In "Exiles", Carolyn Steedman tells the story of her childhood in a way to understand parts of her past, and the feelings she has towards her mother and her father. Her mother, forever wanting the "New Look," worked all of her life and demonstrated a strong, independent lifestyle for her children, and also a sense of pride in ones self. This was important to her mother because to her, living in poverty was not acceptable.
             "There's no virtue in poverty,"(656) claimed Edna, her mother. We are led to believe that throughout her childhood, the times in and around World War II, they lived in poverty. Her mother lived day to day, week to week on the money she worked for and the seven pounds given to them by her father each week. They may have lived in near poverty situations, but were always taught to act as if they did not live that way.
             The "New Look" consisted of long, flowing skirts that were expensive to make and other items consisting of fabric costing more than most could afford. Edna, however, would never settle for any less. This can be directly related to the epigram at the beginning of the writing entitled The Weaver's Daughter. "...The servant girls follow the fashions, As well as the best in the place: They'll dress up their heads like an owl, boys, And will think it no shame or disgrace." (645) This draws many similarities to Edna. This particular passage claims that even though they are servant girls, or living in poverty perhaps, they still dress themselves like those of the upper classes. That they are not ashamed of the social class that they are a part of and they will have pride in the people they are. This is similiar to Edna because she would not admit to living in poverty, and was not ashamed of herself.
             "And when they do walk through the streets, boys, No peacock can touch them for pride." (645) These lines refer to the sense of pri...