There is no protection. To be female in this place is to be an open wound that cannot heal. Even if scars form, the festering is ever below.
In the novel "A Mercy" by Toni Morrison, the quote emphasizes the vulnerability experienced by women, particularly in oppressive environments. It suggests that being female is inherently tied to suffering and trauma, where emotional wounds remain raw and unresolved. Even if some healing occurs, there is always a lingering pain beneath the surface, highlighting the ongoing struggle that women face.
The imagery of an "open wound" underlines the idea that women's...