She sat still, I thought, and yet she traveled. And when one stitches, the mind travels, not the way men do, with ax and oxen through the wilderness, but surely our traveling counted too, as motion. And I thought of the patience of the stitches. Writing a book, I thought, which men often do, but women only rarely, has the posture of sewing. One hand leads, and the other hand helps. And books, like quilts, are made, one word at a time, one stitch at a time.
The quote reflects on the idea of travel and creation from a woman's perspective, emphasizing that both physical and mental journeys are significant. The character's stillness contrasts with the act of stitching, an activity that allows the mind to wander while remaining in one place. It suggests that even in tranquility, there is a form of movement as thoughts and ideas develop, paralleling the meticulous nature of sewing.
Furthermore, the passage draws a comparison between writing a book and quilting, stating that both require patience and a deliberate process. The metaphor of one hand leading while the other supports highlights the collaborative effort involved in both crafts. Ultimately, it underscores the notion that, though women may not traditionally be recognized for authorship, their creative processes parallel those of men, valuing the art of storytelling as a significant undertaking.
