Angel Quote by Margaret Atwood
“Women are human beings, and human beings are a very mixed lot. I've always been against the idea that women were Victorian angels, that they could do no wrong. I've always thought it was horseshit and does nobody any good. Remember, Lizzie Borden got off largely because the cultural agenda had convinced people that women were morally superior to men, so Lizzie Borden was "incapable" of taking the ax and giving her mother 40 whacks.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Public Life of Women, Margaret Atwood, 2005
Atwood argues that women are complex individuals, rejecting idealized Victorian stereotypes and exposing how myths about female moral superiority can obscure real behavior.
In simple terms: Women are complex, not idealized.
Key Takeaway
Reject simplistic gender myths.
Themes
gender stereotypes
historical myth
women’s agency
Victorian ideals
social criticism
Mood
thoughtful
challenging
empowering
Type
analytical
activist
When to use this quote
- legal debates
- media analysis
- education curricula
- activist discussions
Key Concepts
intersectionality
myth deconstruction
human complexity
Questions to Reflect On
- In what ways do stereotypes limit understanding?
- How can we recognize women’s full humanity?
A Different Perspective
The claim may oversimplify diverse historical experiences of women.
