I pay very little regard...to what any young person says on the subject of marriage. If they profess a disinclination for it, I only set it down that they have not yet seen the right person.
Jane AustenRead
A woman of seven and twenty, said Marianne, after pausing a moment, can never hope to feel or inspire affection again.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that a woman at the age of 27 may believe she can no longer experience or inspire love.
In this quote, Jane Austen expresses a sentiment about the fleeting nature of affection and the societal perceptions of women's romantic prospects as they age. Marianne’s comment reflects a belief that youth is inherently tied to the ability to inspire and experience deep romantic feelings, revealing the constraints and expectations placed on women in her time regarding love and relationships.
Themes
LoveAffectionAgingWomenSociety
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be referenced in a discussion about societal expectations for women and romance.
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You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever.
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She hoped to be wise and reasonable in time; but alas! Alas! She must confess to herself that she was not wise yet.
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