanic cones in Auckland also contribute to the visual identities of New Zealand's cities and settled areas. For tangata whenua, the ongoing ability to associate with valued cultural landscapes and to access natural resources within these landscapes for cultural harvest are important elements of cultural well-being.
The lines quoted in question are taken from "Importance of Being Earnest"
The essence is that the writer is criticizing the action of people especially women for their behavior in public. He has done that in metaphorical way and quoting the practice of women doing flirt with husbands on public places during Victorian Era. He said that just like there is no need of washing a white cloth similarly women don’t need to flirt with those , whom they already love
The noun phrases are "These three days", "their efforts to wipe away" and "Each decoration", while the verb phrases are "have been celebrating" and "are considered".
