Women are but the toys which amuse our lighter hours - ambition is the serious business of life

Women are but the toys which amuse our lighter hours - ambition is the serious business of life

In the context of Walter Scott, the quote "Women are but the toys which amuse our lighter hours - ambition is the serious business of life" reflects the societal norms and attitudes towards women during the time in which Scott was writing. Scott was a Scottish novelist and poet who lived during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a time when women were often seen as inferior to men and were expected to fulfill traditional roles as wives and mothers.

In Scott's works, women are often portrayed as secondary characters whose main purpose is to provide support and companionship to the male protagonists. They are often depicted as delicate and fragile creatures who exist solely for the pleasure and amusement of men. This quote suggests that women are not to be taken seriously and are merely there to entertain men during their leisure time.

On the other hand, ambition is portrayed as the serious business of life, something that men should prioritize over their relationships with women. Ambition is seen as a noble pursuit, something that men should strive for in order to achieve success and recognition in society. This quote implies that women are a distraction from the more important goals of ambition and success.

However, it is important to note that this quote reflects the attitudes of the time in which Scott was writing and should not be taken as a reflection of his personal beliefs. Scott's works often feature strong and independent female characters who defy traditional gender roles and expectations. Characters like Rebecca in "Ivanhoe" and Jeanie Deans in "The Heart of Midlothian" challenge the stereotypes of women as mere toys and demonstrate that women are capable of much more than just amusing men.