The faces of most American women over thirty are relief maps of petulant and bewildered unhappiness.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that many American women over thirty show signs of unhappiness and confusion about their lives.
F. Scott Fitzgerald's quote captures a poignant observation on the emotional and psychological struggles faced by many American women as they age, particularly after reaching thirty. The metaphor of 'relief maps' evokes the idea that their faces exhibit features of distress, with 'petulant and bewildered unhappiness' indicating a deep-seated frustration and confusion. This reflection aligns with societal expectations and the oftentimes unrealistic standards placed on women, suggesting that the passage of time can bring not just wisdom, but also a sense of disillusionment and unresolved discontent.
In practice
In a discussion about societal pressures on women, this quote highlights the emotional toll of expectations.
Don't be so anxious about it,' she laughed. 'I'm not used to being loved. I wouldn't know what to do; I never got the trick of it.' She looked down at him, shy and fatigued. 'So here we are. I told you years ago that I had the makings of Cinderella.' He took her hand; she drew it back instinctively and then replaced it in his. 'Beg your pardon. Not even used to being touched. But I'm not afraid of you, if you stay quiet and don't move suddenly.
The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.
It was about then [1920] that I wrote a line which certain people will not let me forget: "She was a faded but still lovely woman of twenty-seven."
The words seemed to bite physically into Gatsby.
But you can love more than just one person, can't you?
A sudden gust of rain blew over them and then another - as if small liquid clouds were bouncing along the land. Lightning entered the sea far off and the air blew full of crackling thunder. The table cloths blew around the pillars. They blew and blew and blew. The flags twisted around the red chairs like live things, the banners were ragged, the corners of the table tore off through the burbling billowing ends of the cloths.
Only barbarians are not curious about where they come from, how they came to be where they are, where they appear to be going, whether they wish to go there, and if so, why, and if not, why not.
Do you honestly believe God likes you, not just loves you because theologically God has to love you?
[When I die], I will decidedly not be regretting missed opportunities for a good time. My regrets will be more along the lines of a sad list of people hurt, people let down, assets wasted and advantages squandered.
People who get nostalgic about childhood were obviously never children.
Culture hides much more than it reveals, and strangely enough, what it hides, it hides most effectively from its own participants.
It is crucial that we develop real awareness of ourselves as citizens of Earth, linked by mutual and indissoluble bonds. When we clearly recognize this reality and ground ourselves in it, we are compelled to take a strict accounting of our way of life.
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