Relationship Quote by Leo Tolstoy
![“[T]he social relationship of young women to young men … now seemed to Kitty like ignominious exposure of merchandise to be taken by the highest bidder.” quote by Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4d7/leo-tolstoy-55_relationship_t-he-social-relationship-of-young-women_1317762.jpg)
““[T]he social relationship of young women to young men … now seemed to Kitty like ignominious exposure of merchandise to be taken by the highest bidder.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: "Anna Karenina", 1877
Young women's social value is reduced to a commodity, subject to the highest bidder's desire.
In simple terms: Women are treated as market goods.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and reject objectifying social norms.
Themes
gender
economics
power
objectification
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
social
political
When to use this quote
- workplace
- media representation
- dating culture
- advertising
- policy debates
Key Concepts
commodity theory
social hierarchy
feminist critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What historical factors led to viewing women as commodities?
- How can modern societies dismantle such objectification?
A Different Perspective
Some may argue market dynamics are neutral.
![“Freedom... refer[s] to a social relationship among people-namely, the absence of force as a prospective instrument of decision making. Freedom is reduced whenever a decision is made under threat of force, whether or not force actually materializes or is evident in retrospect.” quote by Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/df6/thomas-sowell-247_absence_freedom-refer-s-to-a-social-relationship_3001827.jpg)
