--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They were bound for college, husbands…" description: "\"They were bound for college, husbands, child-rearing, unhappiness only dimly perceived- bound, in other words, for life.\" — Jeffrey Eugenides" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23c/jeffrey-eugenides-462_bound_they-were-bound-for-college-husbands-chi_913381.png" --- # They were bound for college, husbands, child-rearing… ![“They were bound for college, husbands, child-rearing, unhappiness only dimly perceived- bound, in other words, for life.” quote by Jeffrey Eugenides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23c/jeffrey-eugenides-462_bound_they-were-bound-for-college-husbands-chi_913381.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23c/jeffrey-eugenides-462_bound_they-were-bound-for-college-husbands-chi_913381.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23c/jeffrey-eugenides-462_bound_they-were-bound-for-college-husbands-chi_913381.png) > “They were bound for college, husbands, child-rearing, unhappiness only dimly perceived- bound, in other words, for life.” [Jeffrey Eugenides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-eugenides/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Life expectations—college, marriage, children—are presented as a predetermined, dimly perceived path. **In simple terms:** Life follows a vague, preset script. Key Takeaway Question assumed life scripts. Themes coming expectations future Mood contemplative melancholic Type literary reflective When to use this quote - education - career planning - family life - personal growth Key Concepts sociology literature existentialism Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions shape our life plans? - How can we redefine expectations? A Different Perspective May ignore individual agency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Child rearing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child-rearing/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [College](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/college/) [Husband](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/husband/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Sadness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sadness/) [Unhappiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unhappiness/) ## Related quotes > [“So, your best defense is knowledge. 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