Closets Quote by Maxine Hong Kingston
“We seem to be always on cusps. Women come out of the burkah, the niqab, purdah, the closet, then go back in again. Of course, what we need do is to value the happy freedom of all beings.”
About This Quote
Source Memoir: The Woman Warrior, 1976
Women repeatedly transition between concealment and freedom; true liberation values all beings’ happiness.
In simple terms: Freedom is a continual journey.
Key Takeaway
Support universal freedom.
Themes
identity
freedom
gender
cultural transition
Mood
hopeful
critical
Type
memoir
social
When to use this quote
- coming out
- cultural assimilation
- activism
Key Concepts
feminist theory
social justice
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies honor diverse freedoms?
- What barriers prevent lasting liberation?
A Different Perspective
Balancing personal and collective freedom is complex.
![“At a certain point the family moved to Jaipur, where no woman could avoid the doli or purdah. They kept her in the house from morning to night, either cooking or doing nothing. [My mother] hated doing nothing, she hated to cook. So she became pale and ill, and far from being concerned about her…” quote by Indira Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c3a/indira-gandhi-1113_brother_at-a-certain-point-the-family-moved-to-j_2199085.jpg)
