My soul Quote by Jessamyn West
“In my time and neighborhood (and in my soul) there was only one standard by which a woman measured success: did some man want her?”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Women of Willow Creek, 1935
Success for women was measured solely by male desire, reducing their worth to external validation.
In simple terms: Women’s value was judged by whether men wanted them.
Key Takeaway
Seek self‑defined measures of success.
Themes
gender
society
self‑worth
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
sociological
feminist
When to use this quote
- career choices
- relationships
- personal development
Key Concepts
patriarchal standards
identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this view affect women's choices?
- What alternative standards can be embraced?
A Different Perspective
May overlook other cultural success metrics.
