Jerusha-abbott Quote by Jean Webster
““I look forward all day to evening, and then I put an "engaged" on the door and get into my nice red bath robe and furry slippers and pile all the cushions behind me on the couch, and light the brass student lamp at my elbow, and read and read and read. One book isn't enough. I have four going at once. Just now, they're Tennyson's poems and "Vanity Fair" and Kipling's "Plain Tales" and - don't laugh - "Little Women." I find that I am the only girl in college who wasn't brought up on "Little Women." I haven't told anybody though (that would stamp me as queer). I just quietly went and bought it with $1.12 of my last month's allowance; and the next time somebody mentions pickled limes, I'll know what she is talking about!””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Daddy-Long-Legs, 1912 (fictional diary entry)
A young woman finds solace in reading and personal rituals, using literature to create identity and escape societal expectations.
In simple terms: Reading provides comfort and a sense of self beyond social labels.
Key Takeaway
Seek refuge in books to discover yourself.
Themes
self‑discovery
literature
identity
solace
rebellion
Mood
reflective
quiet
empowering
Type
personal
literary
inspirational
When to use this quote
- college life
- quiet evenings
- private reading
- self‑expression
- cultural critique
Key Concepts
personal growth
literary escapism
social conformity
Questions to Reflect On
- What does reading reveal about your hidden self?
- How can rituals help cope with pressure?
A Different Perspective
May idealize solitary reading over real social interaction.
