How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
But you have told me nothing of yourself. What are you doing?"
"Painting!" laughed Edna. "I am becoming an artist. Think of it!"
"Ah! an artist! You have pretensions, Madame."
"Why pretensions? Do you think I could not become an artist?"
"I do not know you well enough to say. I do not know your talent or your temperament. To be an artist includes much; one must possess many gifts—absolute gifts—which have not been acquired by one's own effort. And, moreover, to succeed, the artist must possess the courageous soul."
"What do you mean by the courageous soul?"
"Courageous, ma foi! The brave soul. The soul that dares and defies." (21.26-32)
According to Mademoiselle Reisz, it takes bravery to be an artist. We might interpret her last sentence as instructing Edna that an artistic soul must dare and defy society.