Judy Blume’s impact on literature, her advocacy for freedom of expression, and her ability to connect with readers of all ages have solidified her status as a literary icon. Her novels are filled with memorable quotes that capture the essence of adolescence, friendship, and self-discovery. These quotes reflect Judy Blume’s ability to capture the complexities of growing up, the humor in everyday life, and the enduring nature of friendships. Her words resonate with readers of all ages and continue to be cherished for their authenticity and insight.
Here are some top quotes from Judy Blume’s works:
Family Dynamics
I just told my mother I wanted a bra. She almost fainted. She was very dramatic. She made me promise not to talk to my father about it. She told me, ‘Men don’t understand these things.
The passage above is from the novel ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret‘. It reflects a common scenario in adolescence where a young girl expresses the desire for a bra to her mother. Margaret’s mother’s reaction, characterized by fainting and drama, humorously emphasizes the awkwardness and sensitivity surrounding discussions about puberty and growing up. The mother’s request not to talk to the father about it suggests a societal norm or stereotype that assumes fathers may be uncomfortable or less knowledgeable about such matters. Overall, the passage captures the nuances and challenges of parent-child communication, particularly regarding topics related to puberty and maturation.
Happiness
I don’t want to be rich. I want to be happy.
This statement is from the book ‘Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself,‘ and it expresses a preference for personal happiness over material wealth. The speaker is asserting that their primary goal or desire in life is not to accumulate wealth or financial success but rather to experience a sense of contentment and joy. It reflects a value placed on emotional well-being and life satisfaction rather than the pursuit of material possessions or financial gains. This sentiment often aligns with the idea that true wealth is found in the quality of one’s life, relationships, and personal fulfillment rather than in the accumulation of monetary wealth.
Nothing is funnier than unhappiness, I grant you that. Yes, yes, it’s the most comical thing in the world.
The statement above is a quote from one of Judy Blume’s novels ‘Superfudge‘. It carries a sense of irony and a perspective that finds humor in the midst of unhappiness or sadness. The speaker acknowledges that, from a certain point of view, there is a peculiar and perhaps dark humor in the human experience of unhappiness. This perspective may reflect a coping mechanism or a way of dealing with difficult emotions by recognizing the absurdity or irony in life’s challenges. It also aligns with the philosophical idea that humor often arises from the incongruity between our expectations and the reality of a situation, even if that situation is one of unhappiness.
Fear and Courage
Sometimes you have to be brave even when you’re scared.
The quote above, from the book ‘Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great,’ conveys the idea that bravery is not the absence of fear but rather the ability to confront and overcome fear despite feeling scared. It emphasizes the courage to take action or face challenges, even in the presence of fear or uncertainty. The message encourages resilience and determination, suggesting that being brave doesn’t mean being fearless but rather pushing through fear to achieve or overcome something. It’s a motivational sentiment that acknowledges the common human experience of fear while highlighting the strength that comes from facing and navigating difficult situations with courage.
Sometimes I think my whole life is nothing but one disaster after another.
The statement above is a quote from the book “Blubber,” and it reflects a sentiment of frustration or disillusionment, suggesting that the speaker perceives their life as a series of continuous and ongoing problems or misfortunes. The use of the word “disaster” emphasizes the severity of these challenges. It’s a common expression people use when they feel overwhelmed or believe that negative events consistently define their experiences. The statement may convey a sense of pessimism or exhaustion, indicating that the speaker feels burdened by difficulties and struggles to find positive aspects in their life.
Nostalgic Feelings
When I’m a hundred and eight and I live in the Plaza, I will have to remember being this age, eleven.
The quote was from the novel ‘Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing,‘ and it expresses the perspective of someone imagining their future self at the age of 108 while currently being eleven years old. The speaker contemplates the idea that when they are much older and living in a prestigious place like the Plaza, they will have to remember what it was like to be eleven. This reflects a nostalgic or reflective tone, suggesting the recognition of the fleeting nature of youth and the inevitability of aging. The speaker anticipates a future where they will look back on their current age with a sense of nostalgia and reflection on the passage of time.
Love and Friendship
In real life, I don’t fall in love with boys. I fall in love with other things, like songs and smells and the way the sun hits the trees.
The quote from “Forever…” conveys that the speaker, in their actual experiences and emotions, doesn’t experience romantic feelings toward boys. Instead, they describe falling in love with non-human elements such as songs, smells, and the natural beauty of sunlight on trees. This sentiment suggests a different or broader perspective on love, emphasizing a connection to sensory experiences and appreciation for the world around them. It might reflect a more nuanced or unconventional view of love, not limited to romantic relationships but inclusive of the beauty and emotional resonance found in various aspects of life.
Friends are the most important ingredient in the recipe of life.
The statement is a quote from the book ‘Just as Long as We’re Together.’ It emphasizes the significance of friendships in life, using the metaphor of a recipe to convey that friends are a crucial and essential element. It suggests that, like ingredients in a recipe that contribute to the overall flavor and success of a dish, friends play a fundamental role in shaping and enriching one’s life. The metaphor implies that friendships bring depth, meaning, and enjoyment to life, much like key components in a recipe contribute to the overall outcome. This sentiment underscores the value and importance of genuine connections with others in the broader context of personal well-being and fulfillment.
Some people never get over their first loves. They spend their whole lives trying to recapture the thrill. Sometimes, after fifty years they get back together. They meet at some reunion or other and realize they were meant to be together.
The statement from the novel ‘Summer Sisters’ reflects the idea that some individuals hold a lasting and sentimental attachment to their first romantic experiences. It suggests that for some people, the intensity and significance of their initial romantic relationships create a lasting impact that shapes their perception of love. The statement also introduces the notion of potential reunions later in life, highlighting the possibility that, even after many years, individuals may reconnect with their first loves, often driven by a sense of destiny or the realization that they were meant to be together. Overall, it speaks to the enduring and powerful nature of early romantic connections in shaping lifelong perspectives on love.
Societal Pressure
Everybody else’s daughter is doing something, why not Deenie?
The quote from the book ‘Deenie‘ suggests a sense of peer or societal pressure on the character Deenie to conform to the activities or achievements of other people’s daughters. The speaker is questioning why Deenie, in this context, isn’t doing something similar to what other girls her age are doing. There’s an implication of societal expectations and a desire for Deenie to align her actions or accomplishments with what is perceived as the norm or what others are doing. It reflects a common theme of societal expectations and the pressure to conform to certain standards or benchmarks.
