Book characters Quote by Allegra Goodman
““You're a throwback." "To what?" Jess considered this. Hi-tech at work, Emily was paradoxically old-fashioned in her life. She didn't even own a television. "The nineteenth century," Jess concluded. "No. Eighteenth. You can be eighteenth. I'll be nineteenth." "I never pictured you as a Victorian." "No, early nineteenth century," said Jess, who had always been a stickler when it came to imaginary games and books. The Blue Fairy, not Tinker Bell. Lucy, not Susan. Jo, not Amy. Austen, not the Brontes.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Other Side of the Sky by Allegra Goodman, 2000
A character embraces an anachronistic, Victorian aesthetic as a form of personal identity and rebellion against modernity.
In simple terms: Choosing a historical persona to express individuality.
Key Takeaway
Embrace unique quirks.
Themes
identity
nostalgia
rebellion
Mood
playful
reflective
Type
literary
character‑driven
When to use this quote
- fashion choices
- role‑playing games
- social interactions
- creative writing
Key Concepts
historical romanticism
personal narrative
Questions to Reflect On
- How does adopting a past era shape your present self?
- What freedoms does nostalgia provide?
A Different Perspective
May limit genuine self‑expression if used as a mask.
