Meaning:
This quote by Dorothy Sayers reflects on the idea that age and experience can bring a sense of independence and strength to women that is often seen as uncontrollable or unyielding. It suggests that as women grow older, they become more resilient, self-assured, and unyielding in their beliefs and actions, making them difficult to influence or control.
The quote can be interpreted in various ways, but it seems to highlight the notion that as women age, they become more steadfast in their convictions and less susceptible to societal norms or expectations. It may also suggest that older women have already faced and overcome many challenges, making them less likely to be swayed or influenced by external forces.
Dorothy Sayers, the author of this quote, was a renowned English crime writer, poet, playwright, essayist, and translator. She was a prominent figure in the Golden Age of Detective Fiction and is best known for her detective novels featuring the character Lord Peter Wimsey. Sayers was also a prominent Christian humanist and a classical scholar, and her works often reflected her strong beliefs in social and gender issues.
In the context of her own life and the time in which she lived, Sayers was a trailblazer in many ways. She attended Oxford University at a time when women were not fully integrated into academic life, and she was one of the first women to receive a degree from the university. Throughout her career, Sayers challenged traditional gender roles and societal expectations, and her writings often featured strong and independent female characters.
The quote can be seen as a reflection of Sayers' own experiences and beliefs. It speaks to the idea that as women mature, they become less willing to conform to societal expectations and more inclined to assert their independence and autonomy. It also suggests that older women possess a sense of wisdom and resilience that cannot be easily subdued or controlled.
From a feminist perspective, the quote can be seen as a celebration of the strength and resilience of older women. It challenges the notion that women become more malleable or submissive as they age and instead asserts that they become more formidable and unyielding. It also highlights the idea that older women should be respected for their wisdom and autonomy, rather than being seen as difficult or uncontrollable.
In conclusion, Dorothy Sayers' quote encapsulates the idea that older women possess a strength and resilience that cannot be easily tamed or influenced. It speaks to the independence and autonomy that comes with age and experience, and it challenges societal norms and expectations regarding women's behavior. Sayers' own life and beliefs likely influenced this perspective, and her quote continues to resonate as a powerful reflection of the strength and autonomy of older women.