--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Poor little thin, sallow, ugly Mary—she…" description: "\"“Poor little thin, sallow, ugly Mary—she actually looked almost pretty for a moment.”\" — Frances Hodgson Burnett" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/312/frances-hodgson-burnett-988_time_poor-little-thin-sallow-ugly-mary-she-ac_1516106.png" --- # Poor little thin, sallow, ugly Mary—she actually looked… ![“Poor little thin, sallow, ugly Mary—she actually looked almost pretty for a moment.” quote by Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/312/frances-hodgson-burnett-988_time_poor-little-thin-sallow-ugly-mary-she-ac_1516106.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/312/frances-hodgson-burnett-988_time_poor-little-thin-sallow-ugly-mary-she-ac_1516106.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/312/frances-hodgson-burnett-988_time_poor-little-thin-sallow-ugly-mary-she-ac_1516106.png) > ““Poor little thin, sallow, ugly Mary—she actually looked almost pretty for a moment.”” [Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hodgson-burnett/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A brief moment of unexpected beauty can appear even in the most unappealing circumstances. **In simple terms:** Even ugly things can seem pretty briefly. Key Takeaway Notice fleeting beauty. Themes appearance perception hope transformation growth Mood contemplative hopeful Type literary inspirational When to use this quote - art critique - personal reflection - mental health counseling - creative writing Key Concepts literature psychology aesthetics Questions to Reflect On - What does this moment reveal about perception? - Can fleeting beauty change deeper attitudes? 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