An old maid!

"You will be an old maid! and that's so dreadful!"  [Harriet]

"Never mind, Harriet, I shall not be a poor old maid; and it is poverty only which makes celibacy contemptible to a generous public! A single woman, with a very narrow income, must be a ridiculous, disagreeable old maid! the proper sport of boys and girls, but a single woman, of good fortune, is always respectable, and may be as sensible and pleasant as any body else."  [Emma]

Emma, volume 1, chapter 10

I heard a conversation on The View a couple weeks ago which I think almost could have been taken from Emma.  The girls were talking about whether or not single women should settle for a guy they aren't totally romantically in love with (I think the conversation was sparked by Lori Gottlieb's article in The Atlantic -- I have much to say about that! but will save it for later).  Anyway, Barbara was saying how much of a difference money makes, and how much easier it is to be a single woman when money is no issue.  Reminded me of this quote.

Comments

[susan]

Lori-

I just finished reading aWalk with Jane Austen and loved it. It made me long for a trip to England- how I wish the dollar was in better shape. I have Single Truth on order at the bookstore. I just finished the Atlantic Monthly article- will you share your thoughts on it? I am 38 and don't plan on settling yet. What do you think. We certainly know how Jane felt.

[Lori Smith]

Thanks, Susan! Just did an article on Gottlieb. will post an 'official' link, but here it is: http://www.breakpoint.org/listingarticle.asp?ID=7705