Rosamond, accustomed from her childhood to an extravagant…
““Rosamond, accustomed from her childhood to an extravagant household, thought that good housekeeping consisted simply in ordering the best of everything––nothing else 'answered;' and Lydgate supposed that 'if things were done at all, they must be done properly'–he did not see how they were to live otherwise. If each head of household expenditure had been mentioned to him beforehand, he would have probably observed that 'it could hardly come to much,' and if any one had suggested a saving on a particular article–for example, the substitution of cheap fish for dear–it would have appeared to him simply a penny-wise, mean notion.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Wealthy households assume proper living means only the best, ignoring practicality and saving.
In simple terms: Rich think only the best is proper.
Key Takeaway
Balance quality with practicality.
Themes
class
economics
domestic life
values
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
literary
social commentary
When to use this quote
- budgeting
- family budgeting
- home management
Key Concepts
materialism
frugality
social expectations
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you define “proper” living?
- When should you prioritize saving over luxury?
A Different Perspective
Idealism can ignore real constraints.