No matter how well-born, how intelligent, how highly…
“No matter how well-born, how intelligent, how highly educated, how virtuous, how rich, how refined, the women of to-day constitutea political class below that of every man, no matter how base-born, how stupid, how ignorant, how vicious, how poverty-stricken, how brutal. The pauper in the almshouse may vote; the lady who devotes her philanthropic thought to making that almshouse habitable, may not. The tramp who begs cold victuals in the kitchen may vote; the heiress who feeds him and endows universities may not.”
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 critiques systemic gender inequality, highlighting that women, regardless of status or virtue, are denied political agency while men of lower standing retain voting rights.
In simple terms: Gender-based disenfranchisement
Key Takeaway
Political rights are not merit-based
Themes
Gender inequality
Political disenfranchisement
Class disparity
Social justice
Historical sexism
Mood
defiant
critical
urgent
Type
Political
Feminist
Historical
When to use this quote
- Historical voting reforms
- Women's suffrage movements
- Contemporary gender parity debates
- Legal challenges to discriminatory laws
- Academic discussions on feminist theory
Key Concepts
Voting rights
Patriarchal structures
Social hierarchy
Legal discrimination
Practical Applications
- Advocacy for equal voting rights
- Policy analysis of gender discrimination
Questions to Reflect On
- How does gender intersect with class in political rights?
- What mechanisms perpetuate disenfranchisement despite merit?