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A toast," Smooth Kitty cried, feeling almost giddy, "to…

“A toast," Smooth Kitty cried, feeling almost giddy, "to self-government. Saint Etheldreda's School for Young Ladies will be run by young ladies from this point forward. Hear, hear!" Great applause. "To independence!" added Pocked Louise. "No fussy old widows telling us when not to speak, and how…” quote by Julie Berry
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““A toast," Smooth Kitty cried, feeling almost giddy, "to self-government. Saint Etheldreda's School for Young Ladies will be run by young ladies from this point forward. Hear, hear!" Great applause. "To independence!" added Pocked Louise. "No fussy old widows telling us when not to speak, and how to set the spoons when an Earl's niece comes to supper. And telling us to leave scientific experiment to the men." Teacup toasts in support of Louise. "To freedom!" chimed in Disgraceful Mary Jane. "No curfews and evil eyes and lectures on morals and propriety." Loud, if nervous, cheering. "To womankind," proclaimed Stout Alice. "Each of us girls free to be what she wishes to be, without glum and crotchety Placketts trying to make us into what we're not." Tremendous excitement. "To sisterhood," said Dear Roberta, "and standing by each other, no matter what.””

Julie Berry

About This Quote

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

A group of young women celebrate autonomy, rejecting patriarchal constraints and embracing mutual support.

In simple terms: Women demand freedom and solidarity.

Key Takeaway

Champion self‑determination and sisterhood.

Themes

freedom solidarity gender equality rebellion empowerment

Mood

hopeful defiant inspirational

Type

speech dialogue fictional excerpt

When to use this quote

  • school governance
  • student activism
  • friendship circles
  • community building

Key Concepts

feminism collective identity social critique

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we sustain solidarity beyond celebration?
  • What obstacles arise when challenging entrenched gender norms?
A Different Perspective

May overlook practical challenges of implementing true equality.

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