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About this quote

What does it mean?
Describes a woman who appears calm and composed but lacks the intriguing depth associated with the Sphinx.
In plain terms
She is poised but has no mystery to her.
What can you take from it?
Composure without depth can seem empty.

Where it applies

  • describing acquaintances
  • analyzing social demeanor
  • character sketches

Putting it to work

  • character writing
  • social observation

Questions to consider

  • Is mystery necessary for interest?
  • How do we judge depth in others?

Another view

It equates mystery with value in a person's character.

More from Dorothy Parker

  1. The House Beautiful is, for me, the play lousy.

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  2. Drink and dance and laugh and lie, Love, the reeling midnight through, For tomorrow we shall die! (But, alas, we never do.)

    Permalink to quote #9
  3. That would be a good thing for them to cut on my tombstone: Wherever she went, including here, it was against her better judgment.

    Permalink to quote #6

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