How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
[Gwendolen] had begun to believe in her luck, others had begun to believe in it: she had visions of being followed by a cortege who would worship her as a goddess of luck and watch her play as a directing augury. Such things had been known of male gamblers; why should not a woman have a like supremacy? (1.8)
Sometimes we get the vibe that Gwendolen lives in a world that's not quite ready for her yet. She doesn't want to have to play according to the rules that society dictates for women.
Quote #2
Mrs. Davilow shook her head silently. "It was only last night she said to me, 'Mamma, I wonder how girls manage to fall in love. It is easy to make them do it in books. But men are too ridiculous.'" (7.99)
What's interesting here is the way that Gwendolen shows a distinction between women and men – she finds men ridiculous. She doesn't want to have to fulfill what society tells her is the duty of a woman – to fall in love and get married – because she's not exactly down with the fate that it creates for her.
Quote #3
Anna had risen from her seat, and used the feminine argument of going closer to her papa as she spoke. He did not smile, but he drew her on his knee and held her there, as if to put her gently out of the question while he spoke to Rex. (8.28)
Poor Anna. Sure, she's also young, but we get the impression that her dad doesn't take her hopes and ambitions as seriously as he takes Rex's, mainly because Anna is a woman. She's supposed to sit there and look pretty.