Attributes Quote by Nathaniel Hawthorne
“Some attribute had departed from her, the permanence of which had been essential to keep her a woman. Such is frequently the fate, and such the stern development, of the feminine character and person, when the woman has encountered, and lived through, an experience of peculiar severity. If she be all tenderness, she will die. If she survive, the tenderness will either be crushed out of her, or—and the outward semblance is the same—crushed so deeply into her heart that it can never show itself more.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The House of the Seven Gables, 1851
A woman’s deep emotional sensitivity can be both a strength and a vulnerability, especially when faced with severe hardship.
In simple terms: Intense tenderness can be crushed or hidden by hardship.
Key Takeaway
Protect emotional health while navigating adversity.
Themes
gender
emotion
resilience
vulnerability
identity
Mood
somber
empathetic
thoughtful
Type
literary
psychological
social
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- mental health support
- creative expression
- relationship dynamics
- cultural norms
Key Concepts
psychological endurance
feminine archetype
social expectations
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies better support women’s emotional well‑being?
- What coping strategies preserve tenderness without causing harm?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on stoicism may ignore needed emotional support.
