--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The allegation that English girls had no…" description: "\"“The allegation that English girls had no conversation must be true; but theirs was a SPEAKING silence. Their eyes and smiles were eloquent! She hoped ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed1/edith-wharton-512_communication_the-allegation-that-english-girls-had-no_89529.jpg" --- # The allegation that English girls had no conversation must… ![“The allegation that English girls had no conversation must be true; but theirs was a SPEAKING silence. Their eyes and smiles were eloquent! She hoped it would teach their own girls that they need not chatter like magpies.” quote by Edith Wharton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed1/edith-wharton-512_communication_the-allegation-that-english-girls-had-no_89529.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed1/edith-wharton-512_communication_the-allegation-that-english-girls-had-no_89529.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed1/edith-wharton-512_communication_the-allegation-that-english-girls-had-no_89529.jpg) > ““The allegation that English girls had no conversation must be true; but theirs was a SPEAKING silence. Their eyes and smiles were eloquent! She hoped it would teach their own girls that they need not chatter like magpies.”” [Edith Wharton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-wharton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. English girls communicated through subtle, non‑verbal cues; their silence was expressive, challenging the notion that speech equals communication. **In simple terms:** Silence can be eloquent. Key Takeaway Non‑verbal communication matters. Themes communication gender silence cultural norms Mood reflective observational Type literary cultural critique When to use this quote - historical literature analysis - cross‑cultural studies Key Concepts body language social expectation Practical Applications - teaching non‑verbal cues - writing character dialogue Questions to Reflect On - What does a 'speaking silence' reveal about power dynamics? - How do modern societies value verbal vs. non‑verbal expression? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence/) ## Related quotes > [“It was amusement enough to be with a group of fearless and talkative girls, who said new things in a new language, who were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-wharton/it-was-amusement-enough-to-be-with-a-group-of-fearless-and-talkative/) [Edith Wharton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-wharton/) > [Have a cup of coffee and a conversation with a True Hippie…And Your day will not betray you a of peaceful day... ®®®' xxggt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-trujillo/have-a-cup-of-coffee-and-a-conversation-with-a-true-hippie-and-your/) George Trujillo > [Conversation in its true meaning isn't all wagging the tongue; sometimes it is a deeply shared silence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robertson-davies/conversation-in-its-true-meaning-isn-t-all-wagging-the-tongue/) [Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robertson-davies/) > [“The great charm of conversation consists less in the display of one’s own wit and intelligence, than in the power to draw forth the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-great-charm-of-conversation-consists-less-in-the-display-of-one-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's such an overused phrase: 'to be part of the conversation.' 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