Astonished Quote by Fanny Kemble
“...I cannot help being astonished at the furious and ungoverned execration which all reference to the possibility of a fusion of the races draws down upon those who suggest it, because nobody pretends to deny that, throughout the South, a large proportion of the population is the offspring of white men and colored women.”
About This Quote
Source Play: The Woman in the House, 1855
The speaker is shocked by the intense, uncontrolled hatred directed at anyone proposing racial mixing, despite the widespread reality of mixed ancestry in the South.
In simple terms: People resent ideas of racial mixing even though many are already mixed.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge hidden prejudices.
Themes
racism
social tension
identity
history
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
historical
critical.
When to use this quote
- Southern society
- family narratives
- political debates
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
intersectionality
social stigma
colonial legacy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do historical attitudes shape today’s views on race?
- What can be done to confront lingering prejudice?
A Different Perspective
The quote reflects a specific 19th‑century context and may not capture modern nuances of race relations.
