--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My mother had been a housemaid in a big…" description: "\"My mother had been a housemaid in a big pub hotel.\" — Jean Marsh" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ce/jean-marsh-9045_been_my-mother-had-been-a-housemaid-in-a-big_897510.jpg" --- # My mother had been a housemaid in a big pub hotel. ![“My mother had been a housemaid in a big pub hotel.” quote by Jean Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ce/jean-marsh-9045_been_my-mother-had-been-a-housemaid-in-a-big_897510.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ce/jean-marsh-9045_been_my-mother-had-been-a-housemaid-in-a-big_897510.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ce/jean-marsh-9045_been_my-mother-had-been-a-housemaid-in-a-big_897510.jpg) > “My mother had been a housemaid in a big pub hotel.” [Jean Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-marsh/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A mother’s modest work in a grand setting reflects hidden dignity and social disparity. **In simple terms:** A mother worked as a housemaid in a big hotel. Key Takeaway Recognize dignity in all labor. Themes class labor dignity social hierarchy family recognition Mood reflective empathetic Type narrative social commentary When to use this quote - family history - social mobility - workplace respect - economic inequality - cultural heritage Key Concepts social class economic disparity hidden labor Questions to Reflect On - How does this background shape the narrator’s worldview? - What does it reveal about class dynamics? A Different Perspective The quote may romanticize hardship without addressing systemic oppression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hotel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hotel/) [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Pub](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pub/) ## Related quotes > [“I found it, miss," Meggie exclaimed breathlessly, extending the coin in her hand. It was possible that she had never held a sovereign before,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/i-found-it-miss-meggie-exclaimed-breathlessly-extending-the-coin-in/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [If I'd been a housemaid I'd have been the best in Australia - I couldn't help it. It's got to be perfection for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nellie-melba/if-i-d-been-a-housemaid-i-d-have-been-the-best-in-australia-i-couldn/) [Nellie Melba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nellie-melba/) > [All I can say about my mind is that, like a fire carefully laid by a good housemaid, it is one that any match…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margot-asquith/all-i-can-say-about-my-mind-is-that-like-a-fire-carefully-laid-by-a/) [Margot Asquith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margot-asquith/) > [Every housemaid expects at least once a week as much excitement as would have lasted a Jane Austen heroine throughout a whole novel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/every-housemaid-expects-at-least-once-a-week-as-much-excitement-as/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“move to Uxbridge, where she would take work as a housemaid for a year”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-n-holmberg/move-to-uxbridge-where-she-would-take-work-as-a-housemaid-for-a-year/) [Charlie N. Holmberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-n-holmberg/) > [The first gig we ever played was at a pub in Sydney called the Annandale Hotel to approximately 12 people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-hemmings/the-first-gig-we-ever-played-was-at-a-pub-in-sydney-called-the/) [Luke Hemmings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-hemmings/) > [I prefer pub food to posh food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prue-leith/i-prefer-pub-food-to-posh-food/) [Prue Leith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prue-leith/) > [Some people like going to the pub; I enjoy going to the gym.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-bruno/some-people-like-going-to-the-pub-i-enjoy-going-to-the-gym/) [Frank Bruno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-bruno/) > [I went to Ireland in my early 20s. I was there for about two weeks. I did go to the pub quite a bit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-reid/i-went-to-ireland-in-my-early-20s-i-was-there-for-about-two-weeks-i/) [Noah Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-reid/) > [I don't like awards ceremonies. I'd sooner go to the pub with mates I've known for years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-o-grady/i-don-t-like-awards-ceremonies-i-d-sooner-go-to-the-pub-with-mates-i/) [Paul O'Grady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-o-grady/) > [I live in Leeds, which is about 200 miles north of London, and I get to go and do all the 'Harry Potter' stuff…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-lewis/i-live-in-leeds-which-is-about-200-miles-north-of-london-and-i-get-to/) [Matthew Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-lewis/) > [I was extremely close to my father, inseparable. Where we hung out most of the time was the pub.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-power/i-was-extremely-close-to-my-father-inseparable-where-we-hung-out-most/) [Samantha Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-power/) > [I'm a Conservative, but I talk for the ordinary working classes. I get on with the boys at the pub, but I can also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinnie-jones/i-m-a-conservative-but-i-talk-for-the-ordinary-working-classes-i-get/) [Vinnie Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinnie-jones/) > [It is very boring and lonely in Shirebrook. You know what we do after work? We go to the pub after work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-ashley/it-is-very-boring-and-lonely-in-shirebrook-you-know-what-we-do-after/) [Mike Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-ashley/) > [Go to The Spaniards Inn on Hampstead Heath. It's an old-fashioned pub, and from there, you can look out over the London skyline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-quest/go-to-the-spaniards-inn-on-hampstead-heath-it-s-an-old-fashioned-pub/) [Richard Quest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-quest/) ## More by Jean Marsh > [In England, many don't even know the names of politicians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-marsh/in-england-many-don-t-even-know-the-names-of-politicians/) [Jean Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-marsh/) > [It feels fantastic, I never thought I would get anything, I've won awards and things but I never thought I would get an OBE…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-marsh/it-feels-fantastic-i-never-thought-i-would-get-anything-i-ve-won/) [Jean Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-marsh/) > [I have friends who live in sweet places in Islington but I have a morbid fear of going back, even though they are very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-marsh/i-have-friends-who-live-in-sweet-places-in-islington-but-i-have-a/) [Jean Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-marsh/) > [Well, I very rarely watch classical adaptations, because they usually do very good books, and a lot of the things they do... I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-marsh/well-i-very-rarely-watch-classical-adaptations-because-they-usually/) [Jean Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-marsh/) > [I think observers, like me, sometimes know more about a place than the people who have lived there all their lives. People are always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-marsh/i-think-observers-like-me-sometimes-know-more-about-a-place-than-the/) [Jean Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-marsh/) > [What makes French and Italian films wonderful is they make them for themselves; they are not made with us in mind at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-marsh/what-makes-french-and-italian-films-wonderful-is-they-make-them-for/) [Jean Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-marsh/) > [People do recognize me now and then.