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My mother had handed down respect for the possibilities...and the will to grasp them.
Alice Walker
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote highlights the importance of a mother's influence in cultivating respect for opportunities and the determination to pursue them.

Alice Walker reflects on the profound impact a mother can have on her child's outlook toward life. By instilling a sense of respect for the possibilities that life offers and the willpower needed to chase those opportunities, a mother lays the foundation for her child's future success and resilience. This quote emphasizes the vital role of family in shaping one's ambitions and values.

Themes

MotherRespectPossibilitiesDeterminationInfluence

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about resilience, one might quote Walker to emphasize the importance of familial support.

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One white man on the platform in South Carolina asked us where we were going--we had got off the train to get some fresh air and to dust the grit and dust out of our clothes. When we said Africa he looked offended and tickled too. Niggers going to Africa, he said to his wife. Now I have seen everything.
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