Absence Quote by Mary McCarthy
“In verity we are the poor. This humanity we would claim for ourselves is the legacy, not only of the Enlightenment, but of the thousands and thousands of European peasants and poor townspeople who came here bringing their humanity and their sufferings with them. It is the absence of a stable upper class that is responsible for much of the vulgarity of the American scene. Should we blush before the visitor for this deficiency?”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Country Girl, 1950
The quote argues that American culture’s vulgarity stems from the lack of a stable upper class, and that the hardships of European peasants shaped its humanity.
In simple terms: American vulgarity linked to missing elite class and immigrant suffering.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how class instability affects culture.
Themes
culture
class
immigration
history
identity
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
historical
When to use this quote
- urban development
- political analysis
- social policy
- education reform
- media critique
Key Concepts
social stratification
cultural inheritance
historical legacy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does class structure influence cultural values?
- What role do immigrants play in shaping national identity?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook positive contributions of lower classes and overgeneralize.
![“She considered [her] life, which had not been a life but only a sort of greeting, a Hello There.” quote by Mary McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/354/mary-mccarthy-2691_considered_she-considered-her-life-which-had-not-be_53594.jpg)
