19th century Quote by Margaret Atwood
“You can examine the whole 19th century from the point of view of who would have maxed out their credit cards. Emma Bovary would have maxed hers out. No question. Mr. Scrooge would not have. He would have snipped his up.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Blind Assassin, 2000 (reference)
The quote humorously suggests that 19th‑century characters like Emma Bovary would have maxed credit cards, unlike frugal Scrooge.
In simple terms: Emma would overspend; Scrooge would not.
Key Takeaway
Use humor to critique consumerism and moral restraint.
Themes
literature
humor
consumerism
character analysis
economics
Mood
witty
critical
Type
literary
humorous
When to use this quote
- personal budgeting
- credit card use
- financial education
- literary studies
Key Concepts
financial behavior
social commentary
literary criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does consumer culture affect personal identity?
- What can literature teach about financial responsibility?
A Different Perspective
The comparison simplifies complex characters to financial habits.
![“. . . Luddites were those frenzied traditionalists of the early 19th century who toured [England] wrecking new weaving machines on the theory that if they were destroyed . . . old jobs and old ways of life could be preserved . . . At certain times in his life each man is tempted to become a…” quote by James A. Michener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/182/james-a-michener-1627_19th-century_luddites-were-those-frenzied-traditional_76909.jpg)
