Every day Quote by D.H. Lawrence
““And Miriam also refused to be approached. She was afraid of being set at nought, as by her own brothers. The girl was romantic in her soul. Everywhere was a Walter Scott heroine being loved by men with helmets or with plumes in their caps. She herself was something of a princess turned into a swine-girl in her own imagination. And she was afraid lest this boy, who, nevertheless, looked something like a Walter Scott hero, who could paint and speak French, and knew what algebra meant, and who went by train to Nottingham every day, might consider her simply as the swine-girl, unable to perceive the princess beneath; so she held aloof.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Women in Love by D.H. Lawrence, 1920
Miriam fears being reduced to a lowly image and longs to be seen as the noble princess she imagines herself to be.
In simple terms: She worries others will only see her flaws, not her inner worth.
Key Takeaway
Seek validation from within, not from others.
Themes
identity
self‑esteem
romantic idealism
social perception
Mood
anxious
hopeful
reflective
Type
literary
psychological
romantic
When to use this quote
- first love
- social gatherings
- artistic circles
- academic environments
Key Concepts
self‑concept
imagination
class perception
gender roles
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance self‑image with how others see you?
- What inner qualities can you nurture beyond external validation?
A Different Perspective
Her fear may stem from internalized class anxieties, limiting authentic connection.
