Common Quote by Fanny Burney
![“Look at your [English] ladies of quality are they not forever parting with their husbands - forfeiting their reputations - and is their life aught but dissipation? In common genteel life, indeed, you may now and then meet with very fine girls - who have politeness, sense and conversation - but…” quote by Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4ea/fanny-burney-7403_common_look-at-your-english-ladies-of-quality-a_1583480.jpg)
“Look at your [English] ladies of quality are they not forever parting with their husbands - forfeiting their reputations - and is their life aught but dissipation? In common genteel life, indeed, you may now and then meet with very fine girls - who have politeness, sense and conversation - but these are few - and then look at your trademen's daughters - what are they? poor creatures indeed! all pertness, imitation and folly.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Evelina by Fanny Burney, 1778
The passage critiques the limited and often superficial roles women are forced into, contrasting idealized gentlewomen with lower‑status daughters, suggesting both are trapped by societal expectations and moral decay.
In simple terms: Women are confined to shallow roles and judged by reputation.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge restrictive gender norms.
Themes
gender roles
social class
morality
reputation
feminism
Mood
critical
reflective
analytical
Type
literary
social commentary
feminist
When to use this quote
- marriage market
- family expectations
- social gatherings
- education of women
Key Concepts
Patriarchal expectations
social critique
female agency
Questions to Reflect On
- How do modern expectations of gender differ?
- What can be done to expand women’s opportunities?
A Different Perspective
The view reflects its era’s biases and may overlook women’s agency and diversity of experiences.
![“I never pretend to be so superior a being as to be above having and indulging a hobby horse [her journal writing], and while I keep mine within due bounds and limits, nobody, I flatter myself, would wish to deprive me of the poor animal: to be sure, he is not formed for labour, and is rather lame…” quote by Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d52/fanny-burney-7403_animal_i-never-pretend-to-be-so-superior-a-bein_485407.jpg)
![“The laws of custom make our [returning a visit] necessary. O how I hate this vile custom which obliges us to make slaves of ourselves! to sell the most precious property we boast, our time;--and to sacrifice it to every prattling impertinent who chooses to demand it!” quote by Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d6b/fanny-burney-7403_boast_the-laws-of-custom-make-our-returning-a_580819.jpg)
![“Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a [Soviet socialistic] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants, lands, banks, means of transportation, etc., remain untouched there, and, therefore, capitalism in Germany and Italy…” quote by Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/411/joseph-stalin-1734_capitalism_neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-natio_1430.jpg)
