I pay very little regard...to what any young person says on the subject of marriage. If they profess a disinclination for it, I only set it down that they have not yet seen the right person.
Jane AustenRead
A single woman with a very narrow income must be a ridiculous, disagreeable old maid - the proper sport of boys and girls; but a single woman of good fortune is always respectable, and may be as sensible and pleasant as anybody else.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The societal perceptions of single women vary significantly based on their financial status.
In this quote, Jane Austen highlights the double standard placed on single women, suggesting that a woman's respectability and societal value are often tied to her wealth. A woman with limited financial means is perceived negatively, while a woman of wealth enjoys a higher status, demonstrating the unfairness of gender and economic biases in society.
Themes
SingleWomenSocietyWealthRespectability
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about gender roles in society.
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You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever.
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She hoped to be wise and reasonable in time; but alas! Alas! She must confess to herself that she was not wise yet.
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