If it is perfectly acceptable for a widow to disfigure herself or commit suicide to save face for her husband's family, why should a mother not be moved to extreme action by the loss of a child or children? We are their caretakers. We love them. We nurse them when they are sick. . . But no woman should live longer than her children. It is against the law of nature. If she does, why wouldn't she wish to leap from a cliff, hang from a branch, or swallow lye?

About This Quote

About Lisa See, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Lisa See, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.

Themes

  • Death — Contemplations on mortality, loss, and the legacy we leave
  • Family — The ties of kinship, parenting, and unconditional love
  • Love — Quotes exploring romantic love, compassion, and human connection

More quotes by Lisa See, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Related Quotes