By subscribing to Inspiring Quotes you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edith Wharton’s ninth novel, “The Custom of the Country,” was published in 1913, the same year her 28-year marriage ended in divorce. At a time when divorce was still considered quite scandalous, Wharton explored the suffocating social mores of high society through the book’s protagonist Undine Spragg. Undine is an ambitious young woman from the Midwest who longs for a life of wealth and glamour, no matter the cost. This quote, while spoken in a flirtatious manner to the man who becomes Undine’s lover, reflects Wharton’s shrewd observations about women’s roles in society. Unlike her protagonist, Wharton was born into an affluent family, never had children, and never remarried following her divorce. Seen in that light, Undine’s life choices become a cautionary tale, and this quote echoes Wharton’s perhaps hard-won belief that making a break can sometimes be the best way to mend one’s sense of self-identity.
14 Hilarious Quotes About the Workplace
8 Quotes To Inspire You To Be a Gracious Winner
18 Wintry Quotes To Keep You Warm All Season Long
13 Quotes About the Magic of Winter
14 Hilarious Haikus
11 Fiery Quotes for the Year of the Dragon
12 Hilarious Quotes About Family Get-Togethers
Quotes About How To Be Productive in a Healthy Way
19 Quotes To Keep You Hopeful
14 Heartwarming Quotes From ‘The Great British Bake Off’
The Oldest Jokes in History