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-marsh/people-do-recognize-me-now-and-then/) [Jean Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-marsh/) > [I like Bill Blass very much, but I'm not so rich that I can afford to buy his clothes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-marsh/i-like-bill-blass-very-much-but-i-m-not-so-rich-that-i-can-afford-to/) [Jean Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-marsh/) > [When I'm out shopping, I look at somebody who's buying something or sitting down, and I look at him and think: 'Mmmm,' however old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-marsh/when-i-m-out-shopping-i-look-at-somebody-who-s-buying-something-or/) [Jean Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-marsh/) > [In America, I worked for an artist who drew people in clothes, mainly for Bloomingdale's. I did it part-time when I wasn't working as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-marsh/in-america-i-worked-for-an-artist-who-drew-people-in-clothes-mainly/) [Jean Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-marsh/) > [I think people feel everything was better in the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-marsh/i-think-people-feel-everything-was-better-in-the-past/) [Jean Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-marsh/) > [It was amazing. I had had a stroke and a heart attack but I knew I'd be all right. I think it's because I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-marsh/it-was-amazing-i-had-had-a-stroke-and-a-heart-attack-but-i-knew-i-d/) [Jean Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-marsh/) > [I prefer to act. I don't like writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-marsh/i-prefer-to-act-i-don-t-like-writing/) [Jean Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-marsh/) > [I have been approached by strangers. I was sitting on a beach in America and a young chap came up and said, 'Hello.' We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-marsh/i-have-been-approached-by-strangers-i-was-sitting-on-a-beach-in/) [Jean Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-marsh/) > [I've got all the discipline as an actress, but none whatsoever as a writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-marsh/i-ve-got-all-the-discipline-as-an-actress-but-none-whatsoever-as-a/) [Jean Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-marsh/) [Explore all 75 Jean Marsh quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-marsh/) ## More Been quotes > [When I was trying to come up with a stage name, I thought 'Lord' was super rad, but really masculine - ever since I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorde/when-i-was-trying-to-come-up-with-a-stage-name-i-thought-lord-was/) [Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorde/) > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. 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Growing up in the segregated South, it was a very painful experience for me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cybill-shepherd/well-i-ve-been-politically-involved-for-a-really-long-time-growing-up/) [Cybill Shepherd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cybill-shepherd/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [I have always been a big meta guy because I think the way journalism is practiced in Washington, and the way everyone sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/i-have-always-been-a-big-meta-guy-because-i-think-the-way-journalism/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [Windmills and solar cells are carbon-free sources of electricity. But they are costly. If you've been investing in those, give it up. That game…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-fisher/windmills-and-solar-cells-are-carbon-free-sources-of-electricity-but/) [Kenneth Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-fisher/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [I have never been in, nor have I had any strong particular desire to be in, what is termed a costume drama, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-freeman/i-have-never-been-in-nor-have-i-had-any-strong-particular-desire-to/) [Martin Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-freeman/) > [There has always been a feeling with people that they love my singing but not always the choice of material.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-moyet/there-has-always-been-a-feeling-with-people-that-they-love-my-singing/) [Alison Moyet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-moyet/) > [I've always been a believer in research. It's great to have an instinctual human reaction to a character, too, of course, but it has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chiwetel-ejiofor/i-ve-always-been-a-believer-in-research-it-s-great-to-have-an/) [Chiwetel Ejiofor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chiwetel-ejiofor/) Browse all 13,699 Been quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My mother had been a housemaid in a big pub hotel.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jean Marsh" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-marsh/my-mother-had-been-a-housemaid-in-a-big-pub-hotel/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Been" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-marsh/my-mother-had-been-a-housemaid-in-a-big-pub-hotel/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ce/jean-marsh-9045_been_my-mother-had-been-a-housemaid-in-a-big_897510.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ce/jean-marsh-9045_been_my-mother-had-been-a-housemaid-in-a-big_897510.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ce/jean-marsh-9045_been_my-mother-had-been-a-housemaid-in-a-big_897510.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My mother had been a housemaid in a big pub hotel.” — Jean Marsh", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jean Marsh", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-marsh/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "My mother had been a housemaid...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-marsh/my-mother-had-been-a-housemaid-in-a-big-pub-hotel/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-marsh/my-mother-had-been-a-housemaid-in-a-big-pub-hotel/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```