Compliments Quote by Mark Twain
““Mary Jane she set at the head of the table, with Susan alongside of her, and said how bad the biscuits was, and how mean the preserves was, and how ornery and tough the fried chickens was—and all that kind of rot, the way women always do for to force out compliments; and the people all knowed everything was tiptop, and said so—said 'How do you get biscuits to brown so nice?' and 'Where, for the land's sake, did you get these amaz'n pickles?' and all that kind of humbug talky-talk, just the way people always does at a supper, you know.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Gilded Age, 1873
The passage satirizes how women’s compliments are insincere and how social gatherings are filled with superficial chatter.
In simple terms: Women’s compliments can be fake, and dinner talk often shallow.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and move beyond empty flattery.
Themes
social satire
gender roles
communication
humor
Mood
witty
critical
Type
satirical
observational
When to use this quote
- dinner parties
- family gatherings
- social events
Key Concepts
irony
social critique
language use
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do people rely on superficial compliments?
- How does satire reveal social norms?
A Different Perspective
May reinforce stereotypes about women.
