Oh, I am so sick of the young men of the present day!”…
““Oh, I am so sick of the young men of the present day!” exclaimed she, rattling away at the instrument. “Poor, puny things, not fit to stir a step beyond papa’s park gates: nor to go even so far without mama’s permission and guardianship! Creatures so absorbed in care about their pretty faces, and their white hands, and their small feet; as if a man had anything to do with beauty! As if loveliness were not the special prerogative of woman—her legitimate appanage and heritage! I grant an ugly woman is a blot on the fair face of creation; but as to the gentlemen, let them be solicitous to possess only strength and valour: let their motto be:—Hunt, shoot, and fight: the rest is not worth a fillip. Such should be my device, were I a man.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
She criticizes contemporary men’s preoccupation with appearance and lack of valor, urging a return to strength and purpose.
In simple terms: She condemns shallow men, urging strength.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate inner strength over superficial concerns.
Themes
gender
society
beauty
strength
masculinity
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
literary
social
When to use this quote
- social commentary
- gender studies
- personal empowerment
Key Concepts
feminism
social critique
identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance beauty and strength today?
- What defines true masculinity?
A Different Perspective
Her view reflects 19th‑century gender norms, not modern equality.