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About this quote

What does it mean?
It explains a condemnation to death for stealing clothes to appear beautiful, noting this desire was illegal for servants.
In plain terms
She was sentenced to die for stealing clothes to look pretty, which was not allowed for servants.
What can you take from it?
Social rules can criminalize basic human desires.

Where it applies

  • historical legal context
  • social critique

Putting it to work

  • critique unjust laws

Questions to consider

  • Who makes the rules?
  • Is desire ever illegal?

Another view

The quote assumes the reader knows the historical context of servants.

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