--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When... I told my father I wanted to be a…" description: "\"When... I told my father I wanted to be a writer, he had asked me to consider my unfortunate wife, who would have me about the house all day 'wearing a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b7/john-mortimer-7362_brewing_when-i-told-my-father-i-wanted-to-be-a-w_1234942.jpg" --- # When... I told my father I wanted to be a writer, he had… ![“When... I told my father I wanted to be a writer, he had asked me to consider my unfortunate wife, who would have me about the house all day 'wearing a dressing gown, brewing tea and stumped for words'.” quote by John Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b7/john-mortimer-7362_brewing_when-i-told-my-father-i-wanted-to-be-a-w_1234942.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b7/john-mortimer-7362_brewing_when-i-told-my-father-i-wanted-to-be-a-w_1234942.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b7/john-mortimer-7362_brewing_when-i-told-my-father-i-wanted-to-be-a-w_1234942.jpg) > “When... I told my father I wanted to be a writer, he had asked me to consider my unfortunate wife, who would have me about the house all day 'wearing a dressing gown, brewing tea and stumped for words'.” [John Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mortimer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker reveals a father’s concern about the writer’s future, emphasizing domestic expectations over creative ambition. **In simple terms:** A father worries about practical life versus artistic dreams. Key Takeaway Balance personal goals with family expectations. Themes family expectations creative ambition career choices Mood reflective conflicted Type advice personal When to use this quote - career planning - family discussions - creative pursuits Key Concepts social pressure personal fulfillment Questions to Reflect On - How do you reconcile personal passion with family responsibilities? - What compromises are acceptable? A Different Perspective Family duties may limit artistic freedom. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Tea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tea/) [Wearing a dress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wearing-a-dress/) [Wife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wife/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Who here wants to be a writer?' I asked. Everyone in the room raised his hand. 'Why the hell aren't you home writing?' I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-uris/who-here-wants-to-be-a-writer-i-asked-everyone-in-the-room-raised-his/) [Leon Uris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-uris/) > [Each time we had a visiting writer, I asked what she thought of women and humor. 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I paused, thought deeply and said, "Probably 'suk a dog…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-koenig/a-writer-once-asked-what-i-d-say-if-i-ever-met-my-biggest-hater-i/) [Ezra Koenig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-koenig/) > [“As you know, Joyce was a writer who asked his reader to give him a lifetime,” he said. “I am that reader, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-levine/as-you-know-joyce-was-a-writer-who-asked-his-reader-to-give-him-a/) [Philip Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-levine/) > [“The problem with wearing a dress is that it clashes with a sword.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-black/the-problem-with-wearing-a-dress-is-that-it-clashes-with-a-sword/) [Chuck Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-black/) > [For me, it doesn't matter if I am wearing a dress designed by a renowned designer or a regular dress. How I am carrying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neha-dhupia/for-me-it-doesn-t-matter-if-i-am-wearing-a-dress-designed-by-a/) [Neha Dhupia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neha-dhupia/) > [We segregate men from women, and no matter how many times we insist that men and women are equal, men and women should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-j-t-mitchell/we-segregate-men-from-women-and-no-matter-how-many-times-we-insist/) [W. J. T. Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-j-t-mitchell/) ## More by John Mortimer > [“Take sex, for instance.' 'What do you want me to do with it?' 'Try to be serious for a moment. 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