The comic spirit is given to us in order that we may analyze, weigh, and clarify things in us which nettle us, or which we are outgrowing, or trying to reshape
Thornton WilderRead
Marriage is a bribe to make a housekeeper think she's a householder.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that marriage can sometimes be a way to superficially elevate one's status in a domestic role.
Thornton Wilder's quote humorously critiques the institution of marriage by implying that it serves to deceive a housekeeper into believing she holds a more significant status as a householder. This suggests a commentary on the dynamics of domestic roles and the social constructions of status and responsibility within marriage, hinting at the underlying complexities of relationships and societal expectations.
Themes
MarriageRelationshipsHousekeeperStatusDomestic
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about the roles within a family, one might quote Wilder to illustrate traditional views on marriage.
More from Thornton Wilder
All quotes →A man looks pretty small at a wedding, George. All those good women standing shoulder to shoulder, making sure that the knot's tied in a mighty public way.
Thornton WilderRead
Good-by, Good-by, world. Good-by, Grover's Corners... Mama and Papa. Good-by to clocks ticking... and Mama's sunflowers. And food and coffee. And new-ironed dresses and hot baths...and sleeping and waking up. Oh, earth, you're too wonderful for anybody to realize you.
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When you're safe at home you wish you were having an adventure; when you're having an adventure you wish you were safe at home.
Thornton WilderRead
Many great writers have been extraordinarily awkward in daily exchange, but the greatest give the impression that their style was nursed by the closest attention to colloquial speech.
Thornton WilderRead
I want you to try and remember what it was like to have been very young. And particularly the days when you were first in love; when you were like a person sleepwalking, and you didn’t quite see the street you were in, and didn’t quite hear everything that was said to you. You’re just a little bit crazy. Will you remember that, please?
Thornton WilderRead
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