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Aversion Quote by Fanny Burney

“I have the honour to be quite of your Lordship's opinion," said Mr. Lovel, looking maliciously at Mrs. Selwyn, "for I have an insuperable aversion to strength, either of body or mind, in a female." "Faith, and so have I," said Mr. Coverley; "for egad I'd as soon see a woman chop wood, as hear her…” quote by Fanny Burney
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““I have the honour to be quite of your Lordship's opinion," said Mr. Lovel, looking maliciously at Mrs. Selwyn, "for I have an insuperable aversion to strength, either of body or mind, in a female." "Faith, and so have I," said Mr. Coverley; "for egad I'd as soon see a woman chop wood, as hear her chop logic." "So would every man in his senses," said Lord Merton; "for a woman wants nothing to recommend her but beauty and good nature; in every thing else she is either impertinent or unnatural. For my part, deuce take me if ever I wish to hear a word of sense from a woman as long as I live!" "It has always been agreed," said Mrs. Selwyn, looking round her with the utmost contempt, "that no man ought to be connected with a woman whose understanding is superior to his own. Now I very much fear, that to accommodate all this good company, according to such a rule, would be utterly impracticable, unless we should chuse subjects from Swift's hospital of idiots.””

Fanny Burney

About This Quote

Source Novel: Evelina, 1778

The passage satirizes gender bias, portraying men who distrust women's intellectual abilities and prefer superficial traits, highlighting societal sexism.

In simple terms: Men dismiss women's intellect, valuing beauty over mind.

Key Takeaway

Challenge gender stereotypes.

Themes

gender bias satire

Mood

critical ironic

Type

literary social commentary

When to use this quote

  • Education
  • workplace
  • politics
  • family dynamics

Key Concepts

Patriarchal attitudes social critique

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why do societies devalue women's intellect?
  • How can we promote gender equality?
A Different Perspective

Some may argue women are inherently different, but this is a flawed premise.

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