Attention Quote by Catherynne M. Valente
“Marya Morevna! Don't you know anything? Girls must be very, very careful to care only for ribbons and magazines and wedding rings. They must sweep their hearts clean of anything but kisses and theater and dancing. They must never read Pushkin; they must never say clever things; they must never have sly eyes or wear their hair loose and wander around barefoot, or they will draw his attention!”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, 2022
The passage critiques restrictive gender expectations that confine women to superficial roles and forbid intellectual or physical freedom.
In simple terms: It warns against limiting women to narrow, decorative expectations.
Key Takeaway
Challenge restrictive norms and pursue authentic interests.
Themes
gender roles
feminism
societal expectations
freedom
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
social commentary
feminist
When to use this quote
- education
- career choices
- artistic pursuits
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
patriarchy
identity
self‑expression
Questions to Reflect On
- What expectations have you resisted?
- How can society support diverse female identities?
A Different Perspective
It may generalize women's experiences and ignore individual agency.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
