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MERESTON: But you break my heart. LADY FREDERICK: My dear…

“MERESTON: But you break my heart. LADY FREDERICK: My dear, men have said that to me ever since I was fifteen, but I've never noticed that in consequence they ate their dinner less heartily.” quote by W. Somerset Maugham
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““MERESTON: But you break my heart. LADY FREDERICK: My dear, men have said that to me ever since I was fifteen, but I've never noticed that in consequence they ate their dinner less heartily.””

W. Somerset Maugham

About This Quote

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

A woman dismisses a lover's heartbreak as a common, trivial complaint, highlighting emotional detachment and social norms about gendered emotional expression.

In simple terms: She downplays his pain as ordinary.

Key Takeaway

Recognize when emotional pain is dismissed.

Themes

gender dynamics emotional expression social expectations

Mood

irry reflective

Type

dialogue dramatic

When to use this quote

  • relationships
  • conflict resolution
  • personal boundaries

Key Concepts

detachment norms communication

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you ever dismiss others' feelings?
  • How do gender expectations shape emotional responses?
A Different Perspective

The comment may trivialize genuine hurt.

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