The quote highlights the societal expectations placed on women, especially regarding motherhood. It emphasizes how judgments about a woman's worth often revolve around her ability to be perceived as a "good" or "bad" mother. This narrow focus reduces a woman's identity to her reproductive role, suggesting that her value is primarily linked to her abilities in parenting.

Furthermore, the statement critiques the way women's lives are often viewed through a lens that prioritizes their biological functions over their individuality. Oates underscores the frustration of being measured by standards that do not fully capture the complexity of a woman's experiences and contributions beyond motherhood.