I have been looking at the marriage service in the…
““I have been looking at the marriage service in the Prayer-book, and it seems to me very humiliating that a giver-away should be required at all. According to the ceremony as there printed, my bridegroom chooses me of his own will and pleasure; but I don’t choose him. Somebody gives me to him, like a she-ass or she-goat, or any other domestic animal.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Critiques the marriage ceremony's language of transfer, likening it to treating a bride as property given away, which feels degrading.
In simple terms: The ceremony treats the bride like a handed‑over object.
Key Takeaway
Marriage rites can objectify participants.
Themes
marriage
gender
ritual
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
social
When to use this quote
- wedding planning
- feminist critique workshops
- religious reform debates
Key Concepts
social power dynamics
Practical Applications
- reframe vows for mutual consent
- promote egalitarian ceremony language
Questions to Reflect On
- How can ceremonies honor agency?
- What alternatives exist to the 'giving away' metaphor?
A Different Perspective
Some traditions view the language symbolically, not literally, reducing perceived offense.