First place Quote by Angela Carter
““If women allow themselves to be consoled for their culturally determined lack of access to the modes of intellectual debate by the invocation of hypothetical great goddesses, they are simply flattering themselves into submission (a technique often used on them by men). All the mythic versions of women, from the myth of the redeeming purity of the virgin to that of the healing, reconciliatory mother, are consolatory nonsenses; and consolatory nonsense seems to me a fair definition of myth, anyway. Mother goddesses are just as silly a notion as father gods. If a revival of the myths gives women emotional satisfaction, it does so at the price of obscuring the real conditions of life. This is why they were invented in the first place.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Sade of the Woman, Angela Carter, 1979
The quote critiques how mythic idealizations of women serve to pacify and distract from real social inequities, turning empowerment into passive acceptance.
In simple terms: Myths about women keep them passive and hide real problems.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge comforting myths that limit freedom.
Themes
feminism
myth critique
gender politics
empowerment
Mood
critical
defiant
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
feminist
When to use this quote
- activism
- education
- policy reform
- personal reflection
- media analysis
Key Concepts
Patriarchal narrative
mythical archetypes
social conditioning
Questions to Reflect On
- How do comforting myths shape your view of gender roles?
- What alternatives can replace mythic narratives with realistic empowerment?
A Different Perspective
Myths can provide emotional comfort, making them hard to reject even when harmful.
![“To whom does Mataji (Mother Goddess) appear? It is to the one who becomes natural and spontaneous [sahaj swabhavi]. Mataji is said to have come if the mind, speech and the body become naturally blissful. It can be said that the natural spontaneous energies (adhya shakti) have arisen.” quote by Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f7f/dada-bhagwan-31_body_to-whom-does-mataji-mother-goddess-appea_973964.jpg)
