Bags Quote by Merle Shain
“The romantic myth is so strong that it survives the wear and tear of marriage by simply detaching from it and floating up on ahead, and women who are rather fond of the men they married, as well as ones who are not, go through life with a bag packed for the day when the shining knight on a white charger arrives, just in case he does.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Book of Love by Merle Shain, 1975
She describes how the romantic ideal persists in marriage, with women holding onto fantasies of a rescuing hero despite reality
In simple terms: Romantic fantasies survive marriage, even when unrealistic
Key Takeaway
Don’t let unrealistic romance dictate expectations
Themes
relationships
fantasy
marriage
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
relationship
cultural
When to use this quote
- marriage counseling
- personal growth
- literature analysis
Key Concepts
idealism
expectation management
gender roles
Questions to Reflect On
- What realistic qualities do you value in a partner?
- How can couples balance romance with reality?
A Different Perspective
Relying on fantasy can hinder genuine connection
![“Michael [Jackson] had paintings of himself at Neverland depicting himself as a knight and surrounded by cherubs and angels. People might think he's an egomaniac, but he's not. It's because the world turned against him.” quote by David LaChapelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/136/david-lachapelle-8697_angel_michael-jackson-had-paintings-of-himself_34664.jpg)
