If one harbours anywhere in one's mind a nationalistic loyalty or hatred, certain facts, although in a sense known to be true, are inadmissible.
George OrwellRead
It had never occurred to him that the body of a woman of fifty, blown up to monstrous dimensions by childbearing, then hardened, roughened by work til it was coarse in the grain like an overripe turnip, could be beautiful. But is was so, and after all, he thought, why not?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the often-overlooked beauty in the physical form of women who have endured life's challenges.
George Orwell's quote reflects the societal perceptions of beauty and the tendency to overlook the inherent beauty in the bodies of women who have lived rich, full lives, marked by experiences such as motherhood and hard work. It challenges conventional standards of beauty, suggesting that beauty can be found in the authenticity and character of one's physical form, no matter the societal norms or expectations placed upon them.
Themes
BeautyBodyWomanLifeExperiencePerception
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about redefining beauty standards at a community meeting.
More from George Orwell
All quotes →The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.
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Political writing in our time consists almost entirely of prefabricated phrases bolted together like the pieces of a child's Meccano set. It is the unavoidable result of self-censorship. To write in plain, vigorous language one has to think fearlessly, and if one thinks fearlessly one cannot be politically orthodox.
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Not to expose your true feelings to an adult seems to be instinctive from the age of seven or eight onwards.
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As with the Christian religion, the worst advertisement for Socialism is its adherents.
George OrwellRead
It is fatal to look hungry. It makes people want to kick you.
George OrwellRead
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