A Jew's undoing is never his own, it is God's; his rehabilitation is never his own, it is a Christian's

A Jew's undoing is never his own, it is God's; his rehabilitation is never his own, it is a Christian's

Djuna Barnes was an American writer and artist known for her avant-garde style and exploration of themes such as gender, sexuality, and religion. Born in 1892 to a Jewish father and a Christian mother, Barnes grew up in a household that was deeply divided by religious beliefs. This upbringing had a profound impact on her work, as she often grappled with questions of identity, faith, and the role of religion in shaping one's destiny.

The quote, “A Jew's undoing is never his own, it is God's; his rehabilitation is never his own, it is a Christian's,” can be seen as a reflection of Barnes' own struggles with her dual heritage. As a Jewish woman in a predominantly Christian society, Barnes faced discrimination and marginalization throughout her life. She was acutely aware of the ways in which her Jewish identity shaped her experiences and the perceptions of others.