Cunning Quote by Esther M. Friesner
““I’ll never call you ‘girl’ again,” Argus said to me. “A woman twice your age would envy your cunning!” “If I were still ‘Glaucus,’ you’d say I was smart or clever, not cunning,” I chided him. “Pfff! What does one little word matter?” “So you won’t mind if I call the Argo a ferryboat?” I replied sweetly.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: “The Argo’s Ferry” by Esther M. Friesner, 1998
A witty exchange explores gendered language, power dynamics, and the triviality of labels.
In simple terms: Words about gender can be playful yet powerful.
Key Takeaway
Question the impact of naming.
Themes
gender
language
power
humor
Mood
thoughtful
playful
Type
dialogue
satire
When to use this quote
- workplace banter
- literary dialogue
- social critique
Key Concepts
feminist critique
semantic play
Questions to Reflect On
- What does calling someone “girl” imply?
- How do we shift language to empower?
A Different Perspective
Labels can reinforce stereotypes if unchecked.
