Taught from infancy that beauty is woman's sceptre, the mind shapes itself to the body, and roaming round its gilt cage, only seeks to adorn its prison.

Summary

This quote highlights the societal pressure placed on women to prioritize and conform to beauty standards. From a young age, women are taught that their worth lies in their physical appearance. Consequently, their minds are shaped to believe that their value is directly tied to how they adorn and enhance their bodies. The metaphor of a "gilt cage" suggests that women are confined by these expectations, limiting their potential for personal growth and development beyond the constraints of their physicality.

Topics