Folly Quote by Margaret Oliphant
““Was that what they called the natural lot of women? to suffer, perhaps to share the blame, but have no share in the plan, to sympathise, but not to know; to move on blindly according to some rule of loyalty and obedience, which to any other creature in the world would be folly and guilt?””
About This Quote
Source Novel: "The Ladies of Llangollen" (1848)
Women are often confined to passive roles, expected to obey without understanding or influencing the larger plan.
In simple terms: Women are expected to obey without agency.
Key Takeaway
Challenge prescribed gender roles.
Themes
gender inequality
obedience
social expectations
Mood
reflective
defiant
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- workplace dynamics
- family expectations
- educational settings
- political activism
Key Concepts
feminist theory
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- What would happen if women were given equal decision‑making power?
- How does silence affect personal fulfillment?
A Different Perspective
Changing deep‑seated cultural norms can be slow and meet backlash.
