Bare feet Quote by Margaret Atwood
““The Chorus Line: A Rope-Jumping Rhyme we are the maids the ones you killed the ones you failed we danced in air our bare feet twitched it was not fair with every goddess, queen, and bitch from there to here you scratched your itch we did much less than what you did you judged us bad you had the spear you had the word at your command we scrubbed the blood of our dead paramours from floors, from chairs from stairs, from doors, we knelt in water while you stared at our bare feet it was not fair you licked our fear it gave you pleasure you raised your hand you watched us fall we danced on air the ones you failed the ones you killed””
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Chorus Line (unknown collection)
A lament on how women are exploited, judged, and forced into painful roles while men hold power and derive pleasure from their suffering.
In simple terms: Women are mistreated and used for others' gratification.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge systemic oppression.
Themes
oppression
gender
power
violence
justice
Mood
anger
defiant
somber
Type
political
poetic
When to use this quote
- activism
- policy reform
- education
- support groups
- artistic expression
Key Concepts
feminist critique
social hierarchy
psychological trauma
Questions to Reflect On
- How does society justify the exploitation of women?
- What actions can dismantle these power structures?
A Different Perspective
The quote may romanticize suffering rather than propose concrete solutions.
