I am technically "boss" of the family which I am carrying along-but I am grateful to know that it is only technically - that the real authority rests on the other side of the house. It is placed there by a beneficent Providence, who foresaw before I was born, or, if he did not, he has found it out since - that I am not in any way qualified to travel alone.
My mother, she didn't believe in praise. She'd never say anything was great. I think that's quite Northern, to not make people feel too good. I didn't mind if she was proud of me or not, it didn't bother me. I was never trying to please her.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on a mother's pragmatic approach to praise and the impact it had on her child's emotional development.
Victoria Wood's quote highlights her mother's tendency to refrain from giving praise, which she associates with a regional cultural trait. The speaker expresses a sense of independence from seeking validation, suggesting that the absence of overt encouragement did not diminish their self-worth or efforts. This perspective emphasizes resilience and the notion that feelings of pride and validation can come from within rather than external approval.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about personal growth, one might say, 'Like Victoria Wood, I learned to find my own value rather than always seeking it from others.'
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