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A strong woman is a woman at work, cleaning out the…

“A strong woman is a woman at work, cleaning out the cesspool of the ages, and while she shovels, she talks about how she doesn't mind crying, it opens the ducts of the eyes, and throwing up develops the stomach muscles, and she goes on shoveling with tears in her nose.” quote by Marge Piercy
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“A strong woman is a woman at work, cleaning out the cesspool of the ages, and while she shovels, she talks about how she doesn't mind crying, it opens the ducts of the eyes, and throwing up develops the stomach muscles, and she goes on shoveling with tears in her nose.”

Marge Piercy

About This Quote

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

The quote depicts a woman confronting harsh realities, using emotional release as a source of strength while persisting in difficult labor.

In simple terms: A woman works hard, letting tears fuel her resilience.

Key Takeaway

Embrace hardship and let emotions empower you.

Themes

resilience labor emotional honesty gender

Mood

determined raw inspirational

Type

motivational reflective empowering

When to use this quote

  • activism
  • caregiving
  • personal crisis
  • physical labor

Key Concepts

psychology feminist theory catharsis

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you channel grief into productive action?
  • When does vulnerability become a strength?
A Different Perspective

Emotional release can be draining and may hinder focus if not balanced.

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