--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Anyone who had ever read a novel knew…" description: "\"Anyone who had ever read a novel knew that governesses were supposed to be meek and downtrodden.\" — Lisa Kleypas" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ca/lisa-kleypas-111_books_anyone-who-had-ever-read-a-novel-knew-th_3234315.png" --- # Anyone who had ever read a novel knew that governesses… ![“Anyone who had ever read a novel knew that governesses were supposed to be meek and downtrodden.” quote by Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ca/lisa-kleypas-111_books_anyone-who-had-ever-read-a-novel-knew-th_3234315.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ca/lisa-kleypas-111_books_anyone-who-had-ever-read-a-novel-knew-th_3234315.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ca/lisa-kleypas-111_books_anyone-who-had-ever-read-a-novel-knew-th_3234315.png) > “Anyone who had ever read a novel knew that governesses were supposed to be meek and downtrodden.” [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Governesses are expected to be docile, reflecting societal expectations of women. **In simple terms:** Governesses should be meek. Key Takeaway Question gender expectations. Themes gender roles literature historical norms Mood reflective critical Type literary historical When to use this quote - historical fiction - character analysis - social commentary - teaching gender studies Key Concepts Feminist critique social constraints Questions to Reflect On - Why were governesses portrayed this way? - How does this affect modern perceptions? A Different Perspective Modern readers may see this as outdated. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Downtrodden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/downtrodden/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) ## Related quotes > [Leo knew next to nothing about governesses, save for the drab creatures in novels, who tended to fall in love with the lord of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/leo-knew-next-to-nothing-about-governesses-save-for-the-drab/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“Human history is full of great men, great women, individuals, with the will for power - all of them with governesses like her.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-nayeri/human-history-is-full-of-great-men-great-women-individuals-with-the/) [Daniel Nayeri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-nayeri/) > [Didn't you have any sadistic nannies who told you these tales to keep you quiet and well behaved at night? 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