"Ghosts, like ladies, never speak till spoke to"

The quote "Ghosts, like girls, never ever speak till spoke to" by Richard Harris Barham is a reflection of the social norms and beliefs throughout the time it was composed. This statement draws a parallel between 2 seemingly disparate entities: ghosts and girls, suggesting that both are reticent and need prompting before talking.

To unload this quote, one need to think about the context in which it was crafted. Richard Harris Barham resided in the 19th century, a time when gender functions were more rigidly specified, and there was an expectation for ladies to be demure and reserved, particularly in public or male-dominated settings. The notion that "girls never ever speak till spoke with" shows a societal expectation that ladies should wait to be addressed rather than proactively starting discussion. This expectation highlights the standard view of ladies as passive or subordinate in social interactions, which was prevalent in Victorian England and other modern societies.

In drawing a comparison to ghosts, Barham cleverly produces the idea of entities-- both supernatural and social-- that exist on the fringes of understanding and interaction. Ghosts, as culturally understood, are quiet presences that need invocation or recommendation before they manifest audibly or noticeably. This mirrors the concept that ladies, under social restrictions of the time, might have much to state however typically waited on an invitation to express themselves.

The quote might also mention the mystery and unpredictable nature of both ghosts and ladies's voices. Simply as one might fear what a ghost might expose when spoken to, there may be a subtextual tip of the power and knowledge that ladies could wield if and when they decided to speak.

Eventually, Barham's quote captures a cultural picture that invites reflection on the restrictions put on females and the agency they were rejected, hinting at the wider, quiet strength they had and the engaging story let loose when they were lastly given voice.