Every night Quote by Zadie Smith
““I don’t want your babies, Felix. I can assure you I’m not sitting up here like some tragic fallen woman every night dreaming of having your babies.” She began tracing a figure of eight with her fingernail along his stomach. The movement looked idle but the nail pressed in hard. “You realize of course that if it were the other way round there would be a law, there would be an actual law: John versus Jen in the high court. And John would put it to Jen that she did wilfully fuck him for five years, before dumping him without warning in the twilight of his procreative window, and taking up with young Jack-the-lad, only twenty-four years old and with a cock as long as my arm. The court rules in favor of John. Every time. Jen must pay damages. Huge sums. Plus six months in jail. No—nine. Poetic justice.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Swing Time, Zadie Smith, 2016
The speaker satirically imagines a legal system that would punish women for sexual agency, exposing gender double standards and societal control over women's bodies.
In simple terms: Women are judged harshly for sexual freedom while men escape consequences.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge gender bias in law and culture.
Themes
gender bias
sexual agency
legal satire
power dynamics
feminism
Mood
ironic
critical
provocative
Type
satirical
feminist
social commentary
When to use this quote
- courtroom drama
- personal relationships
- public discourse
- media commentary
Key Concepts
patriarchal law
double standards
sexual politics
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How do legal systems reflect gender power?
- What would true equality look like in personal relationships?
A Different Perspective
The satire may oversimplify complex legal realities and ignore male victimhood.
