Children Quote by Betty Smith
““engaged," he said bitterly. "Everybody's engaged. Everybody in a small town is engaged or married or in trouble. There's nothing else to do in a small town. You go to school. You start walking home with a girl-- maybe for no other reason than that she lives out your way. You grow up. She invites you to parties at her home. You go to other parties-- eople ask you to bring her along; you're expected to take her home. Soon no one else takes her out. Everybody thinks she's your girl and then...well, if you don't take her around, you feel like a heel. And then, because there's nothing else to do, you marry. And it works out all right if she's a decent girl (and most of the time she is) and you're a halfway decent fellow. No great passion but a kind of affectionate contentment. And then children come along and you give them the great love you kind of miss in each other. And the children gain in the long run.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, 1943
In small towns, limited social options lead to routine relationships and marriages driven by convenience rather than passion, resulting in steady, affectionate lives and generational love.
In simple terms: Limited choices produce steady, affectionate relationships and family love.
Key Takeaway
Accept routine, nurture affection, and value family bonds.
Themes
relationships
marriage
community
contentment
Mood
reflective
nostalgic
Type
narrative
observational
When to use this quote
- small-town life
- courtship
- family planning
- parenting
- community events
Key Concepts
social dynamics
convenience
generational love
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “affectionate contentment” mean to you?
- How can one seek deeper passion in limited environments?
A Different Perspective
May overlook deeper desires and personal growth.
