Break your heart Quote by Wilkie Collins
““Who cares for his causes of complaint? Are you to break your heart to set his mind at ease? No man under heaven deserves these sacrifices from us women. Men! They are the enemies of our innocence and our peace - they drag us away from our parents' love and our sisters' friendship - they take us body and soul to themselves, and fasten our helpless lives to theirs as they chain up a dog to his kennel. And what does the best of them give us in return?””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins, 1859
The passage critiques how men exploit women's vulnerability, demanding emotional and physical sacrifices while offering little in return.
In simple terms: Men exploit women without gratitude.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and resist exploitative relationships.
Themes
gender inequality
exploitation
power dynamics
emotional labor
Mood
frustrated
defiant
Type
social critique
feminist.
When to use this quote
- marriage
- workplace
- family expectations
- social norms
Key Concepts
patriarchy
dependency
sacrifice
Questions to Reflect On
- How can women assert agency in such dynamics?
- What support systems can counteract this exploitation?
A Different Perspective
Not all men are exploitative; context matters.
