Historical-romance Quote by Tessa Dare
““If it’s a wife you want,” she said, “surely you could find many women—many well-bred ladies—who would be willing to marry you.” “Yes, but I’d have to find them. This saves me so much effort.” She threw him a sidelong glance. “Can you not hear yourself? Do you truly not know how insulting that sounds?” “I should think it sounds beneficent. I’m offering you a title and fortune. All you have to do is lie back in the dark, then spend nine months swelling up like a tick. What could possibly deter any woman from accepting?””
About This Quote
Source Novel: "A Lady's Revenge" (historical romance), 2015
She highlights the absurdity of treating marriage as a transactional title, exposing the dehumanizing view of women as commodities.
In simple terms: Marriage is portrayed as a business deal, not a partnership.
Key Takeaway
Question the commodification of relationships.
Themes
gender roles
marriage
power dynamics
feminism
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- courtship negotiations
- arranged marriage discussions
- relationship counseling
Key Concepts
objectification
social expectations
economic exchange
Questions to Reflect On
- What would a partnership based on mutual respect look like?
- How do modern expectations differ from historical portrayals?
A Different Perspective
The dialogue may simplify complex historical gender norms.
