--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As with most small town southerners…" description: "\"“As with most small town southerners, respectability was as much a part of my DNA as was my hair and eye color. It was the goal everyone strived for, t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ff/katherine-allred-16259_eye-color_as-with-most-small-town-southerners-resp_2925863.jpg" --- # As with most small town southerners, respectability was as… ![“As with most small town southerners, respectability was as much a part of my DNA as was my hair and eye color. It was the goal everyone strived for, the standard by which every citizen of Morganville was judged. And while my family, the Frenchs, weren’t the richest- that honor going to Ian and…” quote by Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ff/katherine-allred-16259_eye-color_as-with-most-small-town-southerners-resp_2925863.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ff/katherine-allred-16259_eye-color_as-with-most-small-town-southerners-resp_2925863.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ff/katherine-allred-16259_eye-color_as-with-most-small-town-southerners-resp_2925863.jpg) > ““As with most small town southerners, respectability was as much a part of my DNA as was my hair and eye color. It was the goal everyone strived for, the standard by which every citizen of Morganville was judged. And while my family, the Frenchs, weren’t the richest- that honor going to Ian and Helena Morgan- we were one of the most respected. Thanks mostly to the Judge, my grandfather. His name was Carl, but no one, including his daughters, had ever called him anything but Judge. He retired from the bench when I was five, and since my own father pulled a vanishing act shortly before my birth, the Judge stepped forward to fill that role for me. I thought the man walked on water and took every word from his lips as gospel. “Alix,” he told me. “Stay away from the railroad tracks. A wowzer cat lives under the trestle, and you don’t want to get tangled up with one of those.” “What’s a wowzer cat?” I asked, enthralled. “It’s a fifty pound cat with eight legs and nine bung holes, and it’s meaner than a gar.” The Judge had an odd sense of humor.”” [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator describes how community respectability and family reputation shape identity, with a revered judge figure providing guidance and quirky warnings. **In simple terms:** Community respect and family reputation shape identity, with a wise mentor offering quirky advice. Key Takeaway Value guidance from respected elders while questioning myths. Themes identity family community authority humor Mood reflective nostalgic lighthearted Type narrative character lesson When to use this quote - small town life - family dynamics - personal growth - navigating advice Key Concepts social hierarchy mentor influence mythic warnings Questions to Reflect On - How does community pressure affect personal choices? - What role do mentors play in shaping beliefs? A Different Perspective The anecdote may romanticize authority, overlooking its flaws. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Sense of humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-of-humor/) [Small town](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/small-town/) ## Related quotes > [I like to be judged by my family and friends because they know me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leighton-meester/i-like-to-be-judged-by-my-family-and-friends-because-they-know-me/) [Leighton Meester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leighton-meester/) > [“She's amazing." Galen turns to Dr. Milligan, who's standing beside him and staring at Emma as if she were floating in midair. "Yes, she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-banks/she-s-amazing-galen-turns-to-dr-milligan-who-s-standing-beside-him/) [Anna Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-banks/) > [I have trouble describing my own style, since it's sort of like describing my own eye color or something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aimee-bender/i-have-trouble-describing-my-own-style-since-it-s-sort-of-like/) [Aimee Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aimee-bender/) > [Blue and green eyes will be so common that dark brown will become the rare and newly desired eye color.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyra-banks/blue-and-green-eyes-will-be-so-common-that-dark-brown-will-become-the/) [Tyra Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyra-banks/) > [“Hey, that's weird," Chloe says. "You both have the same color eyes as Emma. I've never seen that before. I always thought it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-banks/hey-that-s-weird-chloe-says-you-both-have-the-same-color-eyes-as-emma/) [Anna Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-banks/) > [Black women are some of the most colorful women in the world. We come in all shadeshave so many hair textures..eye colors..body types. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skye-townsend/black-women-are-some-of-the-most-colorful-women-in-the-world-we-come/) Skye Townsend > [“We all break the surface into this life already howling the cries of our ancestors, bearing their DNA, their eye colors and their scars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ser-prince-halverson/we-all-break-the-surface-into-this-life-already-howling-the-cries-of/) Seré Prince Halverson > [“ Genetics Genes are often referred to as the blueprint for human beings. It is well-known that they determine such things as eye color,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-moehn/genetics-genes-are-often-referred-to-as-the-blueprint-for-human/) [Heather Moehn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-moehn/) > [The information encoded in your DNA determines your unique biological characteristics, such as sex, eye color, age and Social Security number.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/the-information-encoded-in-your-dna-determines-your-unique-biological/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) > [ “I'll draw up a list. \[...