"But I tell you what is my business, and that's the kind of woman you are and the teacher you will be. Up till lately you've always been pretty successful, haven't you? Scholarships, honours, promotions. You're good-looking in a queer sort of way. You're attractive. You're young for your age, and strong, and confident. And you did your work well - up to a point, I think. You were good with the bright ones, Lydia Holly and Biddy Peckover, and the scholarship girls... But what about the stupid and dull and ineffective? The rather dreamy sort of defeated women? You hadn't much use for the defeated, had you? Not much patience with failure. Well, now at last you know what it is to be defeated." Winifred Holtby South Riding
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Maybe not the most uplifting but in context I think it is. I like that South Riding celebrates strong female friendships that aren't bound by being the same age, friendships that help us learn from each other, about each other and about ourselves.
Love it. Especially this bit: "You're good-looking in a queer sort of way".
ReplyDeleteKirsty - I know isn't it a great phrase. Thinking about your great post today the lives of our South Riding friends puts silly # into perspective.
DeleteYou're good-looking in a queer sort of way!! Love it. Kind of a back-handed compliment. Must read Holtby.
ReplyDeleteVintage - South Riding is the first Holtby I've read but I know it won't be the last.
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