Quote by Philip Roth
Only in America do these peasants, our mothers, get their hair dyed platinum at the age of sixty, and walk up and down Collins Avenue in Florida in pedal pushers and mink stoles -- and with opinions on every subject under the sun. It isn't their fault they were given a gift like speech -- look, if cows could talk, they would say things just as idiotic.
Summary
This quote criticizes the superficiality and perceived ignorance of certain individuals in American society. It suggests that in America, even those from humble backgrounds can be seen displaying ostentatious behavior like dyeing their hair and wearing luxurious clothing, while also holding strong opinions on various topics. The quote implies that the ability to speak and express opinions does not necessarily guarantee intelligence or wisdom, using the analogy of cows speaking to illustrate the potential absurdity and inanity of human discourse.
Topics
Mother
By Philip Roth