\] You can give me a general idea, if you like: hair color, eye color-" "None!" "None? Bit of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-duran/i-ll-draw-up-a-list-you-can-give-me-a-general-idea-if-you-like-hair/) [Meredith Duran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-duran/) > [“Teeth gritted, he gazed down at me. "Now that I come to think about it. I'm not real keen on your eye color, either.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-scott/teeth-gritted-he-gazed-down-at-me-now-that-i-come-to-think-about-it-i/) [Kylie Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-scott/) > [“For a nanosecond, I meet her gaze. Despite the dark, I can see her eye color—it’s the prettiest, strangest shade of blue I’ve ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-b-doe/for-a-nanosecond-i-meet-her-gaze-despite-the-dark-i-can-see-her-eye/) [Anna B. Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-b-doe/) > [“More data—such as paying attention to the eye colors of the people around when crossing the street—can make you miss the big truck.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/more-data-such-as-paying-attention-to-the-eye-colors-of-the-people/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) > [Most eyes have more than one color, but usually they're related. Blue eyes may have two shades of blue, or blue and gray, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-moon/most-eyes-have-more-than-one-color-but-usually-they-re-related-blue/) [Elizabeth Moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-moon/) > [The rich are different. Their wants are very high maintenance. They'll pick eye color and hair color, all the way down to what she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-stanger/the-rich-are-different-their-wants-are-very-high-maintenance-they-ll/) [Patti Stanger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-stanger/) ## More by Katherine Allred > [“That was also the year I discovered Boys. Or maybe I should say they discovered me. By then I knew what they wanted and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/that-was-also-the-year-i-discovered-boys-or-maybe-i-should-say-they/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“To my surprise, Nick reached under his shirt and pulled out the half-heart pendant. With his gaze fixed on mine, he slid the chain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/to-my-surprise-nick-reached-under-his-shirt-and-pulled-out-the-half/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“He always was someone. Because the core of the sweet gum tree never changes. Like Nick, the deep red wood stays true to its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/he-always-was-someone-because-the-core-of-the-sweet-gum-tree-never/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“Do you want to know the real reason I came back, Alix?” It was because of you. You’re my roots. Wherever you are would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/do-you-want-to-know-the-real-reason-i-came-back-alix-it-was-because/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“Life isn't kind, and we rarely get what we want out of it. We do the best we can, and we keep putting one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/life-isn-t-kind-and-we-rarely-get-what-we-want-out-of-it-we-do-the/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“God, I can’t lose you again.” His whisper was harsh, filled with pain. “Not now, when I’ve waited so long to hold you. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/god-i-can-t-lose-you-again-his-whisper-was-harsh-filled-with-pain-not/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“There's a part of everyone that needs to be taken care of. Denying it exists doesn't change the truth, it only makes you very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/there-s-a-part-of-everyone-that-needs-to-be-taken-care-of-denying-it/) [Katherine allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“You don’t have to be scared anymore, Abby. We’ll figure something out, I promise. We’re in this together.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/you-don-t-have-to-be-scared-anymore-abby-we-ll-figure-something-out-i/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“You haven't stopped smiling since you came in." "You want me to yell?" "No, no," Buddy hastily assured him. "You just keep right on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/you-haven-t-stopped-smiling-since-you-came-in-you-want-me-to-yell-no/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“The idea of him making love to anyone else sent a shaft of pain straight through my middle. “You better wait on me, damn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/the-idea-of-him-making-love-to-anyone-else-sent-a-shaft-of-pain/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“...while I was vowing to save Nick, he had taken on the job of being my protector and staunchest defender”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/while-i-was-vowing-to-save-nick-he-had-taken-on-the-job-of-being-my/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“But there are more kinds of hurt than physical ones, hurts that run ever deeper and leave bigger scars, and not even Nick could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/but-there-are-more-kinds-of-hurt-than-physical-ones-hurts-that-run/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“I’m sorry, Nick,” I whispered, slipping his pendant from my neck. “I didn’t know what else to do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/i-m-sorry-nick-i-whispered-slipping-his-pendant-from-my-neck-i-didn-t/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“Nick? Have you ever…” ”No.” He lifted his head again, studied me. “I’ve thought about it, but it never seemed right.” The idea of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/nick-have-you-ever-no-he-lifted-his-head-again-studied-me-i-ve/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) > [“I love you”, he whispered. “You’ll have the words every day for the rest of our lives.