To be born woman is to know - although they do not speak of it at school - women must labor to be beautiful

To be born woman is to know - although they do not speak of it at school - women must labor to be beautiful

William Butler Yeats, a renowned Irish poet and playwright, often explored themes of beauty, femininity, and the struggles faced by women in his works. In the quote “To be born woman is to know - although they do not speak of it at school - women must labor to be beautiful,” Yeats delves into the societal expectations placed on women to conform to certain standards of beauty. This quote reflects the patriarchal norms and pressures that women have historically faced, and continues to resonate in today’s society.

Yeats’ words highlight the idea that from a young age, women are aware of the importance placed on their physical appearance. The phrase “they do not speak of it at school” suggests that these expectations are ingrained in women’s minds from a young age, even if they are not explicitly taught in educational settings. Women are expected to put in effort and labor to meet these standards of beauty, whether it be through makeup, fashion, dieting, or other means.