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Every woman Quote by Elizabeth Goudge

“There was always a little difficulty as to who should decorate what, all the ladies having the lowest opinion of each other's decorative powers. There was especial difficulty over the side chapel vases . . . If there is one thing in the world that every woman is quite sure no other woman but…” quote by Elizabeth Goudge
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““There was always a little difficulty as to who should decorate what, all the ladies having the lowest opinion of each other's decorative powers. There was especial difficulty over the side chapel vases . . . If there is one thing in the world that every woman is quite sure no other woman but herself can do it is vases. . . The vases on the high altar were of course, as always, the duty of the wife or daughter of the Canon in residence (though goodness knew that poor Nell Roderick could no more make dahlia stick upright than fly), but the side chapel vases were only filled on benefactors' day and there was no real precedence as to who did them. Mrs Elphinstone, as wife of the Senior Canon, naturally thought she should, and Miss Roderick thought she should because she was doing the high altar vases and might as well do the lot together, and Mrs Allenby thought she should because she had once been to the Scilly Isles and therefore must know more about flowers than anyone else, and no one knew why Mrs Phillips, who was only the organists's wife, thought she should . . . The Archdeacon had no female dependents.””

Elizabeth Goudge

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge, 1929

The passage satirizes the petty rivalries among women over decorative duties, exposing how social expectations create unnecessary competition.

In simple terms: Women compete over trivial tasks due to social expectations.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and avoid petty competition.

Themes

social expectations gender roles competition humor

Mood

reflective lighthearted

Type

satirical observational

When to use this quote

  • community projects
  • home decor decisions
  • team collaborations
  • event planning

Key Concepts

social dynamics female rivalry cultural norms

Questions to Reflect On

  • What underlying social pressures fuel these disputes?
  • How can groups foster collaborative decision‑making?
A Different Perspective

Such rivalries can waste time and strain relationships, hindering cooperation.

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