Till now, I could not have supposed it possible to be…
““Till now, I could not have supposed it possible to be mistaken as to a girl's being out or not. A girl not out, has always the same sort of dress: a close bonnet, for instance; looks very demure, and never says a word. You may smile, but it is so, I assure you; and except that it is sometimes carried a little too far, it is all very proper. Girls should be quiet and modest. The most objectionable part is, that the alteration of manners on being introduced into company is frequently too sudden. They sometimes pass in such very little time from reserve to quite the opposite - to confidence! That is the faulty part of the present system. ””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Society expects women to be modest and silent, but sudden shifts in confidence can be seen as improper.
In simple terms: Women are pressured to stay modest, yet confidence is often judged harshly.
Key Takeaway
Balance authenticity with social expectations.
Themes
society
gender roles
modesty
confidence
social norms
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
literary
social commentary
When to use this quote
- formal gatherings
- courtship
- public speaking
- first impressions
Key Concepts
feminist critique
social conformity
behavioral expectations
Questions to Reflect On
- Should women be allowed to express confidence openly?
- How can societies support authentic self‑expression?
A Different Perspective
The view reflects historical bias, not modern gender equality.