“As I nodded and smiled and umm-hmm'd and oh, my'd my way down the drive, I wondered if boys had any sort of magazine that told them how to attract women and, if so, did it ever tell them to put the girls' interests first?”
Explore This Quote Further
Analysis
In this quote from Jennifer Donnelly, the speaker reflects on the lack of instruction for boys on how to attract women. The rhetorical question posed emphasizes the societal expectation for women to always prioritize men's interests. This quote highlights the discrepancy in gender norms and expectations, showing how women are often expected to cater to the needs and desires of men without reciprocity. It challenges readers to reconsider traditional gender roles and the importance of mutual respect and consideration in relationships.
Modern Relevance
In this quote from Jennifer Donnelly, the protagonist reflects on the idea of boys considering girls' interests first when trying to attract them. Let's explore the relevance of this notion in modern society.
In today's world of dating and relationships, the concept of prioritizing someone else's interests over your own is still important. With the rise of social media and dating apps, there can be a tendency to focus on oneself and one's own desires. However, showing genuine interest in someone else's passions and hobbies can go a long way in forming a meaningful connection. In a time where self-centeredness is prevalent, putting someone else's interests first can help build stronger and more fulfilling relationships. So, rather than focusing solely on how to attract someone, consider how you can prioritize their needs and interests as well.
Example of Usage
"As I nodded and smiled and umm-hmm'd and oh, my'd my way down the drive, I wondered if boys had any sort of magazine that told them how to attract women and, if so, did it ever tell them to put the girls' interests first?” - Jennifer Donnelly"
Reflection Questions
In the quote by Jennifer Donnelly, the narrator ponders about the existence of magazines that guide boys on attracting women. This raises some interesting reflections on gender roles and expectations. Here are some questions to consider:
- What societal norms or expectations might influence the way boys are taught to attract women?
- How do traditional gender roles impact the dynamics of relationships and interactions between men and women?
- How can individuals challenge and break free from these predetermined gender norms in order to prioritize mutual interests and respect in relationships?
- In what ways can society promote more equality and balance in gendered teachings and expectations?
Similar quotes
“For the first time, I saw what was in his heart, and I wondered if he might ever want to look deep enough to see mine.”
“My father had put these things on the table.I looked at him standing by the sink. He was washing his hands, splashing water on his face. My mamma left us. My brother, too. And now my feckless, reckless uncle had as well. My pa stayed, though. My pa always stayed.I looked at him. And saw the sweat stains on his shirt. And his big, scarred hands. And his dirty, weary face. I remembered how, lying in my bed a few nights before, I had looked forward to showing him my uncle's money. To telling him I was leaving. And I was so ashamed.”
“What had I seen? Too much. What did I know? Only that knowledge carries a damned high price. Miss Wilcox, my teacher, had taught me so much. Why had she never taught me that?”
“French Louis Seymour of the West Canada Creek, who knew how to survive all alone in a treacherous wilderness, and Mr. Alfred G. Vanderbilt of New York City and Raquette Lake, who was richer than God and traveled in his very own Pullman car, and Emmie Hubbard of the Uncas Road, who painted the most beautiful pictures when she was drunk and burned them in her woodstove when she was sober, were all ten times more interesting to me than Milton's devil or Austen's boy-crazy girls or that twitchy fool of Poe's who couldn't think of any place better to bury a body than under his own damn floor.”
“The guitar's still around me. I slip it off and put it down. I want to feel him. To feel his breath on my neck. The warmth of his skin. To feel something other than sadness.Hold me, I tell him silently. Hold me here. To this place. This life. Make me want you. Want this. Want something. Please”
“For the first time in a long time, he didn't think of the past. And of all the things he'd lost. He thought only of the present, and what he had. And how it was so much more than he deserved. And he prayed then that he would never, ever lose it.”