She was neither widow nor mother: she only yearned for the dignity of a woman who had once belonged, somewhere, to somebody. She had belonged to no one, for she had never wanted chick nor child. Her idea of home had been any side-alley entrance and a pint of tinted gin. All she had ever striven for was small change left lying by strangers on North Clark Street bars; and any man's bottle at all. Nelson Algren
About This Quote

A woman without children or a husband is thought to be free, but that is not always the case. Many of these women are still stuck in a situation where they need to work for money to support themselves. Not knowing any other way to support themselves they are often trapped in prostitution. This quote displays the hardships of being an independent woman with no one to support her, only yearning for the dignity of a woman who once belonged, somewhere, to somebody.

Source: The Neon Wilderness

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