Immortal Quote by E. M. Forster
““There is much that is immortal in this medieval lady. The dragons have gone, and so have the knights, but still she lingers in our midst. She reigned in many an early Victorian castle, and was Queen of much early Victorian song. It is sweet to protect her in the intervals of business, sweet to pay her honour when she has cooked our dinner well. But alas! the creature grows degenerate. In her heart also there are springing up strange desires. She too is enamoured of heavy winds, and vast panoramas, and green expanses of the sea. She has marked the kingdom of this world, how full it is of wealth, and beauty, and war--a radiant crust, built around the central fires, spinning towards the receding heavens. Men, declaring that she inspires them to it, move joyfully over the surface, having the most delightful meetings with other men, happy, not because they are masculine, but because they are alive. Before the show breaks up she would like to drop the august title of the Eternal Woman, and go there as her transitory self.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: A Passage to India, E. M. Forster, 1924
The passage reflects on the enduring, yet changing, nature of an idealized feminine figure, blending nostalgia with critique of her evolving desires and societal role.
In simple terms: An old ideal woman changes and still influences people.
Key Takeaway
Recognize both constancy and change in cherished ideals.
Themes
nostalgia
change
gender
society
idealism
Mood
reflective
melancholic
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
poetic
When to use this quote
- literary analysis
- personal reflection
- art criticism
- historical context
Key Concepts
feminine archetype
cultural critique
modernity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance reverence for tradition with acknowledging its flaws?
- What does the “Eternal Woman” symbolize today?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may romanticize a gendered ideal, overlooking real individuals.
