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The worst of Bath was the number of its plain women…

“The worst of Bath was the number of its plain women. ... He had frequently observed, as he walked, that one handsome face would be followed by thirty, or five-and-thirty frights.” quote by Jane Austen
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““The worst of Bath was the number of its plain women. ... He had frequently observed, as he walked, that one handsome face would be followed by thirty, or five-and-thirty frights.””

Jane Austen

About This Quote

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

A satirical comment on the abundance of ordinary women in Bath, implying a lack of distinction among them.

In simple terms: Bath seemed full of unremarkable women.

Key Takeaway

Notice and appreciate genuine individuality.

Themes

society gender class satire

Mood

wry observational

Type

literary satirical

When to use this quote

  • social gatherings
  • dating scenes
  • historical tours
  • literary analysis

Key Concepts

social observation humor character assessment

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does social setting shape perception of individuals?
  • What criteria define “plain” versus “handsome”?
A Different Perspective

The comment reflects period bias and may overlook women's agency.

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