Dream Quote by Jane Austen
““They danced again, and when the assembly closed, parted, on the lady’s side at least, with a strong inclination for continuing the acquaintance. Whether she thought of him so much while she drank her warm wine and water and prepared herself for bed as to dream of him when there, cannot be ascertained; but I hope it was no more than in a light slumber, or a morning doze at most, for if it be true, as a celebrated writer has maintained, that no young lady can be justified in falling in love before the gentleman’s love is declared, it must be very improper that a young lady should dream of a gentlemen before the gentleman is first known to have dreamed of her.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Pride and Prejudice, 1813
A young woman’s flirtation is constrained by social expectations that love must be reciprocated before it is openly expressed.
In simple terms: Love must be mutual before it’s spoken.
Key Takeaway
Respect mutual consent before pursuing romance.
Themes
social norms
courtship
gender roles
Mood
reflective
contemplative
Type
literary
social commentary
When to use this quote
- ballroom dances
- private thoughts
- dreams
- early morning reflections
Key Concepts
reciprocity
reputation
social pressure
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you think love should be declared before feelings are certain?
- How do societal expectations shape personal romance?
A Different Perspective
Assumes all women share the same strict propriety; individual desires may differ.
![“Everybody is taken in at some period or another. [...] In marriage especially. [...] There is not one in a hundred of either sex, who is not taken in when they marry. Look where I will, I see that it is so; and I feel that it must be so, when I consider that it is, of all transactions, the one in…” quote by Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/37a/jane-austen-39_marriage_everybody-is-taken-in-at-some-period-or_7175.jpg)
