--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Marriage had certain commercial…" description: "\"Marriage had certain commercial advantages. By it the man secures the exclusive right to the woman's body and by it, the woman binds the man to support..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd2/rebecca-west-1248_advantage_marriage-had-certain-commercial-advantag_587876.jpg" --- # Marriage had certain commercial advantages. By it the man… ![“Marriage had certain commercial advantages. By it the man secures the exclusive right to the woman's body and by it, the woman binds the man to support her during the rest of her life… A more disgraceful bargain was never struck.” quote by Rebecca West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd2/rebecca-west-1248_advantage_marriage-had-certain-commercial-advantag_587876.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd2/rebecca-west-1248_advantage_marriage-had-certain-commercial-advantag_587876.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd2/rebecca-west-1248_advantage_marriage-had-certain-commercial-advantag_587876.jpg) > “Marriage had certain commercial advantages. By it the man secures the exclusive right to the woman's body and by it, the woman binds the man to support her during the rest of her life… A more disgraceful bargain was never struck.” [Rebecca West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-west/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote critiques marriage as a transactional bargain that reduces partners to economic and bodily exchanges, highlighting inherent power imbalances and loss of autonomy. **In simple terms:** Marriage is portrayed as a trade that limits freedom. Key Takeaway Recognize and challenge inequitable relationship expectations. Themes gender power marriage economics autonomy Mood critical reflective Type sociopolitical philosophical When to use this quote - legal contracts - family planning - relationship counseling - social policy - personal relationships Key Concepts feminist critique social contract gender roles Questions to Reflect On - How can modern relationships avoid these power dynamics? - What alternatives to traditional marriage promote equality? A Different Perspective It overlooks love, mutual respect, and the possibility of egalitarian partnerships. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advantage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advantage/) [Bargains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bargains/) [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Support](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/support/) [Women 's bodies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women-s-bodies/) ## Related quotes > [Animals have these advantages over man: they never hear the clock strike, they die without any idea of death, they have no theologians to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/animals-have-these-advantages-over-man-they-never-hear-the-clock-2/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [Animals have these advantages over man: they never hear the clock strike, they die without any idea of death, they have no theologians to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/animals-have-these-advantages-over-man-they-never-hear-the-clock/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [In a sacred ground like marriage, you find yourself out of it at certain times for reasons unknown that can be destructive. 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