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Contests Quote by Donald Barthelme

“Will you be wanting to contest the divorce?" I asked Mrs. Davis. "I should think not," she said calmly, "although I suppose on of us should, for the fun of the thing. An uncontested divorce always seems to me contrary to the spirit of divorce.” quote by Donald Barthelme
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“Will you be wanting to contest the divorce?" I asked Mrs. Davis. "I should think not," she said calmly, "although I suppose on of us should, for the fun of the thing. An uncontested divorce always seems to me contrary to the spirit of divorce.”

Donald Barthelme

About This Quote

Source Short story: "The Balloon", 1975

Divorce should be contested to honor its transformative nature, not avoided for convenience.

In simple terms: Contest divorce to respect its purpose.

Key Takeaway

Embrace the process, not just the outcome.

Themes

relationships conflict tradition

Mood

reflective critical

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • marriage counseling
  • legal proceedings
  • family dynamics

Key Concepts

ethical deliberation personal agency

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why might people prefer an uncontested divorce?
  • What does “spirit of divorce” imply?
A Different Perspective

Avoiding conflict may ignore deeper issues.

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