Elizabeth Spencer

North Carolina · resident1921–2019

American writer

Died in Chapel Hill
Worked at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Quotations with a citation

[M]any of my attitudes had been simply inherited, taken on good faith from those of good faith whom I loved. It seemed like blasphemy to question them , so I had to question myself.

The family assigns unfair roles, and never forgives the one who does not fulfill them. Of course, a sense of freedom is a large part of my own nature. I can’t be straitjacketed.

The year I spent as a reporter was marvelous for me! It took me out of a genteel world, gave me enlightening glimpses into how things went on.

Well, it’s an old habit. It’s sort of like biting your nails. How do you quit? But no, I feel that I’m not quite all there unless I’m working on something.

I don’t mind being called a Southern writer. People have to catalog you in some way so that they can approach you from that angle. What else could they call me?