Marriage Quote by Mary Doria Russell
““Every one of them has a story, and every story begins with a man who failed her. A husband who came home from the war, good for nothin' but drink. A father who didn't come home at all, or a stepfather who did. A brother who should have protected her. A beau who promised marriage and left when he got what he wanted, because he wouldn't marry a slut. If a girl like that has lost her way, it's-because some worthless no-account-sonofabitch left her in the wilderness alone!””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Sparrow, 1996
The passage describes how various men fail women, leading them into vulnerability and isolation.
In simple terms: Women can be abandoned by many men.
Key Takeaway
Support women and challenge harmful stereotypes.
Themes
gender
abandonment
violence
vulnerability
Mood
empathetic
critical
Type
social
reflective
When to use this quote
- relationships
- family dynamics
- social support systems
Key Concepts
social critique
masculine failure
Questions to Reflect On
- What can be done to empower women in such narratives?
- How can society hold men accountable?
A Different Perspective
It risks portraying women solely as victims, lacking agency.
![“[John] watched the flames for a while. "I would have to say that I find God in serving His children. 'When I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me to drink, I was a stanger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, sick and you cared for me, imprisoned and you came to me.'"…” quote by Mary Doria Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a0f/mary-doria-russell-3319_break-your-heart_john-watched-the-flames-for-a-while-i-wo_172417.jpg)
![“I don't like being away from home. That's one reason why I don't work as much as I used to [when I started my career], because so many things are on the road. I just don't want to be away from my husband, my dogs and my home. I don't sing that much any more because that also takes you on the road.” quote by Jane Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/07c/jane-powell-36243_away_i-don-t-like-being-away-from-home-that-s_278.jpg)