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-allred/i-love-you-he-whispered-you-ll-have-the-words-every-day-for-the-rest/) [Katherine Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) [Explore all 40 Katherine Allred quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-allred/) ## More Eye color quotes > [The rich are different. Their wants are very high maintenance. They'll pick eye color and hair color, all the way down to what she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-stanger/the-rich-are-different-their-wants-are-very-high-maintenance-they-ll/) [Patti Stanger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-stanger/) > [Most eyes have more than one color, but usually they're related. Blue eyes may have two shades of blue, or blue and gray, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-moon/most-eyes-have-more-than-one-color-but-usually-they-re-related-blue/) [Elizabeth Moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-moon/) > [“More data—such as paying attention to the eye colors of the people around when crossing the street—can make you miss the big truck.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/more-data-such-as-paying-attention-to-the-eye-colors-of-the-people/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) > [“For a nanosecond, I meet her gaze. Despite the dark, I can see her eye color—it’s the prettiest, strangest shade of blue I’ve ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-b-doe/for-a-nanosecond-i-meet-her-gaze-despite-the-dark-i-can-see-her-eye/) [Anna B. Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-b-doe/) > [“Teeth gritted, he gazed down at me. "Now that I come to think about it. I'm not real keen on your eye color, either.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-scott/teeth-gritted-he-gazed-down-at-me-now-that-i-come-to-think-about-it-i/) [Kylie Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-scott/) > [ “I'll draw up a list. \[...\] You can give me a general idea, if you like: hair color, eye color-" "None!" "None? Bit of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-duran/i-ll-draw-up-a-list-you-can-give-me-a-general-idea-if-you-like-hair/) [Meredith Duran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-duran/) > [The information encoded in your DNA determines your unique biological characteristics, such as sex, eye color, age and Social Security number.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/the-information-encoded-in-your-dna-determines-your-unique-biological/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) > [“ Genetics Genes are often referred to as the blueprint for human beings. It is well-known that they determine such things as eye color,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-moehn/genetics-genes-are-often-referred-to-as-the-blueprint-for-human/) [Heather Moehn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-moehn/) > [“We all break the surface into this life already howling the cries of our ancestors, bearing their DNA, their eye colors and their scars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ser-prince-halverson/we-all-break-the-surface-into-this-life-already-howling-the-cries-of/) Seré Prince Halverson > [Black women are some of the most colorful women in the world. We come in all shadeshave so many hair textures..eye colors..body types. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skye-townsend/black-women-are-some-of-the-most-colorful-women-in-the-world-we-come/) Skye Townsend > [“Hey, that's weird," Chloe says. "You both have the same color eyes as Emma. I've never seen that before. I always thought it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-banks/hey-that-s-weird-chloe-says-you-both-have-the-same-color-eyes-as-emma/) [Anna Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-banks/) > [Blue and green eyes will be so common that dark brown will become the rare and newly desired eye color.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyra-banks/blue-and-green-eyes-will-be-so-common-that-dark-brown-will-become-the/) [Tyra Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyra-banks/) > [I have trouble describing my own style, since it's sort of like describing my own eye color or something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aimee-bender/i-have-trouble-describing-my-own-style-since-it-s-sort-of-like/) [Aimee Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aimee-bender/) > [“She's amazing." Galen turns to Dr. Milligan, who's standing beside him and staring at Emma as if she were floating in midair. "Yes, she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-banks/she-s-amazing-galen-turns-to-dr-milligan-who-s-standing-beside-him/) [Anna Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-banks/) > [“Amazing how eye and skin color come in many shades yet many think sexuality is just gay or straight.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashanne-stokes/amazing-how-eye-and-skin-color-come-in-many-shades-yet-many-think/) [DaShanne Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashanne-stokes/) Browse all 51 Eye color quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“As with most small town southerners, respectability was as much a part of my DNA as was my hair and eye color. It was the goal everyone strived for, the standard by which every citizen of Morganville was judged. And while my family, the Frenchs, weren’t the richest- that honor going to Ian and Helena Morgan- we were one of the most respected. Thanks mostly to the Judge, my grandfather. His name was Carl, but no one, including his daughters, had ever called him anything but Judge. He retired from the bench when I was five, and since my own father pulled a vanishing act shortly before my birth, the Judge stepped forward to fill that role for me. I thought the man walked on water and took every word from his lips as gospel. “Alix,” he told me. “Stay away from the railroad tracks. 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