Skip to content

Beautiful Quote by George Orwell

“It had never occurred to him that the body of a woman of fifty, blown up to monstrous dimensions by childbearing, then hardened, roughened by work til it was coarse in the grain like an overripe turnip, could be beautiful. But is was so, and after all, he thought, why not?” quote by George Orwell
Download Open image
“It had never occurred to him that the body of a woman of fifty, blown up to monstrous dimensions by childbearing, then hardened, roughened by work til it was coarse in the grain like an overripe turnip, could be beautiful. But is was so, and after all, he thought, why not?”

George Orwell

About This Quote

Source Essay: Unpublished reflections, 1945

He observes that a woman's body, altered by childbirth and labor, can still possess beauty despite societal expectations.

In simple terms: A woman's body can be beautiful even after hardship.

Key Takeaway

Recognize beauty in unexpected places.

Themes

beauty body gender labor societal standards

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

philosophical social

When to use this quote

  • discussing body image
  • examining labor impacts
  • challenging norms

Key Concepts

Feminist critique human dignity body politics

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does labor shape identity?
  • Can beauty be defined beyond appearance?
A Different Perspective

The perspective may ignore individual agency.

3.9 out of 5 (7 ratings)

More by George Orwell

Explore all 1,657 George Orwell quotes

More Beautiful quotes

Browse all 17,976 Beautiful quotes