Quote by Harriet Martineau
The sum and substance of female education in America, as in England, is training women to consider marriage as the sole object in life, and to pretend that they do not think so.
Summary
This quote suggests that, both in America and England, the primary focus of female education is to teach women to see marriage as their ultimate goal in life. However, society encourages women to act as though they have other aspirations, rather than openly acknowledging their desire for marital fulfillment. This critique highlights the societal expectations and pressures placed on women to prioritize marriage above other facets of their lives and to downplay their own thoughts and feelings on the matter.