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The priest then turning toward the bride, inquired: "Wilt…

“The priest then turning toward the bride, inquired: "Wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband, etc., etc., so long as ye both shall live?" To which the bride, throwing aside her veil, answered, firmly: "No! Not if he were the last man and I the last woman on the face of the earth and the…” quote by E.D.E.N. Southworth
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““The priest then turning toward the bride, inquired: "Wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband, etc., etc., so long as ye both shall live?" To which the bride, throwing aside her veil, answered, firmly: "No! Not if he were the last man and I the last woman on the face of the earth and the human race was about to become extinct and the angel of Gabriel came down from above to ask it of me as a personal favor." The effect of this outburst, this revelation, this explosion, may be imagined but can never be adequately described.””

E.D.E.N. Southworth

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A bride defiantly rejects marriage even under the most extreme, apocalyptic scenario, emphasizing personal agency over societal expectations.

In simple terms: She says no despite any circumstance.

Key Takeaway

Assert personal choice.

Themes

individualism marriage agency defiance

Mood

defiant empowering

Type

philosophical literary dialogue

When to use this quote

  • wedding vows
  • family pressure
  • personal boundaries
  • extreme hypotheticals

Key Concepts

feminism autonomy social norms

Questions to Reflect On

  • What values guide your decisions when faced with societal pressure?
  • How do you balance personal autonomy with communal expectations?
A Different Perspective

May overlook practical consequences of absolute defiance.

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