The main cause is a pernicious falsehood propagated against her being, namely that she is inferior by her nature. Inferior in what? What has man ever done that woman, under the same advantages could not do?
Ernestine RoseRead
But it will be said that the husband provides for the wife, or in other words, he feeds, clothes and shelters her! I wish I had the power to make every one before me fully realize the degradation contained in that idea.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the degrading notion that a husband merely provides basic needs for his wife rather than recognizing her autonomy and equality.
Ernestine Rose's quote critiques the traditional view of marriage where a husband is seen as the sole provider, which undermines the wife's identity and worth. By emphasizing that fulfillment of basic needs does not equate to respect or equality, she calls for a deeper understanding of partnership that values both individuals as equals, rather than reducing one to a dependent role.
In practice
This quote can be shared during a discussion about gender equality in relationships.
The main cause is a pernicious falsehood propagated against her being, namely that she is inferior by her nature. Inferior in what? What has man ever done that woman, under the same advantages could not do?
For here lies the corner stone of all the injustices done woman, the wrong idea from which all other wrongs proceed. She is not acknowledged as mistress of herself. For her cradle to her grave she is another's. We do indeed need and demand the other rights of which I have spoken, but let us first obtain OURSELVES.
Again, I shall be told that the law presumes the husband to be kind, affectionate, and ready to provide for and protect his wife. But what right, I ask, has the law to presume at all on the subject?
Books and opinions, no matter from whom they came, if they are in opposition to human rights, are nothing but dead letters.
It is high time to compel man by the might of right to give woman her political, legal and social rights. She will find her own sphere in accordance with her capacities, powers and tastes; and yet she will be woman still.
All that I can tell you is, that I used my humble powers to the uttermost, and raised my voice in behalf of Human Rights in general, and the elevation and Rights of Woman in particular, nearly all my life.
I'm not that complicated. My complications come out in my songs. All you need to do to be my friend is like me.
If our bodies are sick, we seek to heal them. We do not give up. The same thing should be true of our marriages.
Such a wife as I want... must be young, handsome I lay most stress upon a good shape, sensible a little learning will do, well-bread, chaste, and tender. As to religion, a moderate stock will satisfy me. She must believe in God and hate a saint.
I felt like we had stories about family loyalty; I didn't feel like we had stories about what to do when you felt that loyalty to your family was in conflict with loyalty to yourself.
It's an interesting combination: Having a great fear of being alone, and having a desperate need for solitude and the solitary experience. That's always been a tug of war for me.
We looked at each other for the last time; nothing is as eloquent as nothing.
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