“Lucy had to guard her reputation - her reputation for sanity - the way that a woman a hundred years before would have had to guard her reputation for virtue.”
Explore This Quote Further
Analysis of Quote from Nancy Werlin's "Impossible"
In this quote from Nancy Werlin's novel "Impossible," the protagonist Lucy is compared to women from a previous era who had to protect their reputation for virtue. However, in Lucy's case, she must protect her reputation for sanity. This comparison highlights the societal expectations and pressures placed on women throughout history to conform to certain standards, whether they be related to virtue or mental health. The quote underscores the challenges and double standards women face in maintaining their reputation and the importance of societal perceptions in shaping their identities.
The Modern Relevance of Women Guarding Their Reputation
In today's society, women still face the challenge of guarding their reputation, although in different ways than in the past. As Nancy Werlin expressed in her quote, the importance of maintaining a certain reputation, whether it be for sanity, virtue, or any other quality, is something that women have had to navigate throughout history. This continues to hold true in the present day, highlighting the ongoing struggle for women to protect how they are perceived by others.
Guarding Reputation
"Lucy had to guard her reputation - her reputation for sanity - the way that a woman a hundred years before would have had to guard her reputation for virtue." - Nancy Werlin
Reflection Questions:
In Nancy Werlin's quote, she highlights the societal expectations placed upon women in different time periods. Reflect on the following questions to delve deeper into this idea:
- How do societal expectations for women's behavior and reputation differ now compared to a century ago?
- In what ways do contemporary women still feel pressured to uphold certain reputations, whether it be for sanity, virtue, or other traits?
- How does the concept of reputation impact women's freedom to express themselves authentically in today's society?
- Have you personally experienced pressure to maintain a certain reputation or conform to societal expectations? If so, how did you navigate this challenge?
Similar quotes
“Zach found himself remembering something he'd heard Soledad and Leo saying the previous night, about healing. That it was mysterious. That it took time. And that Lucy was just at the beginning. That a terrible thing had happened - two terrible things, really - but they were now over.And that Lucy would be okay, in the end.”
“It's just that, right now, I want to hear you promise me that if we do run out of time and I go mad, like Miranda, it ends with me. The curse ends here, because our baby will be safe. You will make that happen. Isn't that so?"It took him a minute. "Yes," he said finnally. "It's so. Although, if we're just going to talk about the baby, I can think of an easier way to save her."Oh? What?"I'd just lock her up from her sixteenth birthday on."Lucy didn't laugh. "Don't think I haven't thought of that too, love. but here's the thing. That parents try that in all the fairy tales. It never works.”
“SCARBOROUGH FAIR, or, THE LOVER'S PROMISE(Lucy:)Are you going to Scarborough Fair?Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thymeRemember me to one who lives thereAlways he'll be a true love of mineTell him I've made him a magical shirtParsley, sage, rosemary, and thymeWithout any seam or needlework Always he'll be a true love of mine(Zach:)Tell her she's found me an acre of landParsley, sage, rosemary, and thymeBetween the salt water and the sea strandThat makes her a true love of mineTell her she's plowed it with just a goat's hornParsley, sage, rosemary, and thymeShe's sowed it all over with one grain of cornYes, she is a true love of mineAnd her daughter forever a daughter of mine(Together:)Are you going to Scarborough Fair?Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thymeRemember us to all who live thereOurs will be true love for all time”
“I think you have a right to whine. Honestly, Lucy. We all have the right to whine when life gets tough.”
“THE ELFIN KNIGHTAre you going to Scarborough Fair?Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thymeRemember me to one who lives thereShe must be a true love of mineTell her she'll sleep in a goose-feather bedParsley, sage, rosemary, and thymeTell her I sear she'll have nothing to dreadShe must be a true love of mineTell her tomorrow her answer make knownParsley, sage, rosemary, and thymeWhat e'er she may say I'll not leave her aloneShe must be a true love of mineHer answer came in a week and a dayParsley, sage, rosemary, and thymeI'm sorry good sir, I must answer thee nayI'll not be a true love of thineFrom the sting of my curse she can never be freeParsley, sage, rosemary, and thymeUnless she unravels my riddlings threeShe will be a true love of mineTell her to make me a magical shirtParsley, sage, rosemary, and thymeWithout any seam or needleworkElse she'll be a true love of mineTell her to find me an acre of landParsley, sage, rosemary, and thymeBetween the salt water and the sea strandElse she'll be a true love of mineTell her to plow it with just a goat's hornParsley, sage, rosemary, and thymeAnd sow it all over with one grain of cornElse she'll be a true love of mineAnd her daughters forever possessions of mine”
“People who're nuts never doubt their own sanity. (The Killer's Cousin)”